Claire Willey

Class:
Freshman
Position:
Novice
Height:
5-2
High School:
Waukee Northwest HS
Hometown:
Waukee, Iowa

PRONUNCIATION

2023-24 | FRESHMAN
• Served as a coxswain for the Gophers' novice squad at four regattas in her first year on campus
• Raced to three fourth-place finishes on the 2N8 boat during the Big Ten Invitational (Apr. 19-20) from Sarasota, Fla.
• Guided the 2N8 boat to second place in a pair of duals versus Kansas and Kansas State at the Big 12/Big Ten Double Dual (Apr. 12)
• Raced in an exhibition during a dual against Gonzaga (Mar. 10) to open the spring in Chula Vista, Calif.
• Made her collegiate debut at the season-opening Head of the Mississippi Regatta (Oct. 7) and led the 2N8 crew to a third-place finish

PERSONAL
• Daughter of Joseph and Stacey Willey
• Has a younger brother, Brendan
• Graduated from Waukee Northwest High School in 2023
• Competed with Des Moines Rowing Club from 2018 to 2023 and served as a team captain from 2019-23
• A four-year academic letter recipient and named to the DMACC President's List twice
• Earned the Waukee Silver Cord, a community service program where students volunteer more than 175 hours
• Was a member of National Honor Society
• Enjoys painting, drawing, violin, and piano in her spare time
• Chose to attend the University of Minnesota because of "the numerous benefits and opportunities it will offer. The university provides an excellent education in my chosen major, biology, as well as exceptional coaching and accessibility to state-of-the-art training facilities. In addition, there is an
apparent close-knit family that makes you just feel at home when you walk through the doors."