Completed Event: Rowing at Head of the Charles on October 17, 2025 , , NTS
/
Final
Rowing
at Head of the Charles
Duke Rowing Recruit Spotlight: Brenna Morley
2/7/2020 1:37:00 PM | Rowing
DURHAM, N.C. - Head Coach Megan Cooke Carcagno and the Duke rowing program are pleased to announce the addition of Brenna Morley to compete for the Blue Devils in the fall of the 2020-21 season.
A native of Bettendorf, Iowa, Morley currently attends Pleasant Valley High School in Riverdale, Iowa, and competes for Y Quad Cities Rowing. A member of the 2019 USRowing Junior National Team, she won the quad at the 2019 USRowing Youth National Championships as well as the lightweight double at the 2017 and 2018 Youth National Championships. The 2019 win in the quad made it her clubs sixth consecutive national championship in the respective event. Morley recently helped her crew take home first place in the women's double at the 2019 Head of the Charles Regatta after finishing in second a year prior. She also won gold in the U17 double at the 2018 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.
Morley is the daughter of Jim and Myra and the sister of James, Siobhan and Erin. She is a member of the National Honors Society and an all-state band member.
What has been your favorite rowing memory?
BM: One of my favorite memories was when my team entered a mixed 8 at our local head race. We only practiced once, and for most of us it was our first time sweeping. We had a blast going down the course, and even won by almost six minutes.
My other favorite moments have been laughing and spending time with my teammates. We are very close, and I love the memories that we have made throughout the years.
How did you get started in rowing?
BM: I started rowing during the summer before 8th grade because my local YMCA had a poster for a Learn to Row class, and I thought that it looked interesting. After the first class, I was hooked and have been rowing ever since.
Why did you choose Duke?
BM: I chose Duke because it is the perfect combination of excellent academics and competitive athletics. The team has a strong sense of community and school pride, and girls are very close. There is a lot of support for the athletes and many opportunities that are unique to Duke, and after I visited I knew that it was the place where I wanted to be.
#GoDuke
Â
A native of Bettendorf, Iowa, Morley currently attends Pleasant Valley High School in Riverdale, Iowa, and competes for Y Quad Cities Rowing. A member of the 2019 USRowing Junior National Team, she won the quad at the 2019 USRowing Youth National Championships as well as the lightweight double at the 2017 and 2018 Youth National Championships. The 2019 win in the quad made it her clubs sixth consecutive national championship in the respective event. Morley recently helped her crew take home first place in the women's double at the 2019 Head of the Charles Regatta after finishing in second a year prior. She also won gold in the U17 double at the 2018 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.
Morley is the daughter of Jim and Myra and the sister of James, Siobhan and Erin. She is a member of the National Honors Society and an all-state band member.
What has been your favorite rowing memory?
BM: One of my favorite memories was when my team entered a mixed 8 at our local head race. We only practiced once, and for most of us it was our first time sweeping. We had a blast going down the course, and even won by almost six minutes.
My other favorite moments have been laughing and spending time with my teammates. We are very close, and I love the memories that we have made throughout the years.
How did you get started in rowing?
BM: I started rowing during the summer before 8th grade because my local YMCA had a poster for a Learn to Row class, and I thought that it looked interesting. After the first class, I was hooked and have been rowing ever since.
Why did you choose Duke?
BM: I chose Duke because it is the perfect combination of excellent academics and competitive athletics. The team has a strong sense of community and school pride, and girls are very close. There is a lot of support for the athletes and many opportunities that are unique to Duke, and after I visited I knew that it was the place where I wanted to be.
#GoDuke
Â
Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
Saturday, October 19
Welcome to Duke
Saturday, October 19
A Century of Blue Devil Brilliance
Saturday, October 19
BDN Studios Presents: Relentless
Friday, October 11
