Hawkeyes Officially Announce Eight Signees

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa rowing coach Jeff Garbutt announced on Monday that eight student athletes officially signed to compete for the Hawkeyes.

“We’re really excited about this class. It’s a class of athletes and most importantly, leaders. They’re the kind of women that embody our culture and what it means to be a Hawkeye. They’ll fit right in with who we are, and the team can’t wait to welcome them to Iowa City in August!”

EMMA RAYNER
Coming out of Marlow Rowing Club in Marlow, England, Emma Rayner was the 2021 UK National Schools Regatta Champion and the 2021 Henley Women’s Regatta Champion in the J16 4x. Emma along with her twin Annabel will be following the footsteps of current Iowa junior Emma Dabinett, also from the Marlow Rowing Club. Rayner will plan to study Exercise Science while at Iowa.

JEFF GARBUTT on EMMA RAYNER
“We are excited to have Emma join our program. She has had a stellar junior rowing career at the Marlow Rowing Club in the United Kingdom, and we are excited for to bring her experience and talent to Iowa City.”

ANNABEL RAYNER
Rayner, also out of Marlow Rowing Club will be joining the Hawkeyes as a 2-time UK National Schools Regatta Champion. Those titles come from the Champ 4x in 2022 and the J16 4x in 2021. That same 2021 J16 4x entry won the Henley Women’s Regatta with Rayner in the two seat. Annabel plans to study Exercise Science while at Iowa.

JEFF GARBUTT on ANNABEL RAYNER
“Annabel is one of the top junior rowers in Great Britain, also rowing with her sister Emma at the Marlow Rowing Club. Her pedigree as a competitor will be a great addition to our program.”

KAREN CAREY
Karen Carey will come to Iowa from Cappoquin Boat Club in Waterford Co., Ireland. Karen started rowing by jumping in any boat possible in order to gain an opportunity to compete. She competed in many races as the “spare” for the men’s crews, and often found herself filling in. That determination earned her a spot on the junior team for Ireland’s Home International Regatta in 2022. Karen comes from the same club as current graduate student, and member of the 1V8 Lisa Murphy. Karen plans to study Engineering while at Iowa.

JEFF GARBUTT on KAREN CAREY
“We found Karen in Cappoquin, Ireland. Her toughness and competitive drive stood out to us throughout the recruiting process, and we are excited to welcome her and the intensity she brings to the program.”

MEGHAN HARRIS
Harris has traded in her skis for oars as she joins the Hawkeyes from Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Meghan has spent the last few months training at the Row Ontario Next-Generation Performance Centre after being identified as an up-and-coming rower in Canada. Prior to that, she spent most of her athletic career competing in Ski Cross culminating in winning the Ontario U19 Provincial Championships. With rowing in the family, Meghan first competed with her sister in the U23 2x at the 2022 Row Ontario Provincial Championships where the duo captured the silver medal. Meghan plans to study Psychology while at Iowa.

JEFF GARBUTT on MEGHAN HARRIS
“Meghan is newer to the sport of rowing, growing up she competed in alpine skiing, but transitioned to rowing through Canada’s Next Gen program. After choosing to focus on rowing, Meghan has shown great potential. We are excited to see her grow here in Iowa.”

ISSY ALLEN
Allen is coming out of Brisbane, Australia as the 2020 & 2021 High School Sportswoman of the Year. For the 2022 year, Issy earned an All-State selection for the Queensland Schoolgirls Rowing Team. Outside of rowing, Issy saw success in swimming and water polo, earning the Coach’s Award in both. Allen plans to study Exercise Science and Business while at Iowa.

JEFF GARBUTT on ISSY ALLEN
“Issy demonstrated great maturity throughout the recruiting process. She fits exactly who we are as a program, and we are excited to see how she makes an impact at Iowa.”

EVAN SCHWICKERATH
Schwickerath is a successful swimmer ready to transfer over her athleticism into rowing for the Hawkeyes. As a senior captain, Evan started her career with the Waukee Warriors as the 2020 Freshman of the Year and finished as a senior caption leading her team to their second Team State Championship (2021 & 2022). She’s won the Leadership Award and multiple Academic Awards throughout her time at Waukee. Evan plans to study Engineering with a Business Minor while at Iowa.

JEFF GARBUTT on EVAN SCHWICKERATH
“Evan is a Hawkeye through and through. She has been one of Iowa’s top ranked swimmers at Waukee. Her family has strong Hawkeye roots, and we are thrilled for her to join our program.”

ABBY ENSENBERGER
Ensenberger, also with a swimming background, will join the Hawkeyes to begin her rowing career. Abby has been a WIAA Division 1 High School State Qualifier for swimming in 2020, 2021, and 2022. She received the 2020 All-State Award for Achievement and will plan to study Pre-Physical Therapy at Iowa.

JEFF GARBUTT on ABBY ENSENBERGER
“Abby is another high-level swimmer joining our program. From Wisconsin, she is another Homegrown Hawkeye for our signing class. We cannot wait to see how her athletic potential transitions to rowing.”

LAUREN ADAMS
Adams will bring her talents over from Volleyball and Track & Field as one of our Homegrown Hawkeyes. Continuing the theme of leadership, Lauren was the 2022 Team Captain of her volleyball team on her way to earning a spot as a 2nd Team All-Conference recipient. Lauren saw even more success in Track and Field as a 2021 & 2022 State Qualifier and Most Outstanding Female Athlete. Not to be outdone by her talents in the classroom, she was an Academic Letter Recipient, Academic Pin Recipient, and a Public Relations Officer for the National Honor Society. Adams plans to study Nursing and Public Health at Iowa.

JEFF GARBUTT on LAUREN ADAMS
“Lauren is a special multi-sport athlete. Throughout the recruiting process, we were amazed at her athletic ability and who she is as a person. Lauren will be a great fit for our program.”

Garbutt additionally signed Carissa Cochico and Sophie Pepper in the month of June 2023.