STANFORD, Calif. – Dunlevie Family Director of Women's Water Polo John Tanner announced the signings of six highly-touted student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
AliMarie DePrez (Upland, Calif.), Sydney Lowell (Menlo Park, Calif.), Claire Minton (Clovis, Calif.), Amber Nowaczek (Shadow Hills, Calif.), Izzy Scott (Perth, Australia) and Makenna Stretz (Santa Barbara, Calif.) will join the Cardinal for the 2025 campaign.
"This is a class of team-first athletes who show up with focus and passion every day, eager to understand and elevate their teammates and contribute to all their communities," said Tanner, who enters his 27th season at the helm in 2024. "It's exhilarating contemplating what this group can contribute to our program's culture of teammateship and achievement and our history of preparing leaders for direct usefulness beyond their Stanford years."
AliMarie DePrez • Upland, CA • Claremont HS • Foothill Club • DefenderQuick Profile: Gold medalist with USA Water Polo Youth National Team at PanAm Aquatics U17 Championships (2023) ... gold medalist in division with USA Water Polo Cadet National Team at FINA Cadet World Championships (2022) ... two-time Palomares League MVP, guiding the Wolfpack to back-to-back first-place finishes (2022-23) for ODP Coastal Team at the ODP National Championship.
Outside the Pool: Member of Honor Roll as a Full International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate during first three years ... IB's primary objective is to develop lifelong learners who thrive and make a difference ... volunteers as U10 coach at Foothill Club Water Polo, instilling a love of sport and team skills in young athletes ... three-time USAWP Academic All-American ... All-Academic Team for the Palomares League (2023) ... enjoys hiking in Big Bear Valley and participating in non-aquatic sports.
Why Stanford?: "My first experience playing at Avery Aquatic Center as a 12-year-old at the Junior Olympics had a profound impact on me. The sterling academic reputation, breathtaking campus and legacy of numerous world-class athletes who graced that pool inspired me immensely. I wanted to immerse myself in that extraordinary atmosphere on a daily basis, using it as a constant source of motivation to strive for greatness. Going through the recruiting process with JT and Susan confirmed that early impression and secured my enthusiastic choice to attend and compete for Stanford."
Coach Tanner says: "Ali is a physically and mentally resolute defender who will enjoy the intensity of our program and this level of polo. She is a loyal teammate and relentless competitor whose fearlessness inspires teammates and frustrates opponents."
Sydney Lowell • Menlo Park, CA • Castilleja School • Stanford Club • UtilityQuick Profile: Current member of USA Water Polo Youth National Team ... gold medalist with USA Water Polo Youth National Team at PanAm Aquatics U17 Championships (2023) ... member of USA Water Polo Cadet Futures National Team (2022) ... Santa Clara Valley Athletic League MVP (2022) and Most Valuable Field Player (2021) ... USA Water Polo Junior Olympics All-Tournament Team Honorable Mention U18 Girls (2023).
Outside the Pool: Three-time USA Water Polo Outstanding Academic All-American ... National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist ... founder and co-leader of a high school student group focused on youth voting rights and local politics ... programmer on Castilleja's robotics team for two years ... volunteered at Peninsula Bridge, helping organize, plan and teach classes in math, English, water safety and robotics to rising 5th graders.
Why Stanford?: "I was drawn to Stanford because of its unrivaled legacy of academic and athletic excellence. I am greatly looking forward to joining the incredible community of thoughtful learners and leaders there and continuing to challenge myself as I grow both in the classroom and in the pool."
Coach Tanner says: "Sydney is a poised and dynamic offensive player who scores goals from every position in the pool and thrives in high stakes games. She exudes joy and equanimity amidst the pressure and high expectations of those moments."
Claire Minton • Clovis, CA • Clovis HS • Royal 559 Water Polo Academy • Attacker Quick Profile: World record holder in the 6-8 Sports Medicine Ball Hold challenge ... two-time Central Section Player of the Year ... Academic All-American.
Outside the Pool: Coaches elementary water polo players who are learning fundamentals and rules of the game ... those skills learned in practice can be directly implemented in weekly scrimmages ... president of her school's National Honor Society chapter, where she organizes volunteering events ... enjoys spending time in nature ... hiked Half Dome in Yosemite National Park at age 11.
