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Duke Rowing Recruit Spotlight: Sofia Papini
8/1/2023 12:37:00 PM | Rowing
DURHAM – Duke rowing will welcome another standout recruiting class to the mix for the 2023-2024 campaign as head coach Megan Cooke Carcagno announced the signing of graduate transfer Sophia Papini on Tuesday.
Papini comes to Durham after graduating with her degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in May. The Long Beach, Calif., native served as the coxswain in the Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Eight boats during her four seasons with the Bruins. During her senior year campaign, Papini coxed the Varsity Eight to a first-place finish in the Big Ten Invitational in Sarasota, Fla., and a second-place finish in the Dexter Lake Invitational in Lowell, Ore. Papini also earned a spot on the Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll in three straight seasons.
During the summer, GoDuke.com will be spotlighting each of the 17 newcomers.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Sophia Papini: I felt it was the perfect place to continue pursuing an excellent balance of academics and athletics.
GD: How did you get started in rowing?
SP: I started rowing after being injured as a gymnast, dancer and cheerleader. I fell in love with being out on the water after being stuck in a gym for 15 years of my life.
GD: What has been your favorite rowing memory?
SP: My favorite memory was beating USC at the UCLA/USC dual during the 2020-2021 season. I was coxswain of UCLA's varsity eight boat.
GD: What stuck out to you about the team in your decision-making process that made the decision feel right?
SP: The supportive team culture and environment stuck out to me the most. The energy of the team makes competition fun.
GD: What do you hope to do after graduation?
SP: I'd like to either work in consulting or luxury fashion.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils rowing, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeROW".
#GoDuke
Papini comes to Durham after graduating with her degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in May. The Long Beach, Calif., native served as the coxswain in the Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Eight boats during her four seasons with the Bruins. During her senior year campaign, Papini coxed the Varsity Eight to a first-place finish in the Big Ten Invitational in Sarasota, Fla., and a second-place finish in the Dexter Lake Invitational in Lowell, Ore. Papini also earned a spot on the Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll in three straight seasons.
During the summer, GoDuke.com will be spotlighting each of the 17 newcomers.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Sophia Papini: I felt it was the perfect place to continue pursuing an excellent balance of academics and athletics.
GD: How did you get started in rowing?
SP: I started rowing after being injured as a gymnast, dancer and cheerleader. I fell in love with being out on the water after being stuck in a gym for 15 years of my life.
GD: What has been your favorite rowing memory?
SP: My favorite memory was beating USC at the UCLA/USC dual during the 2020-2021 season. I was coxswain of UCLA's varsity eight boat.
GD: What stuck out to you about the team in your decision-making process that made the decision feel right?
SP: The supportive team culture and environment stuck out to me the most. The energy of the team makes competition fun.
GD: What do you hope to do after graduation?
SP: I'd like to either work in consulting or luxury fashion.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils rowing, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeROW".
#GoDuke
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