VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova Women's Rowing is excited to introduce the class of 2021! These eight young women fit well into the philosophy of the program and the team is very excited to have them on board. They each bring their own unique talents to the team and they are looking forward to their arrival on campus in August. The eight young women who will be newcomers are Maya Grimm, Sophia Haska, Amanda Miller, Abigail Shea, Olivia Thompson, Molly Whalen, Christine Wiedenhoft, and Mary Wright. All eight females come from a variety of quality rowing experience and each female will make a great impact to the team. 

Maya Grimm – Rockledge, Fla.
Winning the State Championship in the Lightweight 4+ at 2016 FSRA Championships highlighted Maya’s high school rowing career. Grimm has a resume full of competitive racing experience with Space Coast Crew. She placed 2nd in the Junior Double at the 2015 FSRA Sculling State Championships; 3rd place in the Lightweight Eight at 2015 Southeast Regionals; 2nd place in the Lightweight Double at 2016 FSRA Sculling State Championships and 3rd place in the Lightweight Four at 2016 Southeast Regionals.

In addition to success on the water, Grimm is strong academically, earning both 2014 National Latin Exam Silver Magna Cum Laude and USRowing Scholastic Honor Roll Honorable Mention.

“I chose Villanova because of its beautiful campus, amazing food, top-ranked business school, and its close proximity to Philadelphia. Villanova has the size and feel of a suburban campus, but is so close to the city that it offers the perks of an urban campus.” In her spare time Maya enjoys running, reading and traveling.

Sophia Haska – Belmont, Mass.

Haska brings her 3 years of experience at Arlington-Belmont Crew to Villanova in fall 2017. She was named captain for the 2016-2017 school year. Haska led the lightweight at Nationals as a junior and Head of the Charles Regatta her senior year. In the last three years Haska has remained undefeated at the MPSRA State Championships.

When she isn’t rowing, Sophia is an exemplary scholar, a member of the National Honor Society in high school; she is planning on studying engineering at Villanova. Haska brings with her, an internship in the Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Scholars program.

“I chose Villanova for the academic and rowing opportunities but I am most excited about the school spirit and close community on campus.”

Amanda Miller – Maple Glen, Pa.

A senior at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Amanda is no stranger to rowing in Philadelphia. A four-year rower at SCH, Miller was awarded MVP her sophomore and junior seasons and was named team captain her senior year. Miller finished 2nd in the Varsity Quad at City Championships in 2016 and 4th place in the Varsity Quad at SRAAs in 2015.

When Amanda isn’t rowing, she can often be found training and competing in triathlons. Miller competed at USA Triathlon's Age Group National Championships last summer where she qualified to compete for Team USA at Triathlon World Championships in Rotterdam in September.

“My dad is an alumni of Villanova, and it has always been a big part of my life growing up. I've been attending Villanova sporting events since I was little and I love the atmosphere and the people on campus.”

Abigail Shea – Pelham, N.Y.

Abi, one of five children, attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich. There, she led the community service committee. Shea began rowing in eighth grade with Pelham Community Rowing Association (PCRA). Her junior year, she started rowing for City Island Rowing (CIR). At CIR, Abi sat 3 seat in the lightweight 4+ at the 2016 junior youth nationals at Mercer Lake.

“I chose Villanova because of the awesome atmosphere it exudes! Its strong academic appeal in combination with the tight knit community formed the best fit for me these next four years! I am excited to meet new people and to experience all that Villanova has to offer!”

Olivia Thompson – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Olivia Thompson earned the title of captain of her rowing team after only one year rowing at North Palm Beach Rowing Club. Thompson’s athleticism has helped her pick up the sport of rowing quickly.

Thompson has maintained her spot on the “Head of School’s List,” a prestigious academic achievement at The Benjamin School. As both an AP scholar and placing nationally at Harvard Model Congress, Olivia has proven herself both an influential athlete and scholar. When she isn’t rowing or studying, Olivia can be found on the beach with her dog or teaching swim lessons.

“I chose Villanova for the academic rigor and prestige of the University, as well as the welcoming, safe environment I felt when I visited campus. I felt right at home immediately on campus, and really admired my new coaches' goals of empowering and nourishing women as athletes and as people. I'm excited to be a part of a group of driven, motivated girls that value school and rowing as much as I do.”

Molly Whalen - Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

Whalen, a rower from Mount Saint Joseph’s Academy will bring local success to the Villanova Women’s Rowing team. Molly is decorated with gold medals from City Championships (2015 & 2016) as well as the renowned Stotesbury Cup Regatta in 2015 and 2016. She earned a gold medal from the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships in 2016.

Whalen is an honors student at Mount Saint Joseph's Academy and a member of the National Honor Society. Molly brings an outgoing personality and positive attitude to Villanova Rowing.

“I chose Villanova because of the Wildcat pride. I was looking for a school with unwavering, fierce school spirit and a great sense of community on and beyond campus - and what school has better spirit and community than Villanova? I am most excited for all the sporting events at Villanova next year. I love watching all sports and nothing is better than a whole school coming out to support their team!”

Christine Wiedenhoft – Rockville Centre, N.Y.

Wiedenhoft has been coxing the last four years for Sagamore Crew. She was named team captain for the 2016-2017 season. She led her boat to a top ten finish at the 2016 Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Massachusetts.

Off the water Wiedenhoft was a four-year honor roll student, a member of the National Honor Society and Music Honor Society. A recipient of the Magnum Cum Laude National Latin Exam award, and a four-year member of the student council (2014-2017), Christine will bring a strong academic character to the team.

“I chose Villanova because of the overwhelming sense of community and great academics. I can’t wait to get involved on campus and to be apart of all that Villanova has to offer.

Mary Wright – McAllen, Texas

Mary Wright comes to Villanova as a four-year member of the Culver Academy Crew team. While at Culver, Wright was a member of both the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+. A multi-sport athlete

Wright was a member of the swim team for two years. Wright was a member of the honor roll and a Community Service Council Representative. When she isn’t rowing, Mary can be round running, skiing in the winter and waterskiing in the summer.

“I chose Villanova because the community looked fun and supportive. I am most excited to row, meet new friends, and explore Philadelphia.”