STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford's Dunlevie Family Director of Women's Water Polo John Tanner announced the signings of six highly-touted prep standouts to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
Emily Blackwell (Davis, Calif.), Floranne Carroll (Montreal, Canada), Hannah Constandse (Irvine, Calif.), Katie Lyons (Orinda, Calif.), Lexi Rowell (Lafayette, Calif.) and Sophie Wallace (Newport Beach, Calif.) will enroll at Stanford for the 2019-20 academic year and join the Cardinal for the 2020 campaign.
"This group is committed to upholding and contributing to the tradition of comprehensive athletic and intellectual engagement of Stanford Athletics and Stanford Women's Water Polo," said Tanner. "They have been devoted teammates and community members as they have pursued competitive greatness at high school, national and global levels. They bring a wide range of water polo backgrounds and life experiences but are uniformly great role models. We are highly enthusiastic about their potential to inspire younger water polo players and to contribute to this program, the athletic department and the entire Stanford University community."
Emily Blackwell – Davis, Calif.
Quick Profile: Attends Davis High School … competes for Davis Club team … helped Team USA capture bronze medal at the 2018 UANA Junior Pan American Games … qualified for NTSC a year and a half after undergoing back surgery … earned silver medal at 2018 Junior Olympics, hosted at Stanford.
Outside the Pool: "When I'm not playing, training, or studying, I love to teach and coach. For the past three years, I have coached swimming for kids ages 2-12, teaching water safety to beginners and stroke mechanics to the more experienced swimmers. My favorite moment of teaching swimming was when I volunteered to teach a free swim clinic for the migrant children in Davis. It was an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience to teach these kids water safety."
Team First Values: "As a team captain and a senior, I have mentored the younger players and helped them grow and learn what it takes to compete for a section title. I have worked hard to model a positive attitude, a passion for the game and a strong work ethic, both in the pool and in the classroom. I have also focused on improving my own game, not just in cage, but also in field so that I can play wherever my team needs me the most. I have split time evenly in both positions this season, passing off the cage to the freshman goalie who I've enjoyed coaching and mentoring this season. I remember being the freshman goalie and having Katrina (Sturm) as my mentor, so it has been a really incredible experience to now be doing the same for this year's freshman goalie."
Floranne Carroll – Montreal, Canada
Quick Profile: Attends College Marianopolis ... competes for CAMO club program … claimed three national titles (twice at the 19-and-under level and once as a senior) in three years with her club team … member of Team Canada's 2018 Junior Pan American Championship team in Florida … joined Canadian Senior National Team in New Zealand for the 2018 FINA Intercontinental Cup.
Outside the Pool: "I have moved all over Canada, since my parents are part of the Canadian Armed Forces. I have had to adapt to many environments and make the best out of them. Making new friends and learning to play with different people is just normal now."
Team First Values: "Attending Stanford University has been a dream of mine, because I knew it would help me grow as a student and as an athlete. I'm joining this team with the goal of helping it achieve more greatness."
Hannah Constandse – Irvine, Calif.
Quick Profile: Attends Mater Dei High School … competed for Vangaard club team … member of 2018 CIF Southern Section Regional championship squad … selected to represent Team USA in the 2018 Youth World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia … silver medalist at the 2016 UANA Junior Pan American Championships.
Outside the Pool: "I partnered with the other senior captains of the Mater Dei boys and girls water polo team and the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County to coordinate the Boo Bash, an annual Halloween party and dance outreach between our team and teens and young adults with Down Syndrome."
Team First Values: "I played a key role in leading my high school team through a transition from a long-time coach through two other coaches and from a team of senior-heavy, experienced players to talented, but young team, with focus on team chemistry and mentorship."
Katie Lyons – Orinda, Calif.
Quick Profile: Attends Miramonte High School … member of Diablo-Alliance club team … led Diablo-Alliance club program to runner-up finish in the 2017 Junior Olympics … captured Division I NCS and CIF-Norcal title during junior year of high school, finishing 30-0 overall … leading goal scorer of Diablo Athletic League.
Outside the Pool: "I've been a reporter for Express Yourself, a national online weekly radio show that promotes literacy and empowers youth, reporting on topics from a sports perspective including goal setting, leadership, support and communication. I have also been writing for our school newspaper, the Mirador, for all four years."
Team First Values: "As team captain for the Miramonte water polo and swimming teams, I've tried to set a good example of commitment to my team. I realize that as a role model to the younger players on the team it is important to hold myself to the highest standards, athletically and academically."
Lexi Rowell – Lafayette, Calif.
Quick Profile: Attends Acalanes High School … member of Diablo-Alliance club team … led Diablo-Alliance club program to runner-up finish in 2017 Junior Olympics … captured Division I NCS and CIF-Norcal title during junior year of high school, finishing 30-0 overall ... member of 2016 Division II NCS championship squad, accounting for the school's first title.
Outside the Pool: "One of my teachers nominated me to be a delegate representing my high school for the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders for National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists this past summer. The Congress met with Nobel prize winners and other famous STEM influencers with the intent to identify and develop high school students who may be on track for such paths in the future. One of the most important parts for me was that I would be able to bring back the knowledge and share my experiences with my classmates, and I would especially be able to encourage my female peers in STEM."
Team First Values: "Being part of the best Acalanes team in school history has been so rewarding, as we have worked hard and improved to reach this point. We put a lot of effort into practices and games and built around the leadership of the club players, which uplifted the less experienced and made everyone and the season better."
Sophie Wallace – Newport Beach, Calif.
Quick Profile: Attends Corona del Mar High School … member of SET club program … competed with USA Youth National Team in the 2018 Youth World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia … earning silver medal in 2016 Junior Pan American Championships with the USA Cadet National Team in Edmonton, Canada … placed third at 2018 Junior Olympics with SET 18U … two-time Daily Pilot Dream Team selection.
Outside the Pool: "I volunteer time at Best Day Foundation, an organization that provides youth with special needs with beach adventure days that include surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, and other beach and water activities. Being a part of Best Day allows me to appreciate my own opportunities while also giving back to my community."
Team First Values: "Over the years I've enjoyed mentoring younger polo players, giving them tips and being a role model in and out of the water. I try to inspire them to want to work hard to play at the highest level possible and show integrity both in the pool and beyond it."