Solebury School held a ceremony for senior Kate Shipley on National Signing Day, Nov. 8.
Her parents and coaches surrounded Shipley as she signed her letter of intent to join the women’s rowing program at Villanova University in the fall of 2024. Solebury School offers independent after-school activity credit hours for student-athletes to participate in sports outside of its available programs. Shipley has been rowing for five years and is currently the coxswain for Swan Creek Rowing Club in Lambertville, N.J.
“I’ve been working for this for years, and it’s hard to think that I was in such a different place than I am now. To have the opportunity to go to Villanova is incredible because two years ago, I wouldn’t have thought this could have happened,” Shipley said.
During the signing ceremony, Tony Gambescia, Shipley’s rowing coach from Swan Creek, praised Shipley for the leadership talents she will bring to Villanova’s team.
“When Villanova called, there were three things I told the coach about Kate,” he said. “Kate has great leadership skills, and when she talks, people listen. She’s a great mentor who can use her knowledge to teach younger kids.”
He wrapped up with remarks about her coachability. “When you give someone feedback, and they internalize it and make changes immediately, as a coach, whether it’s rowing or any sport, you can’t ask for more.”
Solebury School coach Tommy Harkanson shared his experience coaching Shipley in lacrosse. “It’s good to see her competitive side in lacrosse. She contributes to the team in such a way that others see how much she wants to win and play well. Her teammates follow that lead, and I imagine it’s probably the same thing in crew. Being a coxswain, she is the leader of the group, so I’m sure that’s a perfect role for her, and I’m sure she’s going to do great at Villanova.”
Shipley wants to major in psychology with a minor in business.
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