Three Join Michigan in Early Signing Period
12/13/2018 11:00:00 AM | Rowing
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan rowing team announced the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent on Thursday (Dec. 13).
The signing class includes: Elle Caton, Elena Collier-Hazel and Caitlin Esse. These student-athletes will join U-M in the fall of 2019 as freshmen.
"We are thrilled to welcome this group of motivated and capable student-athletes into the Michigan Rowing family," said head coach Mark Rothstein.
"Each of these three future Wolverines brings something special to our program. They are an exceptional group in the classroom and on the water, and we are truly excited to welcome them to our team. In addition to these athletes who have signed letters of intent, we have secured commitments from several other talented and driven athletes. Together, they will help form what we believe to be an impactful signing class for our program, including top rowers and coxswains, bright-minded students and the kind of exceptional individuals from whom we hope to form our roster."
More information on each of the signees (listed alphabetically) can be found below:
Elle Caton
• Attends West Chester East High School
• Four-year honor roll member and National Honor Society member
• Plans to enroll in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts to pursue a degree in the health or medical field
• Member of the South Jersey Rowing Club in Pennsauken, New Jersey
• Placed sixth at 2017 nationals
• Other top finishes include: second place, 2017 Northeast Regionals; 2018 Mid-Atlantic Regionals; fifth place, 2018 Head of the Hooch
• Daughter of Damon and Bonnie Caton
Elena Collier-Hezel
• Attends The Park School of Buffalo
• Plans to enroll in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts
• Competes as part of the West Side Rowing Club in Buffalo, New York
• This fall, placed fifth at the Head of the Charles in the coxed 4 event
• Also finished first in U19 coxed 4 race and second in U19 8 race at the 2017 Canadian Henley
• Also won a gold medal at the 2018 indoor world rowing championships
• Won the 2k event and 20-minute piece at the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints
• Daughter of Matt and Dawn Collier-Hezel
Caitlin Esse
• Attends New Canaan High School
• Plans to enroll in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts
• Currently rows as part of the Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport, Connecticut
• Won a silver medal in junior pairs with Team USA at the 2018 World Rowing Junior Championships
• Back-to-back winner of the varsity eight race at the 2017-18 U.S. Youth National Championships
• Three-time champion in the youth eight at the 2016-18 Head of the Charles Regattas
• Junior women's pair champion at 2018 U.S. Trials
• Winner of the 2018 U.S. Club National Championships in U19 pair, intermediate pair and senior/elite pair events
• Daughter of Annie Arnold and Todd Esse, stepdaughter of Stefano Bruni and Terilyn Esse
