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STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford women’s rowing head coach Yasmin Farooq announced the 2015 signing class with a total of 14 individuals set to join the Women of Stanford.
“The Class of 2019 is the deepest and most diverse class we’ve ever had,” said Farooq. “Assistant Coach Nate Rooks did an outstanding job of identifying scholar-athletes who will support and strengthen our current team and genuinely fit in with the Stanford culture of academic and athletic excellence.”
The Cardinal, coming off a sixth place finish at the NCAA Championships last weekend, lost six seniors and will look to reload its roster with individuals from seven states and two countries. The class features four from California, three from Washington and one each from Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Canada and Ireland.
“Each and every one of these young women has distinguished herself in both areas and as a genuine teammate who is willing to learn and grow for the betterment of the squad,” said Farooq. “Our success is directly linked to how much each person improves from the beginning of each year to the end, and how much they are willing to help and push each other along the way. I’m really looking forward to what the Class of 2019 is going to bring to the Women of Stanford.”
Seven members of the recruiting class signed letters of intent in the fall, including Erin Barry, Anika Christofferson, Lindy Clute, Stephanie Grauer, Margaret Seaton, Elizabeth Sharis and Chase Shepley.
The seven individuals joining this spring were Rachel Ahn, Emma Hanley, Lulu Hedstrom, Mariko Kelly, Vaiva Snapkauskaite, Jade Thornton and Marisa Willson.
Here is a little information about each signee:
Rachel Ahn
Coxswain
San Rafael, Calif. (Redwood)
- Rows for Marin Rowing Association
- Fourth place at the recent Southwest Regional Championships
- Fifth place at the 2014 Head of the Charles
- Interested in studying mechanical engineering and product design
“I chose Stanford because my imagination is encouraged beyond the limits of our knowledge. There are no ends to the opportunities at hand; I can venture as far as the mind takes me. I looked for a University with a diversity of backgrounds to give me the ability to become a product of my actions rather than my circumstances, and at Stanford I found it all.”
Erin Barry
Rower
Bushmills, Northern Ireland (Coleraine)
- Rows for Bann Rowing Club
- Three years competing for Ireland in national competition
- School’s 2014 Sportswoman of the Year
- Interested in studying physics and mathematics
“I simply couldn't say 'no' to Stanford. Getting an outstanding education combined with training all year round in a positive, upbeat environment really appeals to me. I want to surround myself with people who are driven and ambitious. Stanford ticks every box. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!”
Anika Christofferson
Rower
Mercer Island, Wash. (Mercer Island)
- Rows for Mount Baker Crew
- Won the 2014 Northwest Regional Championship in the 8+ and 4+
- Crew team captain
- Interested in studying pediatrics and neonatology
“I chose Stanford because it offers me the perfect balance of academic and athletic rigor. I couldn't be more excited to join the Women of Stanford!”
Lindy Clute
Rower
Alamo, Calif. (Carondelet)
- Rows for Oakland Strokes
- Won gold in the 8+ at the USRowing Junior Nationals
- Brother, Davis, is on the Stanford men’s water polo team
- Interested in studying East Asian languages and music
“I chose Stanford for its academic excellence, interesting majors, great rowing program and coaches, beautiful campus, and the unfrozen waterways! I will also be able to watch all of my brother's home water polo games!”
Stephanie Grauer
Rower
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Crofton House)
- Rows for Rowing British Columbia and Burnaby Lake Rowing Club
- Invited to the 2014 Junior National Team Camp
- Grandfather, Dal, won a gold medal with the Canada lacrosse team at the 1928 Olympics
- Interested in studying medicine
“I chose Stanford because it is the perfect combination of a highly successful rowing program with talented coaches, and a world class education. After visiting this summer, it was clear that Stanford would provide an environment where I can thrive as a student-athlete, pursuing my passions both academically and athletically.”
Emma Hanley
Coxswain
Manhasset, N.Y. (Manhasset)
- Rows at Manhasset High School
- Member of boats that have won two state championships and a silver at youth nationals
- Sister, Keagan, won a national championship as a freshman this year with the Stanford lightweight rowing team
- AP Scholar interested in studying physics and engineering
“What’s not to love about Stanford? It is truly a unique university that combines excellent academics, inspiring faculty, competitive athletics, and passionate, diverse students. As a coxswain, I am excited about the tremendous opportunity to work with Coach Yaz and learn from the best. Go Cardinal!”
