The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
2021-22 Rowing Roster
Roster
Caitlin Esse
- Position:
- Port
- Height:
- 5-8
- Class:
- Junior
- High School:
- New Canaan
- Prev School:
- Michigan
- Hometown:
- New Canaan, Conn.
- Major:
- Human Dimensions of Organizations
- 2022 NCAA National Champion
- 2022 NCAA Championship participant
- 2022 Big 12 Champion
- CRCA National Scholar Athlete (2022)
- Member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (Fall 2021)
AS A JUNIOR (2022)
- Bowed the Second Varsity 8+ to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championship, winning in heats (6:18.360) and the A/B semifinals (6:23.878), and finishing fourth in the Grand Final (6:26.282).
- Bowed the Second Varsity 8+ to a first-place win (6:43.714) at the Big 12 Championship.
- Bowed the Second Varsity 8+ to a first-place win (6:21.431) at the Longhorn Invite.
- Bowed the Second Varsity 8+ to victory over No. 4 Princeton and No. 16 Rutgers, winning with a time of 6:32.0 at Lake Carnegie in Princeton, N.J.
- Bowed the Second Varsity 8+ to victory over No. 6 Michigan, winning with a time of 6:27.50 at Belleville Lake, Mich.
- Bowed the Second Varsity 8+ to a pair of victories at No. 13 SMU, winning a Saturday afternoon in 7:08.23 followed by a Sunday morning win in 7:13.57 at White Rock Lake.
Before Texas
Has represented the United States with the USRowing Junior and U23 teams … competed for Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport, Conn. … earned silver at the 2021 World Rowing U23 Championships in the BW2- … rowed at the Michigan in 2020-21 ... stroked the 1V8 to wins over No. 16 SMU, Louisville (6:22.281), Clemson, (6:27.402, 2nd) and Notre Dame (6:18.550, 2nd) at the Louisville Cardinal Invitational … stroked the First Eight as it defeated Indiana and Iowa (6:41.1) in the morning and topped MSU, finishing second to Ohio State in the afternoon (7:07.49) … competed with the First Eight at the Big Ten vs. ACC Regatta, rowing in stroke seat to place second to No. 10 Duke in 6:49.48 and in bow seat while finishing second to No. 3 Virginia in 7:05.47, defeating Michigan State twice … as a freshman in 2019-20, rowed in two-seat in Michigan’s 1V8 boat which placed ninth overall and seventh among collegiate programs in 15:48.22 at the Head of the Charles … took silver with Team USA in the JW2- at the 2019 World Rowing Junior Championships … three-time gold medalist in the W8+ at the USRowing Youth National Championships (2017-19) … earned three gold medals in the W8+ at the Head of the Charles Regatta (2016-18) … the Junior women's champion (2x) at the 2018 U.S. Trials …won the 2018 U.S. Club National Championships in U19 pair, intermediate pair and senior/elite pair events.
Why Texas?
“I chose Texas to be a part of a community that demands excellence, and be surrounded by individuals who are excited to pursue it.”
What led you to pursue rowing and what do you love most about it?
“I grew up watching my older brother and sister row and I always looked up to them, specifically my older sister. Initially, I was inspired by wanting to be as good as her. Eventually that turned into a passion for setting goals and chasing them, and that is what I came to love about rowing. I love how challenging this sport is, and how it demonstrates that with tenacity and drive, there are no ceilings to what you can achieve.’
Personal
- Mother and stepfather are Anne Esse and Stefano Bruni, father and stepmother are Todd Esse and Terilyn Esse
- Has four brothers – Jake, Matteo, Jack and Will
- Began rowing at the age of 12
- Majoring in human dimensions and organizations.
- Outside of rowing and school, enjoys spending time with friends and doing new things.
