Washington State University Athletics

WSU CAREER: Rowed as part of a pair in the fall of SENIOR (2018-19) season…started with an 11th-place finish at the Burnaby Small Boat Invitational along with Grace Arnis…also rowed with the varsity eight…rowed with the second varsity eight throughout the spring, finishing fifth at the Pac-12 Championships…named a CRCA National Scholar-Athlete…as a JUNIOR (2017-18), opened the spring season with the second varsity eight placing fourth at the San Diego Crew Classic…helped the Cougar’s ninth-straight win against Oregon State for the Winchell Cup taking first place with the second varsity eight…at the Clemson Invitational, the second varsity eight placed seventh in their heat helping WSU finish sixth overall…took first place at its race against Gonzaga for the Fawley Cup with the second varsity eight…rowed with the second varsity eight in the Pac-12 Championships and took fifth…to finish the season the second varsity eight competed at the NCAA Championships and secured fourth place…as a SOPHOMORE (2016-17), rowed solely with the second varsity eight throughout the year…crew finished first in the ‘B’ Final at the Clemson Invite, with team finishing fourth overall…seated as bow, helped her crew to a top four finish at the Pac-12 Championships, team finished in the top four for the third-straight year…crew battled to a second place finish in the ‘C’ Final, to secure 14th place overall, with the team finishing 14th…selected to the Pac-12 Rowing All-Academic Second Team…named a CRCA 2017 Scholar Athlete…as a FRESHMAN (2015-16), rowed past No. 19 Gonzaga with the second varsity eight to open the season…helped the second varsity eight to a second-place finish behind No. 14 USC at day one of the San Diego Crew Classic…crew finished sixth in the grand final at the Classic…continued to help power the second varsity eight crew at No. 8 Washington, and throughout the Clemson Invite…at Clemson, crew finished second behind No. 3 Virginia in heat three of the first session…also placed second in heat three of the second session behind No. 10 Michigan…raced past five crews on the final day, finishing second to No. 4 Ohio State in heat one…rowed with the second varsity eight to a five-second win over Oregon State, while the Cougars swept all events to win a seventh-straight Winchell Cup.

HIGH SCHOOL: Competed in basketball and rowing at Stelly’s Secondary School in Victoria, B.C...captain of Victoria City Rowing Club…competed in CanAmMex in 2014 and 2015…Royal Canadian Henley U17 finalist in 2012 and 2013…named most outstanding novice in 2012.

PERSONAL: Born Taija Thompson, May of 1997 at Victoria, B.C…mother Andrea…brother Mateo…majoring in kinesiology.