Dec. 16, 2004

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina rowing team has signed Laura Chase McGehee to a National Letter of Intent, UNC coach Sarah Haney announced Thursday. McGehee will join the squad in the fall of 2005.

"We are very excited to have Laura Chase attend UNC in the fall," Haney said. "She is a true Carolina fit. Laura Chase brings athletic maturity, enthusiasm for Carolina Rowing and for rowing in general, and speed that complements the goals Carolina Rowing has for the future. We look forward to having her on our team."

McGehee attends Walt Whitman High in Bethesda, Md., where she rows for her school and for Thompsons Boat Center. She also has been a member of the U.S. Junior Competitive Team.

McGehee has earned outstanding finishes in a number of prestigious events, including firsts in the junior women's eight at the Head of the Occoquan and the Occoquan Chase, second in the junior women's eight at the Head of the Schuykill, third in the women's open eight at the Occoquan Chase and third at the 2003 Midatlantic Sprints (1500 meters).

An all-around athlete, McGehee has rowed for the last four years and also participates in field hockey, basketball, lacrosse and tennis.

The UNC rowing team begins spring competition on March 26, when the Tar Heels travel to Washington, D.C., to take on Indiana and host Georgetown.