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Photo by: David Kaplan
'U' Rowers Klassen, Rish Named to FSN Watchlist
2/5/2026 12:00:00 PM | Rowing
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - Kimberly Klassen and Emilie Rish from the University of Minnesota rowing team were named to the 3rd Annual For Stars Network Division I Watchlist, it was announced Thursday. A total of 196 student-athletes were chosen from 94 teams.
Klassen is in her third season with the Golden Gophers after getting her start as a walk-on to the novice squad as a freshman in 2023-24. She has quietly stacked momentum across her first two seasons, racing in every regatta last spring while helping power the Maroon and Gold's 2V8 to multiple podium finishes and head-to-head victories. From opening the year strong at Rocky Top to closing the Big Ten Championship in the Grand Finals, she's proven she can deliver when the competition tightens. After a freshman campaign that included three-straight dual wins and a B1G bronze medal, her trajectory keeps pointing upward. A native of Melrose, Minn., she also earned the CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award and was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar for her efforts in the classroom a year ago
Similar to her teammate, Rish continues year three with Minnesota rowing as a former walk-on program in 2023-24. Hailing from Hermantown, Minn., she has surged into the heart of the varsity lineup, competing in all six regattas last season and anchoring the 1V8 through a spring full of top finishes and statement wins. From back-to-back victories at the Big 12/Big Ten Double Dual to strong showings at Rocky Top and the B1G Championship, she's shown she can thrive against top competition. Add in a freshman year highlighted by dual sweeps and a Big Ten medal run, and the foundation is rock solid for Rish. She also landed on the 2025 Academic All-Big Ten Team.
The FSN Watchlist features student-athletes from across the country that are steadily "on the rise" and have the potential to make a significant impact. They were selected multifariously by The FSN Staff.
Klassen is in her third season with the Golden Gophers after getting her start as a walk-on to the novice squad as a freshman in 2023-24. She has quietly stacked momentum across her first two seasons, racing in every regatta last spring while helping power the Maroon and Gold's 2V8 to multiple podium finishes and head-to-head victories. From opening the year strong at Rocky Top to closing the Big Ten Championship in the Grand Finals, she's proven she can deliver when the competition tightens. After a freshman campaign that included three-straight dual wins and a B1G bronze medal, her trajectory keeps pointing upward. A native of Melrose, Minn., she also earned the CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award and was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar for her efforts in the classroom a year ago
Similar to her teammate, Rish continues year three with Minnesota rowing as a former walk-on program in 2023-24. Hailing from Hermantown, Minn., she has surged into the heart of the varsity lineup, competing in all six regattas last season and anchoring the 1V8 through a spring full of top finishes and statement wins. From back-to-back victories at the Big 12/Big Ten Double Dual to strong showings at Rocky Top and the B1G Championship, she's shown she can thrive against top competition. Add in a freshman year highlighted by dual sweeps and a Big Ten medal run, and the foundation is rock solid for Rish. She also landed on the 2025 Academic All-Big Ten Team.
The FSN Watchlist features student-athletes from across the country that are steadily "on the rise" and have the potential to make a significant impact. They were selected multifariously by The FSN Staff.
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