Catherine Shannon Class: Sophomore Hometown: Hillsborough, Calif. High School: Sacred Heart Prep Height / Weight: 5-11 / 150 Experience: 1V

California: 2011 (Sophomore): Named to the Pac-10 all-academic team ... rowed on Cal's varsity 4+ boat that was victorious at the NCAA Championships and against Stanford at the Big Row. 2010 (Freshman): Placed third in the freshman 8+ at the Pac-10 Championships.

Personal: Competed for NorCal Crew ... named to the U.S. Rowing Scholastic Honor Roll ... placed second in the junior women's open 8 ... won the novice 8+ at the 2007 southwest championships ... at Sacred Heart Prep High School, earned high athletic honors and also made the history honor society ... also played tennis in high school ... the oldest of four siblings ... parents are James and Ruth Shannon ... father, James, attended Cal ... grandfather, Rex, played tennis and squash at Oxford ... recently visited family in South Africa ... born in Boston ... history major with a minor in history of art ... born in Boston, Mass.

The best thing about being on Cal crew is: The rowers on this team are talented, strong and driven, but more importantly, they are good people.

The best part of the University is: The professors. Their love of learning and passion for their subject matter is contagious.

I chose Cal because: I've been a Cal fan all my life, and I knew it would push me out of my comfort zone and challenge me to be better in the classroom and on the water. Go Bears!