Why Stanford?: "Stanford offers amazing athletic opportunities to compete with like-minded athletes driven to achieve collective success. Here, I feel supported inside and outside of the pool. I know Stanford will challenge me and inspire me to live a life of integrity and purpose. Go Card!"
Coach Tanner says: "Claire is an excellent defender who never gets off balance and a relentless counter attacker who never seems to fatigue. She is a sensational teammate, a reliable beacon in difficult moments and an exuberant catalyst when opportunities arise."
Amber Nowaczek • Shadow Hills, CA • Harvard Westlake HS • SB 805 Club • Attacker Quick Profile: Gold medalist and Team MVP with USA Water Polo Youth National Team at Youth Pan American Games (2023) ... gold medalist with USA Water Polo Youth National Team at Youth Pan American Games (2022) ... gold medalist at Junior Olympics 16U (2023).
Outside the Pool: Volunteers for a non-profit organization called Future Generations Now, which raises money and awareness for underprivileged communities ... accepted in the Honors Drawing and Painting Senior Seminar, with her artwork featured in school's galleries ... volunteers as a 10U water polo coach for LA Premier Water Polo.
Why Stanford?: "I was most drawn to the community's shared enthusiasm for learning. I found that Stanford inspires students to become the best versions of themselves by not only challenging them, but also by providing incredible resources that allow students to discover their true passions."
Coach Tanner says: "Amber is a great shooter, fierce competitor and determined teammate who diligently pursues and embraces big challenges, all of which adds up to her being a great fit with this University and our water polo program."
Izzy Scott • Perth, Australia • Presbyterian Ladies' College Perth • Fremantle Marlins • Goalkeeper Quick Profile: Member of Youth Australian 17U team (2023) ... competed with Western Australian team for 17U and 19U state nationals (2022-23) ... gold medalist in the Western Australian State League for six consecutive seasons.
Outside the Pool: Langdon Family Prize for Citizenship recipient (2021) ... Graham Reynolds Integrity Award recipient (2022) ... Biology HL honors (2023), coach of grades 7-12 PLC water polo teams (2021-23) ... debating and public speaking captain for PLC (2023) ... participated in dance for 15 years and was awarded a royal ballet award for technique and attitude.
Why Stanford?: "I always knew I wanted to go overseas to train for water polo. I want to be challenged and pushed out of my comfort zone, which is simply not possible if I stay in the isolated city of Perth. When I visited, I immediately realized this is the place that will allow me to unleash my full potential both academically and athletically in a balanced way, which is incredibly exciting!"
Coach Tanner says: "Izzy has the physical qualities and mental requisites to succeed as a goalie at this level and beyond. She is also notably curious and highly intellectual and will contribute substantially to our team and across the Stanford campus."
Makenna Stretz • Santa Barbara, CA • San Marcos HS • SB 805 Club • Attacker Quick Profile: Three-time CIF-SS Channel League champion ... two-time Open Division CIF-SS quarterfinalist ... All-League selection (2023) ... USA Water Polo ODP NTSC selection (2023) ... four-time USA Water Polo Outstanding Academic All-American.
Outside the Pool: Accelerated Academic Program for Leadership and Enrichment (AAPLE) Academy member and class representative ... Entrepreneurship Academy (SMEA) member ... co-founder of Corporate Giving Program at San Marcos ... Dream Foundation (nonprofit that serves terminally ill patients) Youth Ambassador and Club President ... Operation School Bell (nonprofit that serves underprivileged students) oversight ... National Charity League Board Member.
Why Stanford?: "I have always respected and been drawn to Stanford University for its embodiment of academic and athletic excellence. I chose Stanford because of its powerful and impressive student body, but also for its competitive water polo program. I am looking forward to growing in the classroom and in the pool throughout my college career."
Coach Tanner says: "Makenna combines athleticism and length with speed and agility, a presence throughout the pool who is improving rapidly. As a left-hander who thrives in intense training environments, she will bring balance to our offense and further elevate our competitive culture."