Emma Ballard Class: Sophomore Hometown: San Diego, Calif. High School: High Tech High International Height / Weight: 5-7 / 140

California: 2011 (Freshman): Competed on Cal's freshman 8+ that won at the Pac-10 Championships and at the Big Row against Stanford.

High School: Took second in the women's single at the 2010 southwest regional championships and 10th at the 2010 youth national championships ... in 2009, finished third in the 4+ at the youth national championships ... named the team MVP, Most Inspirational and Best Teammate On and Off the Water ... rowed for the San Diego Rowing Club ... also played softball and gymnastics at High Tech High International High School ... was the school ambassador, yearbook editor, autistic peer tutor leader and graduated in the top three percent of her class.

Personal: parents are Barth and Debbie Ballard ... has a younger sister, Sarah ... traveled to Thailand in 2009 and Mexico in 2008 for service projects ... nutritional sciences major, with the post-graduate goals to become a sports medicine doctor or a sports psychologist ... born in San Diego, Calif.

The best part about being on Cal Crew is: The girls on this team; everyone is so caring and they make me laugh everyday.

My greatest achievement was: Getting into Cal, making the Pac 10 boat and winning the Pac 10.

What sets Cal apart: The fact that everyone here truly is a level ahead of most people. Everyone works hard and the reputation proves it.