STANFORD, Calif. – A promising season cut short was no impediment for the Cardinal in the national awards picture, as Michelle Lahrkamp and Jack Parkin have been named Quantum National Sailor of the Year and Marlow Ropes National Sailor of the Year, respectively, by the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA). Additionally, the two sailors join Taylor Kirkpatrick and Sammy Pickell on the All-American team.
"Receiving these awards is an incredible accomplishment for our team and for the history of our program," said head coach Brian Swingly. "In a year in which we were not afforded the opportunity to put our hard work to the test at the National Championships, this recognition from the ICSA is a great way for everyone on the team to celebrate. I truly wish we were able to be together in person to commemorate this exceptional year. Congratulations to everyone for this historical moment. I am looking forward to more "firsts" in the years to come."
Lahrkamp is the first freshman in the awards history to be named Quantum Women's Sailor of the Year, and also the first Stanford student-athlete to do so as well. The highest honor in women's collegiate sailing dates back to 2003, and she becomes the first west coast sailor to earn the honor. A skipper, Lahrkamp helped Stanford to a No. 6 national women's ranking, including a series of top results at regattas around the country.
Parkin joins Lahrkamp in making Stanford history, becoming the first Cardinal sailor to be named Marlow Ropes College Sailor of the Year in the 52-year history of the award, which is the top distinction in coed sailing. Parkin took first place in the A-division of three fall regattas before skippering the championship team at the ICSA Match Race National Championship. Together with three of his teammates, Parkin earned a silver medal at the 2020 Harken Youth Match Racing World Championships in New Zealand.
Lahrkamp and Parkin earned All-American skipper honors to go with their national sailor of the year awards.
"While only a select few are able to have their names printed on All-American certificates, behind each one of them is an entire team of dedicated athletes who push and inspire each other to reach higher levels on a daily basis," continued Swingly. "Achieving All-American status is impossible without great teammates, something each of this year's recipients would certainly agree they were surrounded by."
Kirkpatrick, also an honorable mention selection in 2018, earns All-American crew honors for the second time in her career. She led Stanford to victory at the Moody Trophy with the top A-division mark. The senior also helped guide the Cardinal to second place at the Captain Hurst Bowl and the Coed Showcase Championship.
Pickell earns her first-career All-American award as a crew. Pickell helped the A-division boat place first at the Jen Harris Women's Showcase Championship and the Coed Showcase Championship, while picking up a second-place finish at the Women's Showcase Qualifier A. She also helped Stanford to a second-place overall finish at the Fall Pacific Coast Championship.
Stanford ended its season as the top-ranked coed team in the country, and the sixth-ranked women's program when the season was halted due to the COVID-19 global outbreak. The four total All-Americans matches the Cardinal's total from a year ago.