Mary Whipple To Be Inducted Into Husky Hall of Fame
October 21, 2016 | Women's Rowing
SEATTLE – Former University of Washington rower Mary Whipple will be inducted to the Husky Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 HOF class on Sunday, October 23 at Alaska Airlines Arena.
Whipple, a Sacramento, Calif. native, was a four-time letter winner for the Washington women's rowing program from 1999-02. While at the UW, Whipple received many honors that included All-Pac-10 in 2002, first-team All-Academic All-Pac-10 in 2001, and CRCA first-team All-American from 2000-02. This Sunday she will join a group of only 203 athletes that make up the Husky Hall of Fame.
"I'm really humbled because I looked up to so many of my teammates and alumni while at Washington and even more now as an alum. They've shaped who I am today and enabled me to further my athletic career beyond college. I've always wanted to strive to be a good teammate and be considered a valuable team member so being inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame is a huge honor that I dedicate to everyone who has helped me along the way," said Whipple
Whipple was part of a Washington team that saw great success in the late 1990's and early 2000's. During her tenure, she won an NCAA championship as a coxswain for the UW varsity 8+ in 2001 and 2002 and with the varsity 4+ in 1999.
She coxed the UW crew that won the first-ever Henley Prize (women's open 8: now known as the Remenham Challenge Cup) at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in 2000.
Although she had many individual success stories, Whipple noted that it wasn't one single race that she is most proud of.
"My biggest success while at Washington isn't one particular race but rather how we raced. The culture that my coach, teammates, and I cultivated and how we approached racing is what I consider our biggest success," said Whipple.
Beyond the University of Washington, Whipple excelled on the national scene. She was a decorated three-time Olympian, rowing in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympics. Whipple coxed the U.S. women's 8+ to back-to-back gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, while also earning a silver medal as a coxswain in the 2004 Olympics.
"Each [Olympics] was so different and meaningful. In Athens (2004) we broke a 20 year drought by winning silver, in Beijing (2008) we discovered ownership of our lane and boat speed, and in London (2012) we stood up to pressure and wanted to see what we could become rather that defending what we did in Beijing," said Whipple.
"Getting to represent your country and doing something you truly love brings pride and I'm lucky to have had the chance to feel that pride at Washington and on the world stage," Whipple added.
Since retiring from competition, Whipple continues to give coxswain clinics around the country with her company, The 9th Seat. She also has two summer camps that run out of the Conibear Shellhouse. One camp is specifically for coxswains and the other is for rowers and coxswains. Both camps focus on leadership skills as well as skill instruction. Whipple also volunteers as a commentator for the Washington Rowing races.
You can learn more about the 2016 Husky Hall of Fame Ceremony HERE
Whipple, a Sacramento, Calif. native, was a four-time letter winner for the Washington women's rowing program from 1999-02. While at the UW, Whipple received many honors that included All-Pac-10 in 2002, first-team All-Academic All-Pac-10 in 2001, and CRCA first-team All-American from 2000-02. This Sunday she will join a group of only 203 athletes that make up the Husky Hall of Fame.
"I'm really humbled because I looked up to so many of my teammates and alumni while at Washington and even more now as an alum. They've shaped who I am today and enabled me to further my athletic career beyond college. I've always wanted to strive to be a good teammate and be considered a valuable team member so being inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame is a huge honor that I dedicate to everyone who has helped me along the way," said Whipple
Whipple was part of a Washington team that saw great success in the late 1990's and early 2000's. During her tenure, she won an NCAA championship as a coxswain for the UW varsity 8+ in 2001 and 2002 and with the varsity 4+ in 1999.
She coxed the UW crew that won the first-ever Henley Prize (women's open 8: now known as the Remenham Challenge Cup) at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in 2000.
Although she had many individual success stories, Whipple noted that it wasn't one single race that she is most proud of.
"My biggest success while at Washington isn't one particular race but rather how we raced. The culture that my coach, teammates, and I cultivated and how we approached racing is what I consider our biggest success," said Whipple.
Beyond the University of Washington, Whipple excelled on the national scene. She was a decorated three-time Olympian, rowing in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympics. Whipple coxed the U.S. women's 8+ to back-to-back gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, while also earning a silver medal as a coxswain in the 2004 Olympics.
"Each [Olympics] was so different and meaningful. In Athens (2004) we broke a 20 year drought by winning silver, in Beijing (2008) we discovered ownership of our lane and boat speed, and in London (2012) we stood up to pressure and wanted to see what we could become rather that defending what we did in Beijing," said Whipple.
"Getting to represent your country and doing something you truly love brings pride and I'm lucky to have had the chance to feel that pride at Washington and on the world stage," Whipple added.
Since retiring from competition, Whipple continues to give coxswain clinics around the country with her company, The 9th Seat. She also has two summer camps that run out of the Conibear Shellhouse. One camp is specifically for coxswains and the other is for rowers and coxswains. Both camps focus on leadership skills as well as skill instruction. Whipple also volunteers as a commentator for the Washington Rowing races.
You can learn more about the 2016 Husky Hall of Fame Ceremony HERE
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