The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) has released its inaugural Athletes To Watch List for the 2024 season and University of Notre Dame junior rower Natalie Hoefer was among those selected for the honor. Hoefer, who also was named to the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Watch List, and her teammates begin the 2024 season this weekend at the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational.
Hoefer most recently broke the program’s all-time 2K record previously held by world champion alumnae Erin Boxberger. Hoefer was already in possession of the program’s 6K record.
A 2023 First-Team All-ACC selection as a member of the Irish varsity eight, Hoefer will serve as the backbone of the lead Notre Dame boat in 2024. Hoefer was a member of the United States Under-23 National Team W4+ team that finished third at the 2023 Under-23 World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
No stranger to elite competition, Hoefer also competed at the 2022 U.S. Rowing Summer National Championships where she helped her W8+ claim first place while also placing fourth in the quadruple sculls at the same event.
Hoefer and the Fighting Irish will cap their spring break training trip this weekend in the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational, beginning Friday, March 15th.