Lulu Hedstrom
Rowing
Greenwich, Conn. (Greenwich Academy)
- Rows for Bermuda Rowing Association and V-Sculls Riverside
- Published Bermuda’s first island-wide literary magazine
- Cousin, Kristin Hedstrom, competed in the lightweight double for the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics
- Interested in studying English
“I chose Stanford because I admire the student body’s sense of ambition and collaboration. Furthermore, Stanford’s academic resources are outstanding, and they provide students with the tools necessary to graduate and pursue their passions.”
Mariko Kelly
Rowing
Del Mar, Calif. (La Jolla Country Day)
- Rows for San Diego Rowing Club
- Attended Junior National Team Sweep Selection Camp in 2015
- Uncle, David Gleeson, was an Olympic rower and coach
- Interested in studying physical therapy
“There was never any question that Stanford was the university I wanted to attend. College is a once in a lifetime experience, and Stanford is a one of a kind university. The campus is rich in tradition and history, but also has a unique and fun vibe. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to study with top-notch professors and classmates, to row for world-class coaches and teammates, and to call Stanford my home for the next four years!”
Margaret Seaton
Rower
Mercer Island, Wash. (Mercer Island)
- Rows for Mount Baker Crew
- Sixth place at the 2014 Junior National Championships
- Father, Guy, was a swimmer at Stanford and mother, Betsy, was a rower at Princeton
- Interested in studying to be a physician
“I chose Stanford because I love rowing, but I also love school and believe in the importance of learning. When I visited Stanford it was clear that it is not only an athletic powerhouse where athletes can excel, but also a place where athletes are expected to succeed in the classroom"
Elizabeth Sharis
Rower
Bettendorf, Iowa (Pleasant Valley)
- Rows for Y Quad Cities Rowing
- USRowing and row2k Fan’s Choice Junior Athlete of the Year in 2014
- Father, Peter, rowed at Harvard and won two national championships
- Interested in studying human biology for a career in medicine
“I chose Stanford because of the school’s fantastic combination of both high caliber academics and athletics. I am really honored to be joining such a driven, talented, and passionate rowing team next year.”
Chase Shepley
Rower
Crystal Lake, Ill. (Crystal Lake Central)
- Rows for Chicago Rowing Foundation
- Chosen for the 2013 U.S. Junior National Team High Performance Camp
- Sister, Madison, rowed at the University of Wisconsin
- Interested in studying to be a lawyer or journalist
“Stanford has amazing coaches. I didn’t find coaches like them anywhere else. The coaches at Stanford were more interested in me as a person than as a rower.”
Vaiva Snapkauskaite
Rower
Sammamish, Wash. (Skyline)
- Swimmer and track and field athlete in high school
- School record holder in the shot put
- Washington Aerospace Scholar
- Interested in studying computer science
“Not only is there a happy vibe about those attending Stanford, but there are so many individuals here that are passionate about learning – computer science in particular. I wanted to be part of a community and sports program with students that were just as motivated during practice as they were with their coursework. The biggest deciding factor for me was that when I looked through the roster of the team there was a large portion of the team that was planning on majoring in the STEM fields, and this interest in the STEM fields within the rowing program was not something that I could find at any other school.”
Jade Thornton
Denver, Colo. (East)
- Rows for Mile High Rowing Club
- Also played field hockey and tennis in this school
- Has relatives who have rowed at Cal and Georgetown, including Dominic Bea at Stanford
- Interested in studying chemical engineering
"I chose Stanford because it was the best fit for me. I can be part of an amazing rowing team that gets to row all year round while also studying Chemical Engineering at a school that has amazing academics. There seemed to be a balance and community at Stanford that I did not find anywhere else. Stanford’s weather and diverse student body make it an ideal place for me. I can’t wait for this amazing opportunity.”
Marisa Willson
Rower
Rocklin, Calif. (Del Oro)
- Played basketball and club soccer while in high school
- Started learning to row last summer
- Father, Robert, played college baseball at Sonoma State
- Interested in studying life science and public health
"I chose Stanford because I wanted to push myself to be the best I can be. I wanted to be a part of that electric atmosphere and meet all those marvelous minds; who knows who I'll be rubbing elbows with?"