May 12, 2006

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Coxswain Vashti Chandler has signed a letter of intent with the North Carolina rowing team, UNC coach Sarah Haney announced Friday. Chandler, who is from Basalt, Colo., will join the team this fall.

"Vashti has experience on many different levels and she has proven that she can motivate her crews in all environments," Haney said. "We are excited about what Vashti will bring to Carolina and I look forward to working with her during her career here."

Chandler attends the Kent School in Kent, Conn., where she has competed on the varsity crew team for the last four years. She spent her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons in the girls' first boat, winning the Connecticut state championship each year. In 2005, she directed her boat to the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association (NEIRA) championship after finishing second the previous two years. As a senior, she is a team co-captain and is the coxswain for the first boat on the boys' team.

In addition to interscholastic competition, Chandler has raced internationally, placing second at the women's 2005 Henley Regatta and winning the juniors eights race and the seniors 3 eights race at the 2005 Reading Amateur Regatta.

She also has been a four-year member of the varsity swimming team and a three-year member of the diving team. She has made the honor roll in each of the last four years.

Chandler joins three fall signees - Elizabeth Gardiner, Megan McMullin and Priscilla Poor - in the 2006-07 incoming freshman class.