November marked a very special month for young rower Sarah Rockett from Athlone Boat Club. “Signing day” is a massive occasion and tradition in American collegiate sport where student athletes formally commit to the university where they have chosen to pursue their athletic and academic careers. For Sarah it signalled the end of an 18-month long journey which saw her attracting interest from a number of top NCAA Division 1 universities. After narrowing her options down to 4 universities and visiting each one she decided to take the next steps of her rowing journey and her academic studies with the University of Washington in Seattle. The Washington rowing program is one of thepowerhouse rowing programs of US collegiate rowing and is steeped in proud history and tradition. Sarah will take up her place with the Washington Huskies in September 2026.Seventeen-year-old Sarah is a Leaving Cert student at Our Lady’s Bower where she balances her studies with a very demanding training schedule.
Sarah’s signing is the culmination of absolute dedication, talent and determination both on and off the water. Her junior career so far with Athlone BC has seen her win 2 National Championships, break 3 indoor rowing Irish rowing records and most recently be selected along with her teammate Anna O Grady to represent Ireland at the 2025 World Junior Rowing Championships in Trakai Lithuania. As she enters her final year of junior rowing with Athlone Boat Club she is focussed on building even further on those achievements.
We couldn’t be prouder of Sarah who started rowing at 13 years of age with us. From her early days learning the basicsat Coosan Point to becoming a national champion to being selected along with Anna O Grady for the U19 World Rowing Championships. That selection was truly historic for ABC as they are the first ever female athletes from Athlone Boat Club to reach World Championship level! The club has celebrated multiple male athletes on the world stage but seeing two young women from Athlone achieve this milestone will no doubt inspire future generations of young athletes!
Everyone at Athlone Boat Club would like to wish Sarah the very best of luck over the next few months as she completes her final year of junior rowing and as she looks forward to following the next step of her journey with the Washington Huskies!
