Princeton University Athletics
Women's Lights Look To Contine Push Forward With Another Talented Trio Of Incomers
August 10, 2017 | Women's Rowing - Lightweight
There was a youthful energy that came from the Princeton women's lightweights this past spring, an energy powered by a highly touted trio of freshmen that helped the Tigers medal at both Sprints and the IRA national championships for the first time since 2011.
Head coach Paul Rassam is ready to build on that energy in 2018.
Despite losing a pair of All-America rowers in Juliette Hackett and Christina Warren, Rassam is optimistic about both the present and future of his program thanks to yet another talented incoming class, which includes Annie Anezakis, Emily Downey, and Lauren Sanchez.
"We are thrilled to follow up last year's very strong freshmen class with another stellar group," Rassam said. "We are building some real momentum with the inclusion of this trio. I can't wait to coach them."
The international trio — each of the three is from a different continent — joins a women's lightweight program that loses only two seniors from a varsity boat that placed third at both Eastern Sprints and the IRA national championships. Besides undefeated national champion Stanford, Princeton defeated every boat in the nation at least once last year, including wins over both Radcliffe and Wisconsin in the national final.
Here is a look at the Class of 2021:
Annie Anezakis
Melbourne, Aust. • St. Catherine's School
Before Princeton — stroked the St. Catherine's 8+ to a national title at the Sydney International Regatta as a senior captain … also won golds at the Melbourne Head, Ballarat Regatta, Lake Wendouree Regatta, Australian Henley, and Firbank Regatta … led the Mercantile club boat to a national title in the U21 4+, placed second in the U23 8+, and third in the U21 2- at the Sydney International Regatta … also won gold at the U21 Sydney International Regatta … won the U21 8+ event in back-to-back years at the Australian Henley … won gold in the 100m sprint and silver in the 90m hurdles at the Girls Sports Victoria Athletic Competition … earned the Margaret Woodlock Award for Sporting Excellence and the General Sport Award at St. Catherine's … two-time recipient of the St. Catherine's School Sports Award … recipient of both the Swimming Excellence Award and the Water Polo Excellence Award … earned Senior Athletics Coach's Award … House Captain and member of the student executive committee … received the Caltex Best All-Rounder Award and a General Award for Service to the School … Monash University Scholar.
Personal — born Aug. 11, 1998 … daughter of Desi and Manny Anezakis … has an older brother Leon … enjoys watching/playing sports, traveling, and animals … considering molecular biology and other math/science areas of study at Princeton.
Emily Downey
London, Eng. • City of London School
Before Princeton — led Lea Rowing Club to gold at the J18 championship at the National Schools Regatta (pairs) … represented England and won gold in the 8+ and 4+ at the Home International Regatta … earned silver at the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships … earned bronze in the 4x at the British Championships … reached the semifinal at the WJ16 Quads at the Henley Royal Regatta … competed for and captained several school teams, including swimming, gymnastics, football, badminton, netball, rounders, skiing and cricket teams … had been scouted for England ISFA U18 soccer team twice … earned the Award for Dedication and Commitment to Sport from the London Borough of Hackney, as well as the Jack Petchey Award for Leadership and Achievement … recipient of the Junior and Senior Sports Person of the Year at City of London School … won the Dudley Game Prize for Design Technology … won the International Honors Award.
Personal — born Nov. 21, 1998 … daughter of Jackie Enright and Jonathan Downey … has three younger siblings: Jay, Rudy, and Lyla … interested in the prison system I both the US and the United Kingdom, especially around the psychological factors that lead people to commit crimes … enjoys listening to music and traveling … considering pursuing a degree in the humanities, especially in the areas of history or psychology.
Lauren Sanchez
Medford, N.Y. • Patchogue Medford
Before Princeton — competed at 2016 National Championships in both the lightweight 2x and open 4x … won gold in the U19 1x and bronze in the U19 2x at the Independence Day Regatta … won gold in the U19 1x at the 134th Royal Canadian Henley … posted Top-10 finish in the 2x at the 2016 Head of the Charles … rowed for East End Rowing, Peconic Rowing and Long Island Rowing … coached by a pair of Olympians, Co Rentmeester and Michelle Zaloom … also lettered in track & field … ranked third of 647 at school … secretary general of Model UN … member of five Honor Societies (National, English, History, Music, Spanish) … National AP Scholar … National Hispanic Recognition Program through college board.
