Los Angeles – Heading in to what would have been the weekend of the West Coast Conference Championships, today LMU women's rowing honors our seniors, Jessica Apodaca, Anna Davis, Shannon Folan, Anne Marie Fountain, India Krappe, Olivia Lancefield, Ellery Martin, Tori Vandermyden, and Kamryn Walker. 
 
"The nine seniors that make up our graduating class of 2020 are an exceptional group of young women. As a first year head coach, I leaned heavily on our senior class to help permeate my vision and lead our team to believe in what could be accomplished with love and compassion for those around us," said Director of Rowing and Women's Head Coach Karl Huhta. "Resilient, positive, caring, and determined, they have shown our underclasswomen what it means to be a Lion. Many of the things I say about one of these amazing people I can repeat about the others. Their dedication to further our program over their four years of rowing, which would have possibly culminated for them this coming weekend, will be remembered for the coming years.  They are exceptional people and I will miss them dearly, and I am so thankful to have been able to be their coach for this year. To say I am proud of them for the character of person they are is an understatement."
 
Jessica Apodaca: Walked onto the team during her sophomore year and eventually became a team captain. A graduate student from Coalinga, California was part of a boat that placed second in the grand final of the Varsity 8+ at the 2018-19 San Diego Crew Classic, which was a historical finish for the program.
 
Huhta: Jessica Apodaca was a Lion in the truest sense of the term. Jess was a captain and leader on our team, not just in her approach to training and practices, but in how to conduct yourself as a citizen of LMU and a Lions student-athlete.  A force of positivity and determination, she gave so much of herself to our program and her teammates. Jess' ability to stay present and eloquently share her appreciation of the gifts we have at LMU with her teammates and the privileges we have access to in order for us to be better people will always stay with me. Jess truly understands the importance of building quality relationships, and that perspective will serve her well in life. The quintessential teammate and an outstanding human being, a piece of her will always remain with LMU rowing.
 
Anna Davis: Was a walk on as a freshman and worked her way boats that finished second in the Varsity 4+ at the WIRA Championships and another second place Varsity 4+ finish at the WCC Championships as a sophomore. During the 2018-19 season her boat finished first in the Second Varsity 4+ at the WCC Championships.
 
Huhta: Anna Davis has been a joy to get to know over the past season. Many of the characteristics she excels at will bring her much future success.  Anna has demonstrated a relentlessly positive attitude, even when life has thrown many challenges her way, and done it with a grace few people would be able to manage.  Anna is a determined person that does right in the world, and always supports those around her.  The team means so much to Anna, and she means so much to the team. I am thankful for the opportunity to know here and cannot wait to see what obstacles she tackles in the next stage of her life.
 
Shannon Folan: Sat at the stroke seat most of her time at LMU and finished first in the Second Varsity 4+ at the WCC Championships as a sophomore. During the 2018-19 season she was on a boat the finished first in the Varsity 4+ at the WCC Championships, a historical finish for the program. 
 
Huhta: The Shannon Folan I got to know and see this year impressed me on a routine basis. It appeared to me that when Shannon sets her mind to something, she accomplishes it and accomplishes it well.  Shannon was one of the most coachable student-athletes I have worked with, and she was primed to reap the rewards for her hard work by stepping up and being a crucial member of our team.  Shannon is relentless.  Always pushing for improvement.  She is a tough and adaptable person, two skills that will serve her well in the years to come. Shannon seeks challenges, and is a great teammate through and through.  It is a loss for our team to have Shannon departing us and moving on with her future, but at the same time, our team is better for having had her on it.  I am excited to see what the future holds for her.
 
Anne Marie Fountain: Was a member of the Varsity 8+ boat that finished second in the grand final of the WIRA Championships during the 2018-19, which was a historical finish for the program. During her freshman and sophomore seasons she was part of in the Top-3 in the Second Varsity 8+ at the WCC Championships, respectively. 
 
