Leighton started rowing at CBC during the 2021 winter season. She is a current Senior at New Canaan High School.
Career Highlights:
Leighton joined CBC in 7th grade and has competed at Youth Nationals every year since 8th grade. She has raced in the U16 4x+, U17 4x, U17 4x (year two), and V4x. In 2023 she was the youngest athlete to compete at the Head of the Charles, racing the U17 4+. She went on to race Under-17 events at the Head of the Charles for three consecutive years, racing the U17 8+ in 2024 and returning to the U17 4+ in 2025. In the spring of 2026, she stroked the V4x at Northeast Youth Championships winning gold.
Fun Facts:
- Before rowing, Irish dance was her main sport and in her last year she placed 3rd in the 16-Hand Reel at the World Championships in Ireland
- She keeps bees and makes and sells her own honey
- She loves playing guitar and has always enjoyed creative hobbies outside of rowing
- Her love language is baking and cooking
- She loves animals and has owned over 10 different types of pets
- Harry Potter is her all-time favorite book and movie series
Favorite Part About CBC:
My favorite part about CBC is the mindset that rowing has given me. I think there’s something really special about going through the hard practices, tough races, and long days with your teammates knowing that we’re all working towards a common goal. I think those experiences are what also make the friendships you build at CBC some of the best and most unique. This sport has taught me that it’s not always about individual success and progress. I’ve learned that your improvement can move the people around you—your boat, your club—forward. CBC has taught me to be a stronger, more confident female leader which is a mindset I’ve started to carry into the rest of my life. It shapes the way I approach leadership or even obstacles in life. I’m really grateful that CBC has given me both the friendships and the perspective that I’ll take with me long after I graduate.
Meet the other captains | CBC Rowers from New Canaan High School
