RINDGE, N.H. (June 9, 2015) -- The Franklin Pierce University rowing team has announced its four newest recruits on Tuesday afternoon. Joining the Ravens this fall will be Kyra Fairley, Marykate Cullinane, Mackenzie Hitch and Julia Canova.

"We are very excited to welcome these accomplished young women to our program," said head coach David DeIuliis. "They will be strong contributors to our program as well as our University and I am looking forward to working with them this fall."

Fairley, who hails from Kingston, N.Y., comes to Franklin Pierce from Kingston High School, where she rowed four years on the varsity squad and served as senior captain. She was also a member of the alpine ski team during her time at Kingston, serving as team captain twice. For her work in the classroom and in the community, Fairley was inducted into the National Honor Society. In addition to rowing at the high school level, she was also a member of the Hudson River Rowing Association, where she excelled at the Independence Day Regatta, Philly Youth Regatta and the Royal Canadian Henley. Fairley intends to major in health sciences, with an eye towards being a pharmacist in the future.

Cullinane, a native of Medford, Mass. has spent the last four years as a member of the varsity rowing team at Medford High School. Cullinane served as captain of the varsity team for two years and was also Team MVP in 2014. She has brought home medals from the Massachusetts State Rowing Championships and the Greater Boston League Championships, including gold at both in 2013, and has also rowed in the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Cullinane was also selected to three junior national development rowing camps in 2013 and 2014, and has earned First Boat Greater Boston League All-Star status in each of the last three years. She intends to major in education at Franklin Pierce.

Hitch, who calls Oregon, Ohio home, comes to Rindge from St. Ursula Academy in Toledo, Ohio. While attending St. Ursula, Hitch was on the rowing team for four years and earned numerous medals along the way, including a bronze medal at the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association Championship in the novice 8+ in 2012. She also rowed at 2013 Head of the Charles in the junior 8+.

Canova, from Avon, Conn., was a four-year member of the rowing team at Avon High School and served as captain during her senior year. Canova sat in the three seat of the varsity four which took the silver medal at the Connecticut State Championships. In addition, the same boat finished first at the Mahoney Cup Regatta in Glastonbury, Conn, and posted a third-place finish at the New England Regional Championships last fall. Canova expects to major in health sciences at Franklin Pierce and plans to become a physician's assistant.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce women's rowing apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).