Elise Etem Class: Senior Hometown: Long Beach, Calif. High School: Wilson HS Height / Weight: 5-10 / 175 Birthdate: 04/05/1989

California: 2012 (Senior): Pac-12 Athlete of the Year ... CRCA All-American ... named to the All-Pac-12 and CRCA All-West Region teams ... first team Pac-12 all-academic ... team co-captain ... part of the varsity eight that took fifth at the NCAA Championships, won the Pac-12 Championship and beat Stanford and Washington.

2011 (Junior): Second-team CRCA All-American and second-team CRCA All-West Region selection ... All-Pac-10 selection ... named to the Pac-10 all-academic first team ... rowed on Cal's varsity 8+ boat that placed fourth at the NCAA Championships, won at the Pac-10 Championships and in the dual meets against Stanford and Washington.

2010 (Sophomore): Rowed on the varsity 8+ that came in fourth at the NCAA Championships...took first in the varsity 8+ at the Pac-10 Championships, clinching the team title for Cal...second-team Pac-10 all-academic.

2009 (Freshman) Rowed on Cal's second varsity 8+ that won the Pac-10 title and came in second at the NCAA Championships.

2008 Redshirted.

Personal: Media studies major...swam for Cal in the 2007-08 season...CIF Division I champion in the 100-yard butterfly her junior year...Wilson High School's Most Valuable Swimmer...set a Wilson record in the 100 fly...was a member of the CIF Division I championship team her sophomore year...parents are Patricia and Richard Etem...mother, Patricia, was a member of the Cal and U.S. Olympic rowing team (1980, 1984)...brother, Martin, is a senior rower at Syracuse...born on April 5, 1989, in Long Beach, Calif.

Why I chose Cal: My dream school since I was born. I absolutely loved the girls on the team, the coaching staff, and the unique surrounding area. The academics are also hard to beat.

The best thing about being on Cal crew is: The fact that I'm surrounded by a group of girls who are my biggest competitors, but also my best friends.

The best thing about the university is: There are so many different individuals and personalities from all over the world.

What sets Cal apart?: Everyone on campus is so committed and dedicated to their activities, and is so involved in the many things the school and the area have to offer.

My greatest achievement: Last year's Pac 10 grand final race and win.