Huhta: Anne Marie Fountain, in my opinion, was having a break out season.  Anne Marie is a leader in so many aspects and, while not officially a team captain, has been a person I have looked to in shaping the culture that will lead to prolonged success for our program.  With a big smile and a positive attitude, her energy and kindness improves the lives of those around her.  She is kind hearted and caring.  She fights for her teammates and pushes herself to the brink because she wants to be her best self for others. She never stops giving more and more of herself to the cause, and she fights for those she cares about.  These character traits will carry over into her next stages of life and lead to much success.  Anne Marie makes society a better place.
 
India Krappe: A senior from Portola Valley, California. During the 2018-19 season she was on the boat the finished second in the Grand Final in the Varsity 8+ at the San Diego Crew Classic, a historical finish for the program. Her boats also posted back-to-back second place finishes in the Second Varsity 8+ at the West Coast Conference Championships during her freshman and sophomore seasons. 
 
Huhta: India Krappe is one of the most dedicated student-athletes I have had the pleasure to coach.  Always looking to improve, India is determined to find to limits to her capabilities.  She cares deeply for others and for her team.  India is gutsy and tough, and never backs down from a challenge.  She is a fighter and looks to excel in all she does.  Coachable and gritty, she earned my trust quickly. We are excited to have India back next year as she pursues a Masters degree in Management and capitalizes on the waiver granted to seniors this past spring.
 
Olivia Lancefield: Walked on as a freshman and has been a solid member of the team throughout her time at LMU. Was a member of the Novice 8+ that finished seventh at the San Diego Crew Classic during the 2016-17 season.
 
Huhta: What makes Olivia Lancefield such a great teammate is that no matter what the day calls for, she is there doing everything in her power to contribute.  Always gives her best, always is trying to improve, and wants to do whatever she can for the greater good.  That resilient attitude is hard to come by, but she has it and embraces it.  Olivia is a friend to all, and with her constant smile and injection of positivity into our days, Olivia has done nothing short of add to the culture and atmosphere of our team.
 
Ellery Martin: A two-time member of the All-WCC Women's Rowing team was part of a boat that finished second in the Grand Final in the Varsity 8+ at the 2018-19 San Diego Crew Classic, a historical finish for the program. She posted at least a second place finishe in either the Varsity 8+ or Second Varsity 8+ throughout her career as a Lion.
 
Huhta: Ellie Martin is a quintessential leader.  She fights for what is right and just, and wants the best for those around her. In wanting the best for others, she gives so much of herself to the cause.  Ellie was a captain and leader of our squad.  She works so hard, and she leads outside of our team as well.  Resolute and caring, her steadfastness and constant drive will bring her incredible success in her future. She earned my trust quickly, and I thank her for trusting me too.
 
Tori Vandermyden: Was a walk on as a freshman and has been a consistent contributor throughout her career. During the 2018-19 season she was on a boat that finished first in the Second Varsity 4+ at the West Coast Conference Championships. 
 
Huhta: Tori Vandermyden is a mighty person.  She is mighty not just in strength, but it positivity, care for others, and being a great teammate.  There is a genuineness and kindness about her that you can immediately feel radiating outwards.  She is steady and hardworking, gritty and helpful.  A real team player that doesn't ask questions, just shows up and puts forth her very best effort at all times, no matter the situation. Her sunny disposition rubs off on her teammates, and she is loved by them all. Tori never backs down, and a tremendous amount of success awaits her because of that.
 
Kamryn Walker: Walked on as a coxswain as a freshman and has been a key member of the rowing program. During the 2018-19 season placed first in the Second Varsity 4+ at the West Coast Conference Championships. 
 
Huhta: Kamryn Walker, in a general term, has a bright future. I know this, because in the short time I have gotten to coach Kamryn, you see the infusion of energy and electricity she brings into any space.  Kamryn was studying aboard in the fall of this season, as she prepared for her next stage of life. I am sad that I only had a shortened semester with her, because this young woman knows how to inject electricity into your life and makes you want to be around them more. Lighthearted and caring, her infectious laugh and personality makes her beloved by others. She is willing to give anything she can to help others and improve the team, and I could not appreciate that enough.  I am excited to see what success she achieves next.