Q: Talk about your first encounter with sports...

A: I grew up in a family that always encouraged outdoor activity. In the summer we did a lot of hiking in the Adirondack Mountains near our cottage, and we didn't have a TV, so my sister and I were always swimming or canoeing rather than sitting inside. My parents also enjoyed cross- country skiing in the winter and introduced my sister and me to it at an early age.

Q: What led or motivated you to play?

A: The first sport I started doing competitively was cross-country, or Nordic, skiing. Our local ski club hosted races periodically, and it seemed like a natural thing to get involved with. In middle school I became interested in competitive swimming and field hockey, which led to my joining the "modified" or 7th and 8th grade teams at school. Most of my friends were involved in sports, and the teams provided natural peer groups. Upon entering college, I wanted to try something new. I had learned to sail at summer camp but had very little competitive sailing experience. The Yale Sailing team's welcoming attitude toward all levels and abilities was just what I needed and I soon found sailing becoming one of the major activities that would define my college career.

Q: In your hometown, what was the sports culture like for girls?

A: Everyone in my hometown (Queensbury, New York) was very supportive of girls' sports. There were many girls' sports teams at Queensbury Middle School and High School and a large number of girls were part of one or more teams.

Q: How did you get to where you are today and what would you attribute that to?

A: My parents have played a huge part in where I am today. Their supportive, but not pushy attitude has contributed tremendously to making me excited about sports and not burned out. My father has always been there waxing my skis for me before every ski meet and giving me last minute advice, and my mother has always been great at supporting me on and off the field, driving me to and from events, and cooking team dinners among so many other things. Having my sister around has also been great. Although we've competed in the same sports since we were young, there's never been much competition between us. Nell and I love the fact that participating in the same sports allows us to spend time with each other.

Q: What has playing sports done for you?

A: I think it's definitely true that being on a sports team teaches you how to manage your time well. I'm a History and International Studies double major, so I always have plenty of reading or paper writing to do. When I'm in season, I have to plan my schedule carefully to make sure that I have time to do all the necessary research or preparation for my classes around sailing time. During the winter off from sailing I don't go to bed earlier or get more sleep, I just end up not doing as much during the day! Getting exercise is also very important to me mentally. It helps me focus and makes me feel better in general. One of the best ways for me to de-stress is to go for a quick trip to the gym.

Q: At what point did you realize you wanted to go to an Ivy League school?

A: Both of my parents attended Yale -- my father as an undergraduate, and my mother for graduate school. In addition, we lived in this area when I was little because both of my parents worked at Yale. So, I spent a fair amount of time hanging around here growing up and always had a fondness for The University. My parents always took us to the Yale/Harvard football game -- after cheering for Yale so many years there wasn't any way I could go to Harvard! I knew that I wanted to attend an Ivy League school when I started going through the college application process. I wanted to go to a school that would provide me with the best possible education.

Q: Is there a certain athlete you admire and why?

A: Having been a competitive Nordic skier, I have always admired Bill Koch, the only person from the U.S. to ever win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing. He has also been influential in helping to spread Nordic skiing across the U.S. with the Bill Koch Youth Ski League and continues to be an innovator in skiing.

Q: What is the significance of Title IX to you?

A: Title IX is the reason that so many women have the opportunity to participate in college athletics today. Getting women's teams started on many campuses was a challenge, and would have been much more so without the push that Title IX provided. Gender equity considerations were one factor taken into account when Yale made sailing a varsity sport in 2002, so I have certainly been a direct beneficiary of Title IX's effects.

Q: What would you tell young girls who are interested in getting to where you are now?

A: Participate in a sport you love -- don't let anyone push you into playing a sport you aren't passionate about. If you don't enjoy the activity it will be tough to participate in that sport for many years. And don't be afraid to try new things -- I competed in Nordic skiing, synchronized swimming, swimming, and field hockey before I came to college, and now I've ended up sailing for four years. When you're competing or practicing, remember to always try to have fun!