Athlete Profiles

Ashley Didion '08

Hometown: Great Falls, VA

Major: Biology

Latest accomplishments in crew: Invited to 2007 NCAA National Leadership Conference; NEWMAC All-Conference Team (2005); first place at NEWMACs in the Novice Eight boat (2005).

Best thing about MHC crew: The women on the team are not only fun to hang out with but also fun to compete with. Each rower works hard to make herself and her teammates faster.

Best thing about Mount Holyoke: The atmosphere of women striving to learn as much as they can about new things is exhilarating. Our quench for knowledge can never be satisfied.

Sports played in high school: Crew, swimming, and dance.

High school accomplishments in crew: Two-time gold medalist at NCASRAs and States in the Varsity Lightweight-4 (sophomore year); bronze medal in the Varsity-4 at States (senior year).

Other interests: Paintball, hiking, and traveling.

Preya Nixon '08

Hometown: Brunswick, ME

Major: Sociology

Latest accomplishments in crew: All-NEWMAC Varsity Team (2007); Seven Sisters All-Regatta Team (2004); third place at New Englands in the Novice Eight boat (2005); winner of the U.S. Women's Point Trophy with the Thompson Boat Center team (summer, 2005).

Best thing about MHC crew: The balance of competition and support from each teammate.

Best thing about Mount Holyoke: The academics are great -- each day I leave class feeling challenged and having learned something new.

Sports played in high school: Crew.

High school accomplishments in crew: Received numerous school rowing awards; invited to the 2004 U.S. Junior Women's Selection Camp.

Other interests: Reading, music, and learning about different cultures.

Elissa Center '09

Hometown: Schenectady, NY

Major: Neuroscience and Behavior

Latest accomplishments in crew: CRCA Scholar Athlete (2007); NEWMAC All-Academic Team (2007); Seven Sisters Champions (2005); Rowing for the US Boston Development Camp (Summer 2006)

Best thing about MHC crew: Everyone on the team is so friendly and supportive. It is a wonderful environment for pushing myself and my teammates to accomplish more than we could ever do on our own.

Best thing about Mount Holyoke: The professors are so enthusiastic about their subjects and they make it fun to learn anything.

Sports played in high school: Crew and swimming

Other interests: Playing the flute, swimming, and reading

Mya Steadman '10

Hometown: Stonington, CT

Major: Chemistry

Latest accomplishments in crew: NEWMAC All-Novice Team (2007); Coxswain for undefeated novice boat (spring 2007);  SAAC Representative

Best thing about MHC crew: The team! The girls are like sisters in the boat, at the gym, or around campus. The commitment and dedication from these women to each other and to the team as a whole is my inspiration to do better than my best every day.

Best thing about Mount Holyoke: The opportunities that are given to students. I feel like I could do anything I want and I would have the support of the faculty, staff, and my peers.

Sports played in high school: Crew and cheerleading

High school accomplishments in crew: 2nd place, 2nd Varsity Boys Connecticut Champions;  Founders Cup Award (2006); Coach's Award for Outstanding Leadership, Commitment, and Dedication (2005) 

Other interests: Chemistry, sailing, anything outside, other sports (frisbee, football), music, cooking, and baking.