2019-20 Rookie of the Year Award | Anneka Hallstrom '23

First year Anneka Hallstrom (Crew) has been named the 2019-20 Wellesley College Athletics Awards recipient of the Rookie of the Year Award. 

Established in 2012, Rookie of the Year is awarded to a traditional first-year varsity student-athlete based on athletic performance (View Past Recipients). Student-athletes are nominated by their coaches and the honor is voted on by PERA Faculty and Staff.

In a close vote, Hallstrom was selected over fellow finalists Elizabeth Park (Swimming & Diving) and Thea Feldgoise (Soccer). Park was fourth in the 200 Breast and 9th in the 200 IM at this year's NEWMAC Championships, while also helping the Blue take home bronze in the 200 and 400 Medley Relays. She was named NEWMAC Swimmer of the Week on 11/03/19 and set new program marks in the 100 and 200 Breast this season. Feldgoise finished her rookie season as the leading scorer on the Blue soccer team, registering eight goals and five assists in 17 games. She was selected  NEWMAC Athlete of the Week on 09/03/19 after scoring a hat trick in her first collegiate game. 

Hallstrom did not have the rookie season she expected but made an immediate impact on the Blue Crew program this fall. Hallstrom solidified her position in the Blue Varsity 8+ (V8+) in the fall and was the only first year rower in Wellesley's top boat. She helped the Blue Crew V8+ secure 10th in the Division I event at the Head of the Housatonic before the team went on to take 2nd in the Women's Collegiate Eights at the Head Of The Charles Regatta. The finish was the highest in program history for Wellesley. At the conclusion of the first half of the season, Hallstrom had the fastest 6K score, 2nd fastest 2K score and 3rd fastest 60' test score on the team.

"She is the complete package," said Head Coach Tessa Spillane. "This showed during each and every workout over our indoor training phase of our short spring. I think what is most amazing about Anneka is her humility combined with her doggedness. She is a wonderful teammate and a great addition to our roster. She has a very bright future ahead of her."

Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.