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Rowing Welcomes 11 to 2027 Signing ClassRowing Welcomes 11 to 2027 Signing Class

Rowing Welcomes 11 to 2027 Signing Class

by Ainsley Keaveny

ORLANDO - The UCF rowing team has announced the signing of 11 athletes that are set to join the helm for the 2027-28 season.

The incoming class spans between three countries and five states bringing international talent to Orlando. This group includes: Amy Steel, Alice Lançon-Tachikawa, Poppy Clothier, Olivia-Grace Boyd, Mikaela Ninou, Ellie Thwaites, Ella Hardman, Emma Sander, Lily Harhi, Saylor Hurd and Sarah Sahl.

“Really impressed with the group of recruits we have committed for the class of 2031. They are hardworking, passionate about rowing and want to be part of the culture we have here. They are going to be a big part of where this team is headed and can't wait for them to get here.”

Mara AllenHead Coach

Olivia-Grace Boyd 

  • Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
  • High School: Homeschool 
  • Rowing Club: Tristar 
  • Prior to UCF: 2nd out of 12 in women’s youth 2x at Secret City Head Race. 1st out of 5 in Mixed Junior 8+ at Secret City Head Race. 12th out of 85 in Women’s Youth Fours at HOCR.

Poppy Clothier 

  • Hometown: Somerset, England
  • High School: Millfield School 
  • Rowing Club: Millfield School Boat Club 
  • Prior to UCF: 2025 JIRR J16 2- 2nd. 2025 Brit Champs WClub 4+ 2nd. 2026 Brit Champs WClub 2- 2nd. 2026 Henley Women’s WJ18 1x Qualifier. 2026 Home International Beach Sprints England JMix2x Winner. 2026 World Beach Sprint Finals U19 reserve for GB. 

Ella Hardman 

  • Hometown: Nottingham, England
  • High School: The West Bridgford School  
  • Rowing Club: Nottingham and Union Rowing Club 
  • Prior to UCF: Finished first place at the British Championships 2026, in a junior double. Qualified a junior quad into the Dansfield Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta 2026. Semi-finalist for Henley women's 2026 in a double, quarter-finalist the year before in a four. 5th at national schools in a double, 2026. 3rd in a single at JIRR ( j16), 2025. 
OLIVIA-GRACE BOYD
POPPY CLOTHIER
ELLA HARDMAN

Lily Harhi 

  • Hometown: Winter Garden, Florida 
  • High School: Horizon High School
  • Rowing Club: Orlando Area Rowing Society  
  • Prior to UCF: 3rd at USRowing Youth Nationals 2023 in WU15 4x+. 7th at USRowing Youth Nationals 2024 in WU17 8+. State Champions at FSRA Sweep States 2024 in Women's Junior 8+. 

Saylor Hurd 

  • Hometown: Arcadia, Indiana 
  • High School: Homeschool 
  • Rowing Club: Indy Rowing 
  • Prior to UCF: 2026 Junior Nationals - Womens Youth 1V4X Bronze. 2026 Head of the Charles - Womens Youth 1V4X+ Bronze. 2025 Head of the Hooch - Womens Youth 1V4X Gold.

Alice Lançon-Tachikawa

  • Hometown: Newcastle, England 
  • High School: St Thomas More Catholic School 
  • Rowing Club: Tyne Amateur Rowing Club 
  • Prior to UCF: Quarter Final at Henley Royal Regatta in the Thames Cup 2025. Pre-Qualification and seed at Henley Royal Regatta in the Wargrave Cup 2025, 2026. 2x Quarter Finalist at Henley Women's Regatta. 2x A-Final at National Schools Regatta in Championship 4+. Bronze Medalist at Junior British Championships.

Mikaela Ninou 

  • Hometown: Ashburn, Va.
  • High School: Riverside High School 
  • Rowing Club: Maverick Rowing Club 
  • Prior to UCF: In the 1V4 category in 2026, Won the VASRA State Championship, was Stotesbury Cup Grand Finalist and won petite finals at SRAA Nationals. First Team All State and received the MVP Award for her high school team.
ROW SIGN 5
SAYLOR HURD
ALICE LANCON
MIKAELA NINOU

Sarah Sahl 

  • Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • High School: Saline High School 
  • Rowing Club: Washtenaw Rowing Center and Saline Crew
  • Prior to UCF: 4th in 1x at Scholastic Midwest.

Emma Sander 

  • Hometown: Schwerin, Germany
  • High School: Abendgymnasium Schwerin 
  • Rowing Club: Schweriner Ruder Gesellschaft 
  • Prior to UCF: 5th place at Worlds and Europeans in the 8+. Four time German Champion, coxed 4+ and 8+ and one time second place at German Champion Chip in the 8+. 

Amy Steel

  • Hometown: Maidenhead, England
  • High School: Newlands Girls School
  • Rowing Club: Maidenhead Rowing Club
  • Prior to UCF: Prequalified for Henley royal regatta 2026 and made it to the quarterfinals. Came 4th at National schools regatta 2026. Qualified and made it to Thursday of Henley royal regatta 2025. All of these were in the junior women’s quad category.

Ellie Thwaites 

  • Hometown: Norwich, England 
  • High School: Norwich School 
  • Rowing Club: Norwich School Boat Club (NSBC) 
  • Prior to UCF: National schools 2026- A Finals WJ18 4+. Henley Womens 2026- Quarter finals WJ18 4+. Trialing for GB- Race offs. JIRR- 6th WJ16 1x.
SARAH SAHL
EMMA SANDER
AMY STEEL
ELLIE THWAETS