Dec. 14, 2010
BERKELEY - The California women's crew team inked 10 recruits to National Letters of Intent last month, head coach Dave O'Neill announced Tuesday. O'Neill describes this class as impressive in every way. The class includes Diana Beck, Serena Boccara, Camilla Gardiner, Vanessa Gerber, Kristina Leyva, Johanna Rydell, Alisabeth Soto, Madeleine Stearns, Callie Stein and Maddie Wolf.
"We look for recruits who will be a good fit for our program," O'Neill said. "These athletes have the right attitude and work ethic to succeed at Cal. Coach Sarah Puddicombe has done a fantastic job in our recruiting efforts, and the class continues to get better. We always look for the top prospects from California, and this year, we put a greater focus outside the state as well. I'm really impressed with all of these recruits as individuals. The recruiting class as a whole is outstanding."
Ultimately, the Golden Bear staff expects up to 25 recruits before the class is complete. The program has currently garnered verbal or NLI commitments from 20 prospects and the coaches continue to build an impressive class of recruits.
"As happy as we are with the commitments up to this point, our recruiting efforts for current year are by no means complete," O'Neill said.
Diana Beck
Although relatively new to the sport, Beck has quickly become a standout prospect from NorCal Crew. She rowed with CRI in Boston last summer and placed fifth at Canadian Henley. She's shown impressive strength on the erg and continues to improve.
"Diana is strong and really motivated," O'Neill said. "She has big goals, and I'm looking forward to working with her to achieve them."
Serena Boccara
Boccara began rowing at San Diego Rowing Club before moving to NAC last year. She's in her fourth year of rowing and is skilled in both the eight and single. Her father Philippe Boccara is a six-time Olympic kayaker and won a bronze medal in the 1984 Los Angeles games.
"Serena is the real deal," Said O'Neil. "She's tall, strong, has great boat feel and is a team player. Serena has an incredible future in rowing, and she'll play a big role on our team for years to come."
Camilla Gardiner
Gardiner has been rowing for four years and placed third in the pair at the 2009 USRowing Youth National Championships. She's also a competitive swimmer and has raced at the State Championships.
"Camilla was our top-ranked recruit from the Seattle area," O'Neill said. "She's a great kid and a perfect fit for Cal."
Vanessa Gerber
Last year, Gerber won the Novice 4+ and finished second in the Novice 8+ at the Southwest Junior Championships. She impressed the coaches with her aggression and athleticism.
"Vanessa is new to the sport but has already shown great aptitude," O'Neill said. "Her work ethic will get her far in our program. She's the type of kid you want in your boat on race day, so I'm glad she'll be racing on our team."
Kristina Leyva
Leyva is in her fourth year of rowing with San Diego Rowing Club. A skilled and strong athlete, Leyva is self-motivated and more than capable in small boats.
"Kristina is one of the top prospects from California, and we're very happy she chose Cal.," O'Neill said. "I remember seeing her row a couple of years ago and thinking she'd be a great addition to our team. She's ready to move to the next level."
Johanna Rydell Rydell is a two-time Junior Olympian in cross-country skiing. She comes to Cal with no rowing experience. However, her experience and aerobic conditioning as a successful cross country skier have prepared for the sport of rowing.
"Our team has had great success with teaching the sport to athletes like Johanna, and she's going to do very well," O'Neill said. "We're always looking for the top junior athletes, regardless of rowing experience. Johanna has the work ethic and body type required to succeed in our program."
Alisabeth Soto Before starting rowing last year, Soto was a junior Olympic volleyball player. She won gold in the N8+ at the Southwest Championships.
"I'm really impressed with Alisabeth as an athlete and a person," O'Neill said. "She's shown the attitude and effort that are so important to our team culture. We're really looking forward to having her in our program."
Madeleine Stearns
Stearns is a former field hockey and lacrosse player who started rowing to get in shape for lacrosse. After a few months, she won the Novice 8+ and 4+ at Northeast Junior Championships and went on to win the 8+ and 2- for the USA at the CanAmMex Regatta. This fall she stroked the Connecticut Boat Club 4+ that placed third at the Head of Charles Regatta.
"Maddie is well coached, a fierce competitor and a proven winner," O'Neill said. "She's a perfect fit for Cal and our program, and I'm thrilled to work with her."
Callie Stein
Stein is a two-time winner of the 8+ at the Midwest Junior Championships and has twice finished in the top 10 at the US Rowing Youth National Championships. She's an avid adventurer who has gone on backpacking, mountain climbing and service trips all over the world. She's also an accomplished ballet dancer.
"Callie has a fantastic attitude and tremendous potential," O'Neill said. "I see her becoming a strong leader in the years to come."
Madeleine Wolf
Madeleine rowed in the Marin Varsity 8+ that finished second at the 2010 Southwest Junior Championships. She rowed six-seat in the Marin 8+ that placed second in October's Head of the Charles Regatta.
"Maddie is a great kid from a top-notch program," O'Neill said. "This year, she's become increasingly focused and has started to realize just how good she can be. I expect her to have an immediate impact on our top crews." |
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