California: 2010 (Senior): Rowed on the varsity 8+ that came in fourth at the NCAA Championships...took first in the varsity 8+ at the Pac-10 Championships, clinching the team title for Cal...second-team CRCA All-American and first-team All-Region...first-team All-Pac-10...first-team Pac-10 all-academic...CRCA scholar athlete.
2009 (Junior) A member of Cal's varsity 8+ that came in second at the Pac-10 Championships and third at the NCAA Cham-pionships.
2008 (Sophomore) Rowed on the varsity 8+ that finished fourth at the NCAA Championships and won the Pac-10 crown...named to the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) West Region first team and to the Pac-10 All-Conference team.
2007 (Freshman) Rowed in the varsity 8+ in the Pac-10 Championships that placed third and raced at NCAAs... was awarded Most Promising Freshman.
Personal: Undeclared major...rowed for the Oakland Strokes...awarded most improved athlete in 2004...won the 2004 and 2005 Junior National Championships and finished second in the 2006 Junior National Championship rowing in the varsity eight...parents are Moyra and Daig O'Connell...has a brother Dan...father and brother both rowed for Cal men's crew...born April 4, 1988, in Oakland, Calif.
National Team: Took sixth place with the U.S. pair at the 2007 World Rowing U23 Championships in Strathclyde, Scotland.
The best part about being on Cal crew is: Being on a team where everyone is willing to work until they drop and all the girls are extremely close and trusting of each other.
The best part of the University is: Always being able to talk with experienced and hardworking students, athletes and professors. Being surrounded by excellence, I can't help but learn something new every day.
My greatest achievement/finest moment was: When I first joined varsity and learned how to push myself past my breaking point.
I chose Cal because: It has excellent academics taught by top-notch professors and it has extremely supportive and successful athletic teams.
What sets Cal apart: Is Cal's athletic department staff. While we are out on the water giving it our all, the staff members are inside figuring out ways to help us be the best athletes we can be. They give 100 percent to the athletes they care so much about.
