ORLANDO - The UCF rowing team has announced the signing of a dozen student-athletes on National Signing Day. The group will join the Knights for the 2025-26 season.
The group of signees include Kaitlyn Ringvelski, Avery Weiner, Shiloh Hicks, Tea Zivkovic, Edith Herndon, Julia Latham, Lujza Kovács, Aileen Ghomian, Maci Brede, Rylie Gillis, Madison Lovejoy, and Aisling Landers. Eight different states and a total of three countries are represented by the 12 signees. More about where they're from and what they've achieved thus far in their careers are below.
Kaitlyn Ringvelski
Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla.
High School: Lawton Chiles High School
Rowing Club: Capital City Rowing
Prior to UCF: Received a bronze medal in 2021 at the USRowing Southeast Regional Championships and silver medals in 2022 and 2023 at the North Florida Districts in the W4+.
Avery Weiner
Hometown: Highlands, N.J.
High School: Ranney School
Rowing Club: Mercer Rowing
Prior to UCF: Placed first in 2023 and 2024 in 2k Rumson-Fair Haven Erg Challenge, and first in 2024 U19 2k at Winter Watt Farm Erg Race.
Shiloh Hicks
Hometown: Lorton, Va.
High School: South County High School
Rowing Club: South County Crew
Prior to UCF: Named state champion in the WJ8+ in 2022 and 2023, and placed second in the state championship in 2024 in W4+.
Tea Zivkovic
Hometown: Belgrade, Serbia
High School: Republic of Serbia Sports High School
Rowing Club: Serbian Rowing Team
Prior to UCF: Rowed for Serbian Rowing and won the Balkan Championship in both 2023 and 2024.
Edith Herndon
Hometown: Chickamauga, Ga.
High School: Baylor School
Rowing Club: Baylor School Women’s Rowing
Prior to UCF: Received a silver medal in 2023 at the SRAA Championship in the JV4+. Placed first in 2022 and 2023 TN/GA Team State Championships, and first at the 2023 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships in the V2 4+.
Julia Latham
Hometown: Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
High School: Egg Harbor Township
Rowing Club: Egg Harbor Township Crew
Prior to UCF: Received silver medal at 2024 Stotesbury Regatta in the 2V4.
Lujza Kovács
Hometown: Budapest, Hungary
High School: Berzsenyi Dániel Gimnázium
Rowing Club: Budapest Rowing Club
Prior to UCF: In 2024, placed first and second in the World Rowing Indoor Championship and third in Coupe de la Jeunesse.
Aileen Ghomian
Hometown: Houston, Texas
High School: William P. Clements
Rowing Club: Greater Houston Rowing Club
Prior to UCF: In addition to rowing, competes in water polo, being named team captain for two years.
Maci Brede
Hometown: Lenoir City, Tenn.
High School: Webb School of Knoxville
Rowing Club: Atomic Rowing Club
Prior to UCF: In 2024, placed first in Southeast Youth Regionals Championship and 10th in USRowing Youth Nationals Championship.
Rylie Gillis
Hometown: Largo, Fla.
High School: Clearwater Central Catholic
Prior to UCF: Plays basketball and competes in track for Clearwater Central Catholic, as well participates in equestrian events.
Aisling Landers
Hometown: San Francisco, Calif.
High School: St. Ignatius College Prep
Rowing Club: St. Ignatius College Prep Women’s Rowing
Prior to UCF: Named team captain at St. Ignatius College Prep rowing. Won bronze at 2024 Head of the Lake regatta and placed fourth at the Scholastic Nationals in the 2V8 as a walk-on novice.
Madison Lovejoy
Hometown: Marietta, Ohio
High School: Marietta
Rowing Club: Harvard Rowing Club
Prior to UCF: Named team captain of Harvard Rowing Club. Placed third, fifth, and 13th at 2023 Nationals, third at 2023 Stotesbury Cup, and named two-time Midwest Champion.