Alexandra McKee recently signed a national letter of intent to attend Duquesne University and row for the Dukes. Pictured, in front, from left, are: Shannon McKee, Alexandra’s sister; Alexandra McKee; and Lisa Gierszal, Alexandra’s mother. In back are: Jeff Angeletti, Chautauqua Lake athletic director; Rachel Curtin, Chautauqua Lake secondary principal; Jason Richardson, Chautauqua Lake guidance counselor; LJ Martin, Jim Odrzywolski and Ali Crane, Chautauqua Lake Rowing Association coaches; Adam Gollwitzer, Chautauqua Lake science teacher; Dr. Joshua Liddell, Chautauqua Lake superintendent. Submitted photo

MAYVILLE — Chautauqua Lake senior Alexandra McKee recently signed her national letter of intent to attend Duquesne University and join the Dukes rowing team.

Alex will be majoring in marketing and digital analytics at the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, pursuing an master’s in her fifth year.

Alex joined the Chautauqua Lake Rowing Association team when she was 12 years old as a young coxswain (steersman) the only individual in the boat facing forward.

“As she grew in strength and maturity, Alex used her observations and lessons learned as coxswain to develop into one of our finest rowers,” CLRA coach Jim Ordrzywolski said.

Rowing is a tradition in McKee’s family. Her mom, Lisa Gierszal, rowed at Mercyhurst University and Alex’s brother and sister, Max and Shannon, rowed along with Alex for CLRA through middle and high school.

“I am so proud of Alexandra’s journey leading her to row and study at Duquesne,” Gierszal said. “We have been part of this rowing community over the last 12 years.”

One of their family’s favorite rowing quotes is: “All were merged into one smoothly working machine; they were in fact, a poem of motion, a symphony of swinging blades.” — Boys in the Boat.

Alex says that rowing has taught her how to push past her limits to achieve success and that helped her to push herself academically and athletically to pursue her future at Duquesne University.

“Alexandra serves as a shining example of what can be accomplished by looking around the community for opportunities, and looking inward to find the grit and grace needed to accomplish her goals,” said Rachel Curtin, Chautauqua Lake secondary principal. “As a proud principal, I am so proud to acknowledge Alex’s remarkable achievements in both the Chautauqua Lake Rowing Association and in the classroom.”

Superintendent Dr. Joshua Liddell is grateful for the connection with CLRA.

“The Chautauqua Lake Rowing Association High School Team is a remarkable opportunity for our area students,” Liddell said. “Coaches Jim Odryzwolski, LJ Martin and Ali Crane have developed a wonderful rowing program that provides students exciting experiences that can lead to a scholarship at some highly regarded universities. The Chautauqua Lake School District is thrilled for Alexandra and her family as she was able to utilize this great area resource to continue her rowing and academic career at Duquesne. We are excited to see what is ahead for Alexandra as we are confident she will be successful in the classroom and on the rowing team at Duquesne.”

CLRA was represented by coaches Ali Crane, LJ Martin, and Jim Odrzywolski.