Varsity eight finishes second nationally

Despite being left out of the team NCAA Championships after a controversial decision, Stanford women’s crew got the most out of this past weekend’s championships when its varsity eight came in second place in the Grand Final. It was the team’s best finish in program history.

“We knew it was anyone’s race to win today, and we knew it would take our greatest race be in the fight for first,” senior Steph Morrison said to GoStanford.com. “I’m so proud to be part of a team that has the courage to rise to challenges like today’s, and I’m grateful for our coaches whose precise and purposeful training put us in position to be able to excel today.”

The Cardinal finished in second just behind Yale. Though the team was excluded from the 12-team championship tournament despite its No. 6 national ranking, Stanford was able to prove itself this weekend and end the season on a high note.

“It was a tremendous and gutsy effort,” head coach Yasmin Farooq told GoStanford.com. “They risked everything, led the race, and went for the win. They stepped up to the challenge on the biggest stage in this country. I am honored to coach this team.”

Clayton named ITA All-American

Putting a cap on his incredible first year on the Farm, freshman Alex Clayton was recently named an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American.

Clayton had an outstanding freshman campaign, as he was ranked in the nation’s top-five for nearly the whole year. He went 30-9 on the year and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Championships before falling to Virginia’s Somdev Devvarman, the eventual tournament winner.