STANFORD, Calif. – Senior Anna Dawson was chosen as the Pac-12 Athlete of the Year and head coach Yasmin Farooq was tabbed the Pac-12 Coach of the Year on Thursday.
“I’m really happy the Pac-12 coaches selected Anna for this award," said Farooq. "She is really so deserving. Anna has done a fantastic job as the dynamic stroke of our varsity eight and also as a leader on our team. She radiates positivity and always focuses on what is possible. Anna sets the bar for effort and killer instinct, which is inspiring not only to her boat mates but to everyone on the team. She is selfless, kind and a mature voice of reason for the younger athletes.”
Dawson is the fourth Stanford women’s rower to receive the top honor in the conference, joining Elle Logan (2011), Erika Roddy (2009) and Jessi Reel (2008). Since the award was first given in 2008, the Cardinal has twice as many recipients as any other school. Cal is second with two and USC has one. Dawson was named to the all-conference team for the second time after being on the list in 2011.
“This was such a surprise to me,” said Dawson. “It is so special and is a tribute to our team. Everyone pushes each other as hard as they can and makes each other better. The Pac-12 is an amazing conference with so many talented rowers. It is an honor to listed among them.”
Farooq is the coach of the year for the second time in her career. She was also handed the honor in 2008. It is the fifth time a Stanford coach has been recognized as the top coach in the conference.
Joining Dawson on the Pac-12 all-conference team are senior Daphne Martschenko and sophomore Katie Toothman. It is the second time Martschenko has been on the list as she was an all-conference choice in 2012. Toothman receives her first all-conference selection. The three selections are the most for Stanford since 2010.
The three rowers helped lead Stanford to its first Pac-12 Championship in school history with a gold medal in the varsity eight. The Cardinal won gold in three of the four races at the Pac-12 Championships. Stanford also swept the top three races against Cal in the 81st Big Row for the first time since 2009.
The Cardinal is the No. 2 seed for the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis. The three boats will begin NCAA competition Friday morning.