President: Elainna Papandrea
Year: Senior
Major: Biomedical Health Science (Pre-PA)
Years with Purdue Crew: 4
Years of Rowing Experience: 4
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Starboard
Fun Fact: My favorite movie is The Sound of Music.
About Me: I’m Elainna Papandrea and I am from Elkhart, Indiana. I am looking to become a physician's assistant. Some of my favorite hobbies other than rowing would be going on hikes, gardening, and reading. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends especially when we are on the water. I’m beyond grateful to be a part of a team that is incredibly hard-working and enjoys learning from each other.
Secretary: Sophia Hedgepeth
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology
Years with Purdue Crew: 2
Years of Rowing Experience: 1
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Starboard
Fun Fact: I was born in Las Vegas, NV.
About Me: I did a lot of sports throughout my life but was never super connected to any of them other than volleyball. My aunt was a rower so I was familiar with rowing before coming to Purdue. Purdue Crew is all about what you put in and it’s extremely rewarding! In addition to rowing, I also work for Purdue Athletics as an event management intern.
Vice President: Jane Billa
Year: Senior
Major: Computer Science Major, Minors in Psychology, Law & Society
Years with Purdue Crew: 3
Years of Rowing Experience: 3
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Both
Fun Fact: I grew up in Sydney, Australia!
About Me: I'm a senior in Computer Science from Northern Virginia! I started rowing my sophomore year and spend most of my time with my wonderful teammates on and off the water. Some of my other hobbies include watching TV, being outdoors, and napping as often as I can.
Vice President: Nate Hiatt
Year: Senior
Major: Business Analytics and Information Management, Minor in Philosophy
Years with Purdue Crew: 4
Years of Rowing Experience: 9
Position in the Boat: Coxswain
Fun Fact: I have a twin sister who’s cook one in a restaurant on the Orlando Michelin list.
About Me: I’m a senior studying business analytics and information management from Windermere, FL. I joined the team as a freshman after coxing all through high school and I’ve been given so many amazing opportunities and experiences the past 3 years. Outside of rowing I like to bike, run, read, and listen to music. I hope to pursue my masters in business analytics after graduation.
Quartermaster: Syris Dwyer
Year: Junior
Major: Physics, Minor in Nuclear Engineering
Years with Purdue Crew: 3
Years of Rowing Experience: 3
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Both, with a preference for port
Fun Fact: My favorite race was my first 2K at SIRAs. I was stroking the 2N. We lost a three boat length lead against Virginia but then came back to win by open water.
About Me: I have always loved using physics to define the way the world works from tiny quantum particles to huge planets in our solar system. Apart from my degree, I work as a Resident Assistant (RA) for Purdue University. Day to day, balancing crew, school, and RA is complicated but doable especially with the support of my teammates. I also ensure to give back to my community. When it’s not RARs with Purdue Crew, it’s serving with the US Air Honor Guard and leading the Purdue Student Veterans Organization. Back home in Syracuse, NY, I have my parents and three younger siblings to thank for their support. If you ever happen to catch me, count yourself lucky because I’m always running from one thing to another.
Quartermaster: Grace Kennel
Year: Senior
Major: Chemical Engineering, Minor in Chemistry
Years with Purdue Crew: 4
Years of Rowing Experience: 8
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Starboard
Fun Fact: I like alligators.
About Me: From Ann Arbor, MI.
Webmaster: Makayla Malandra
Year: Senior
Major: Creative Writing and Professional Writing, Minor in Theatre
Years with Purdue Crew: 4
Years of Rowing Experience: 7
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Both
Fun Fact: I have a bird named Crosby and a dog named Maverick!
About Me: I'm a senior double-majoring in Creative Writing and Professional Writing from Pittsburgh, PA. I started rowing consistently during my sophomore year of high school, and I never looked back! I joined Purdue Crew because I wanted to continue rowing during college, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm excited to finish my last year of college on the water with my teammates!
Treasurer: Grant Hermann
Year: Senior
Major: Management, Minor in Finance
Years with Purdue Crew: 4
Years of Rowing Experience: 4
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Port
Fun Fact: I scuba dive.
About Me: Outside of practice I like hanging with my teammates, skiing, playing video games, and being outside.
Women’s Rigger: Reagan Bethard
Year: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Years with Purdue Crew: 3
Years of Rowing Experience: 3
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Starboard
Fun Fact: I was a gymnast for 11 years before I came to Purdue and started rowing.
About Me: I am a junior in Mechanical Engineering from Richland, Michigan. I started rowing because I wanted to try a new sport and I needed a new challenge. I love being a part of the team and the community it provides. Outside of crew, I am also a community leader for the Salt Company at The Chapel.
Men's Rigger: Carter Jay
Year: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering Technology
Years with Purdue Crew: 3
Years of Rowing Experience: 3
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Starboard
Fun Fact: I’m hoping to graduate this year as a junior.
About Me: I ran cross country and track from fourth grade to senior year at Carmel High School in Indiana and am going into my third year of rowing for Purdue. I’m a Young Life leader in the Lafayette area and enjoy other sports like waterskiing and mountain biking. A fun side project I have going is a restoration of a 1986 f250 in all of my rare free time.
Publicity Director: Ava Kaiser
Year: Junior
Major: Psychological Sciences and Law & Society
Years with Purdue Crew: 3
Years of Rowing Experience: 3
Position in the Boat: Coxswain
Fun Fact: I have a completely fake front tooth!
About Me: I am from New Haven, Indiana. I ran cross country and track in high school (Go Bulldogs!) and I still love to run in my free time, just a whole lot slower admittedly. I am a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority at Purdue, and this fall I will be a team leader for Boiler Gold Rush! In the future, I plan on pursuing a graduate degree and a career in forensic psychology!
Publicity Director: Brady Hurd
Year: Junior
Major: Data Science, Minor in Environmental Science
Years with Purdue Crew: 3
Years of Rowing Experience: 5
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Starboard
Fun Fact: The word laser stands for something.
About Me: I absolutely love music and nature and whatnot, but over everything I love to win races and have fun with teammates along the way.
Historian: Ruby Lake
Year: Junior
Major: Civil Engineering, concentration in construction
Years with Purdue Crew: 3
Years of Rowing Experience: 6
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Port
Fun Fact: I have lived in three countries, including the US.
About Me: I started rowing with Dayton Boat Club my freshman year of high school and fell in love with the sport. Outside of rowing, I love hiking, going to basketball games (including the Indiana Fever!), cooking, and eating crepes.
Historian: Savi Kolari
Year: Sophomore
Major: Applied Mathematics, Minor in CS
Years with Purdue Crew: 2
Years of Rowing Experience: 2
Position in the Boat: Rower
Preferred Side: Starboard
Fun Fact: I have two German Shepherds!
About Me: Outside crew, I'm a part of the math club and Women in Science club and I also enjoy running in my free time.