Sophomore Gracie Shepherd was selected onto the FSN Spring Athlete Watchlist for Women’s Rowers and Coxswains, announced by the For the Stars Network on Wednesday.
Shepherd enters her sophomore season after a strong freshman campaign where she was awarded Outstanding Freshman of the Year by the Kansas Women’s Rowing team. In her first year in the program, Shepherd predominantly raced on the 1 Varsity 8+ and 2 Varsity 8+ boats and was a member of the 1 Varsity 8+ squad that won Big 12 Boat of the Week on May 8, 2024.
This past fall, Shepherd helped the Women’s Club 4+ boat to a victory at the Head of the Charles, the world’s largest three-day regatta, in a race that featured 50 boats. She was also a part of the Collegiate Varsity 8+ boat that won at the Jayhawk Jamboree.
Prior to Kansas, the native of Haviland, Ohio, was a three sport athlete at Wayne Trace High School, earning 11 total letters throughout her volleyball, basketball and track and field career.
For the Stars Network selected over 170 athletes, including 10 from the Big 12, across 93 Division I teams who are on the rise within their programs. Selection is based on race results, ergometer times, coach recommendations, independent research, the athlete’s improvement within the team and positive trajectory from the previous season and semester.
Shepherd, along with the rest of the Jayhawk rowers, will begin official spring competition on March 28-29 at the Sunshine State Invite in Sarasota, Florida.
