HPHS Grad Named To Collegiate Rowing Association All-Regional Team

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Navigating her way from academic accolades to athletic accomplishments, a recent Highland Park High School graduate has been recognized for her achievements in the world of competitive rowing.

Kayla Keats, who was the salutatorian of the class of 2021 at HPHS, is now a junior at Tulane University in New Orleans, where she was named to the 2024 American Collegiate Rowing Association's All-Regional Team.

“I am honored to stand side-by-side with such talented rowers,” Keats said in a statement.

To determine the regional team, the rowing association considers 2,000 meter testing scores, overall crew performance, career racing results, individual achievements and recommendations from coaches.

Just 60 women nationwide earned the honor, and Keats is the only Tulane rower to have made it onto either the men's or women ACRA South regional teams, which were dominated by Vanderbilt and the University of Florida.

“Crew is a sport that truly cannot be approached with an individualistic mindset. We’re all in it together or not at all and that’s what I love about it," Keats said.

"For me, receiving this award is a manifestation of what happens when our team works perfectly in unison.”