Seven Sign with Stanford

STANFORD, Calif. – The early signing period produced seven individuals who signed a national letter of intent to attend Stanford and compete with the women’s rowing team as announced Tuesday by head coach Yasmin Farooq.

“What an outstanding group of young women, and top to bottom one of the deepest recruiting classes we’ve ever had,” said Farooq. “All seven have impressed us in so many ways, and all are fantastic examples of scholar-athletes who have truly embraced both academics and rowing throughout their high school careers.”

The seven signees will join a team that is accomplished both on the water and in the classroom. With a NCAA Championship in 2009 and Pac-12 Championship in 2014, the Cardinal has shown it can compete at the top of collegiate rowing. All while maintaining one of the highest team GPA’s (3.5) and a 100-percent graduation rate at an institution ranked fourth in the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings.

“When I look closely at each of them, the thing that stands out to me is what incredible teammates they are going to be,” said Farooq. “Each of them has so much to give, and their collective desire to contribute, work hard and go fast stood out at every stage of the process. They are fantastic people first and foremost, who are committed to learning and growing here. I’d like to recognize Assistant Coach Nate Rooks for his efforts in finding such perfect fits—for our team, and for Stanford.”

The seven signees come from four different states and two countries, including Canada, Northern Ireland, California, Illinois, Iowa and Washington. Here is a look at each individual who signed with the Women of Stanford.

Erin Barry – Bushmills, Northern Ireland

• Attends Coleraine High School
• Rows for Bann Rowing Club
• Three years competed for Ireland in national competition
• Four years at the Rowing Ireland Talent Identification Camp
• Competed at the 2013 Junior World Championships in the 4x
• Raced in the 1x at the 2014 Junior European Championships and the Coupe de la Jeunesse
• Named her school’s Sportswoman of the Year in 2014
• Silver in the novice 8+ and bronze in the junior varsity eight at the 2013 Irish Rowing Championships
• Silver in the junior 4- at the 2012 Irish Rowing Championships
• Semifinalist in the junior 2x at the 2013 Henley Women’s Regatta
• Most Improved Oarsperson in 2012 for Bann Rowing Club
• Holds the 2km record
• Also participated in golf and was a two-year captain
• Received half honors in golf and colors in rowing
• Sister, Caitlin, rows at Oxford Brookes University
• Father, Robert, played rugby at Ulster Schools
• Mother, Samantha, played field hockey at the University of Newcastle

Barry on Choosing Stanford
“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!”

Farooq on Barry
“The first time I met Erin I knew she would fall in love with The Farm. Her easygoing nature belies a passionate competitor - classic Stanford. She related to everyone on the team immediately. Erin is so committed to rowing that she often drives over an hour each way to be able to train with top rowers in her area. She truly has the fever, and academically, she is just a brilliant student. Olympic single sculler Alan Campbell and Olympic medalists Peter and Richard Chambers are products of her club and she hopes to follow in their footsteps. We’ll do everything we can to help her achieve that goal.”

Anika Christofferson – Mercer Island, Wash.

• Attends Mercer Island High School
• Rows for Mount Baker Crew
• Crew team captain this year
• Varsity eight is undefeated in the fall of 2014
• Won the 2014 Northwest Regional Championship in the 8+ and 4+
• Placed sixth in the varsity 8+ at Junior Nationals
• Holds the Mount Baker 2k record
• Swam and played lacrosse until the 8th grade
• Plays trombone and performed in the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade

Christofferson on Choosing Stanford
“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!”

Farooq on Christofferson

“Anika first showed her talent - and spirit - at our summer camp, and then she just kept getting better and better. She is one half of the dynamic stern pair (the other half being recruit Margaret Seaton) that is driving the Mount Baker varsity eight right now. Her academic passion is biology, and she hopes to join the strong pre-med contingent of our team as she works towards medical school.”

Lindy Clute – Alamo, Calif.

• Attends Carondelet High School
• Rows for Oakland Strokes
• Won gold in the varsity 8+ at the USRowing Junior Nationals
• Two-time winner of the varsity 8+ at the Southwest Junior Championships in 2013 and 2014
•  Won the youth 8+ at the 2013 Head of the Charles
• USRowing Scholastic Honor Roll honorable mention
• Also on the swimming team in 2012 and water polo team in 2011
• Competed at the NCS Championships in swimming in 2012
• Brother, Davis, is a redshirt freshman on the Stanford men’s water polo team
• Sister, Deirdre, is a swimmer at Harvard
• Plays the piano and violin

Clute on Choosing Stanford
“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!”

Farooq on Clute
“Lindy stroked the Oakland Strokes varsity eight to a national championship last year. She personifies willpower, courage, and pure focus. We are excited to work with her quiet determination, fierce competitiveness, and clear boat-moving ability and help her take her athleticism to the next level. It will also be fun to see her join her brother Davis as a Stanford student-athlete!”

