Minnesota coaxes Stockstad with Coxswain position
Senior Anna Stockstad got a Division 1 scholarship to row at the University of Minnesota this fall. Stockstad committed to University of Minnesota in November. She has succeeded in the past three years as a coxswain, who sits in the stern and steers the boat, for Long Beach Junior Crew.
“I have been a coxswain for three years. I started after seeing rowing in the Olympics and I did a learn-to-row camp at my club,” Stockstad said. “I fell in love with the leadership and responsibility [that comes with] being a coxswain, as well as the thrill of the sport.”
Stockstad competes regionally and nationally at the junior level. She has raced in multiple regattas, series of boat races, across the country. Stockstad has already received four gold medals this
season.
Stockstad got scholarship offers from four universities, and after much deliberation, chose to accept her offer from the University of Minnesota. “I was born in Minnesota and lived there for more than half of my life, so I’m returning home for college. I’ll be rowing on the Mississippi River in my home state, so this makes me even more excited to be going to the University of Minnesota,” Stockstad said. “The level of competition on a D1 team is much more intense than at the junior level. Plus, I will have close teammates that I’ll be happy to call my family.”
University of Minnesota has many high-level athletes on its rowing team, with many players winning All-American titles. Stockstad hopes to exceed these high expectations as a coxswain.
“Coxing for Division 1 rowing program will be an amazing experience for Anna. For the next four years she will be surrounded by the best rowers in the U.S. and will live in the best environment that a sportsman can be,” Long Beach Junior Crew head coach Rodrigo Rodrigues said.
Stockstad is hopeful that she will grow as a coxswain on the Minnesota rowing team and hopes to compete in the NCAA championship. Rodrigues has confidence that Anna will continue to get better in college.
“Anna has improved her understanding about rowing and its details so much for the last six months;
her leadership is becoming more evident and it will definitely make a difference for her to achieve a great position on her team next year.”
Stockstad looks forward to her season and new life in University of Minnesota, and has visited the school
multiple times.
“I have already visited the campus twice, [and] I will be returning over the summer for orientation and welcome week,” Stockstad said. “For now, I am finishing up racing with my junior team.”
