University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Gusick Earns Spot On Preseason ACC Watch List
February 25, 2026 | Women's Rowing
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Heading into her sophomore season in Carolina Blue, North Carolina rowing's Ella Gusick has earned a spot on the Preseason Atlantic Coast Conference Watch List. In its third season, the Preseason ACC Watch List recognizes one rower from each of the 12 league schools with rowing programs.
The Henderson, Nev., native enters year two in Chapel Hill coming off a stellar rookie season as a member of the V8 boat in each race in 2025. Gusick participated in 11 races throughout five regattas and assisted UNC to a first-place finish in the V8 at the Rocky Top Invite. She also raced with the V8 crew at the ACC Championships at Clemson, earning a first-place finish in the Petite Finals.
The Tar Heels are set to hit the water in less than a month, opening the season on March 14 at the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invite in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
For up-to-date information on UNC Rowing, visit GoHeels.com/Rowing and follow on X (@UNCRowing), Instagram (@uncrowing) and Facebook (Facebook.com/UNCRowing).
2026 Preseason ACC Rowing Watch List
Molly Devine, Jr., Boston College
Minou Bouman, Sr., California
Rose Imbesi, Sr., Clemson
Lena Mills, Sr., Duke
Macy Whisenand, Sr., Louisville
Naroa Zubimendi Varela, Sr., Miami
Ella Gusick, So., North Carolina
Emma Hospsicker, Jr., Notre Dame
Sophia Dooley, Sr., SMU
Emma Bagrie, Fr., Stanford
Kateryna Ustiuzhanina, Gr., Syracuse
Elsa Hartman, Sr., Virginia
The Henderson, Nev., native enters year two in Chapel Hill coming off a stellar rookie season as a member of the V8 boat in each race in 2025. Gusick participated in 11 races throughout five regattas and assisted UNC to a first-place finish in the V8 at the Rocky Top Invite. She also raced with the V8 crew at the ACC Championships at Clemson, earning a first-place finish in the Petite Finals.
The Tar Heels are set to hit the water in less than a month, opening the season on March 14 at the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invite in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
For up-to-date information on UNC Rowing, visit GoHeels.com/Rowing and follow on X (@UNCRowing), Instagram (@uncrowing) and Facebook (Facebook.com/UNCRowing).
2026 Preseason ACC Rowing Watch List
Molly Devine, Jr., Boston College
Minou Bouman, Sr., California
Rose Imbesi, Sr., Clemson
Lena Mills, Sr., Duke
Macy Whisenand, Sr., Louisville
Naroa Zubimendi Varela, Sr., Miami
Ella Gusick, So., North Carolina
Emma Hospsicker, Jr., Notre Dame
Sophia Dooley, Sr., SMU
Emma Bagrie, Fr., Stanford
Kateryna Ustiuzhanina, Gr., Syracuse
Elsa Hartman, Sr., Virginia
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
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