Stephanie Grauer – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

• Attends Crofton House School
• Rows for Rowing British Columbia and Burnaby Lake Rowing Club
• Invited to the 2014 Junior National Team Camp
• Silver in the junior women’s single at the 2013 RCA National Rowing Championships
• Bronze in the junior women’s single at the 2014 RCA National Rowing Championships
• Won the single sculls at the BC Championships/Challenge West
• Grandfather, Dal, won a gold medal with the Canada lacrosse team at the 1928 Olympics
• Mother, Leila Bell-Irving, played squash at the University of British Columbia
• Brother, Angus, plays field hockey at the University of British Columbia

Grauer on Choosing Stanford
“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.”

Farooq on Grauer
“Olympic gold medalist Ben Rutledge first approached us about Stephanie Grauer’s potential as a top college rower and then gave us steady updates about her progress. At our summer camp, she confirmed she was the real deal. When we met her parents, it became clear that they knew she could achieve her full potential, on and off the water, at Stanford. We are very excited to see Steph continue her progress and bring her skills to our boats.”

Margaret Seaton – Mercer Island, Wash.

• Attends Mercer Island High School
• Rows for Mount Baker Crew
• Won the varsity eight and varsity four at the 2014 Northwest Regionals
• Owns the third fastest 6,000 meter erg time in Mount Baker history
• Two-year member of the swimming team and competed in the Ironman for two years
• Helped lead the swimming team to state championships her freshman and sophomore year
• Won a state championship in the 200 freestyle relay as a sophomore
• Placed second at state in the 200 medley relay her freshman year

Seaton on Choosing Stanford
“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"

Farooq on Seaton
“Margaret is mature beyond her years. Individually and academically, she knows what she wants and has never taken a shortcut. She takes the “student” in “student-athlete” seriously and will fit in perfectly with the mindset of what it means to be a Stanford student-athlete. As a teammate, she understands how to bring out the best in others and how to find ways to continuously progress and improve. This dedication and determination are exactly why she will be a great fit on our team.”

Elizabeth Sharis – Bettendorf, Iowa

• Attends Pleasant Valley High School
• Rows for Y Quad Cities Rowing
• USRowing and row2k Fan’s Choice Junior Athlete of the Year in 2014
• 2012 Rowing Related Breakthrough Performance of the Year
• Silver medal in the quadruple sculls at the 2013 World Junior Championships in Trakai, Lithuania
• At the 2012 World Junior Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria she finished second in the quadruple sculls
• Claimed 10th in the single sculls at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Hamburg, Germany
• Finished fourth in the under 19 single sculls at the 2011 Canadian Henley
• Gold medal in the 4x at the 2014 USRowing Youth Nationals
• Nine-time gold medal recipient at USRowing Club Nationals
• Three-time winner of the youth double sculls at the Head of the Charles, setting a course record in 2010
• Gold in the double sculls at the 2011 Youth Nationals, prior to starting high school
• Holds five ages 13-18 indoor rowing world records at 1,000 meters, 5,000 meters, 6,000 meters and 60 minutes and American indoor rowing records in the 1,000 meters, 6,000 meters and 30 minutes
• Father, Peter, was an Olympian in the pair in 1992 and two-time national champion at Harvard
• http://qctimes.com/sports/high-school/top-rowing-recruit-sharis-picks-stanford/article_52725f21-3378-5677-b5a0-70a6b4b960b9.html
• http://www.ourquadcities.com/story/d/story/elizabeth-sharis-rower-going-to-stanford/40769/QNTBsMG79ESSDPi8TQZT7g

Sharis on Choosing Stanford
“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.”

Farooq on Sharis
“I’ve been watching Elizabeth develop for many years and it’s been a joy to see her hard work and focus pay off with so much success at the national and international level - in both individual and team events. Her incredible focus and desire to be the best, combined with uncanny humility, make her an ideal fit for us. She’s a quiet force as a single sculler and an excellent team boat rower as well. Best of all, she’s a fantastic teammate.”

Chase Shepley – Crystal Lake, Ill.

• Attends Crystal Lake Central
• Rows for Chicago Rowing Foundation
• Chosen to compete at the 2013 U.S. Junior National Team High Performance Camp and was selected for the Club Nationals team
• Competed at the 2014 Junior National Team High Performance Camp and was chosen for the CanAmMex team that won gold in Nova Scotia
• Placed eighth at the Youth National Championships in the varsity eight in 2014
• Second at the Midwest Junior Championships in the varsity eight in 2014
• Named the 2013 Spring MVP for Crystal Lake Rowing Club
• Most Improved Rower for the Chicago Rowing Foundation in 2014
• Also competed in basketball, swimming and track & field
• Swam at the club level for nine years
• On the Sectionals Team in the 200 IM
• Made the Sectionals Team in the discus and shot put
• Father, Aaron, ran cross country and track & field at Eastern Illinois University
• Sister, Madison, rowed at the University of Wisconsin
• Grandfather, Donald Daniels, played in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1956
• http://www.nwherald.com/2014/10/29/rowing-crystal-lake-central-high-schools-chase-shepley-to-sign-with-stanford/azsav6/

Shepley on Choosing Stanford
“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.”

Farooq on Shepley
“Chase embodies honesty and hard work. She is an all-around athlete, who has performed at a high level and understands how to take risks and test her limits. She is unassuming and truly hungry to continue to improve as a rower. Highly in demand, she accepted the challenge to come here and continue to push her limits. There is no doubt in my mind that she is going to be a huge contributor to our team and to Stanford."