Personal — born Oct. 7, 1999 … daughter of Colleen and Ricardo Sanchez … has a younger sister Gabriel … plays the percussion … member of the Model UN … considering studying political science at Princeton.
Head coach Paul Rassam is ready to build on that energy in 2018.
Despite losing a pair of All-America rowers in Juliette Hackett and Christina Warren, Rassam is optimistic about both the present and future of his program thanks to yet another talented incoming class, which includes Annie Anezakis, Emily Downey, and Lauren Sanchez.
"We are thrilled to follow up last year's very strong freshmen class with another stellar group," Rassam said. "We are building some real momentum with the inclusion of this trio. I can't wait to coach them."
The international trio — each of the three is from a different continent — joins a women's lightweight program that loses only two seniors from a varsity boat that placed third at both Eastern Sprints and the IRA national championships. Besides undefeated national champion Stanford, Princeton defeated every boat in the nation at least once last year, including wins over both Radcliffe and Wisconsin in the national final.
Here is a look at the Class of 2021:
Annie Anezakis
Melbourne, Aust. • St. Catherine's School
Before Princeton — stroked the St. Catherine's 8+ to a national title at the Sydney International Regatta as a senior captain … also won golds at the Melbourne Head, Ballarat Regatta, Lake Wendouree Regatta, Australian Henley, and Firbank Regatta … led the Mercantile club boat to a national title in the U21 4+, placed second in the U23 8+, and third in the U21 2- at the Sydney International Regatta … also won gold at the U21 Sydney International Regatta … won the U21 8+ event in back-to-back years at the Australian Henley … won gold in the 100m sprint and silver in the 90m hurdles at the Girls Sports Victoria Athletic Competition … earned the Margaret Woodlock Award for Sporting Excellence and the General Sport Award at St. Catherine's … two-time recipient of the St. Catherine's School Sports Award … recipient of both the Swimming Excellence Award and the Water Polo Excellence Award … earned Senior Athletics Coach's Award … House Captain and member of the student executive committee … received the Caltex Best All-Rounder Award and a General Award for Service to the School … Monash University Scholar.
Personal — born Aug. 11, 1998 … daughter of Desi and Manny Anezakis … has an older brother Leon … enjoys watching/playing sports, traveling, and animals … considering molecular biology and other math/science areas of study at Princeton.
Emily Downey
London, Eng. • City of London School
Before Princeton — led Lea Rowing Club to gold at the J18 championship at the National Schools Regatta (pairs) … represented England and won gold in the 8+ and 4+ at the Home International Regatta … earned silver at the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships … earned bronze in the 4x at the British Championships … reached the semifinal at the WJ16 Quads at the Henley Royal Regatta … competed for and captained several school teams, including swimming, gymnastics, football, badminton, netball, rounders, skiing and cricket teams … had been scouted for England ISFA U18 soccer team twice … earned the Award for Dedication and Commitment to Sport from the London Borough of Hackney, as well as the Jack Petchey Award for Leadership and Achievement … recipient of the Junior and Senior Sports Person of the Year at City of London School … won the Dudley Game Prize for Design Technology … won the International Honors Award.
Personal — born Nov. 21, 1998 … daughter of Jackie Enright and Jonathan Downey … has three younger siblings: Jay, Rudy, and Lyla … interested in the prison system I both the US and the United Kingdom, especially around the psychological factors that lead people to commit crimes … enjoys listening to music and traveling … considering pursuing a degree in the humanities, especially in the areas of history or psychology.
Lauren Sanchez
Medford, N.Y. • Patchogue Medford
Before Princeton — competed at 2016 National Championships in both the lightweight 2x and open 4x … won gold in the U19 1x and bronze in the U19 2x at the Independence Day Regatta … won gold in the U19 1x at the 134th Royal Canadian Henley … posted Top-10 finish in the 2x at the 2016 Head of the Charles … rowed for East End Rowing, Peconic Rowing and Long Island Rowing … coached by a pair of Olympians, Co Rentmeester and Michelle Zaloom … also lettered in track & field … ranked third of 647 at school … secretary general of Model UN … member of five Honor Societies (National, English, History, Music, Spanish) … National AP Scholar … National Hispanic Recognition Program through college board.
Personal — born Oct. 7, 1999 … daughter of Colleen and Ricardo Sanchez … has a younger sister Gabriel … plays the percussion … member of the Model UN … considering studying political science at Princeton.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Women's Rowing - Lightweight
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Monday, June 06