Lauren Portnow

Position:
Novice
Height:
5-2
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Chapel Hill, N.C.
High School:
St. Anthony's

Majoring in biochemistry ... One of two seniors on the 2005-06 roster ... Recipient of the 2004-05 James E. Altom Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Chemistry Research ... Has earned spots on the ACC Academic Honor Roll and the Dean's List ... Volunteers with the Pediatric Clinic Collaborative at UNC Hospitals ... Participates in the Carolina Leadership Academy's Veteran Leaders program

Coxing at UNC: In her third year on the varsity squad after a year on the novice squad ... In the spring of 2005, coxed the second varsity eight, which was undefeated until the ACC Championships ... Also coxed the second varsity eight in th fall of 2004, when her boat finished second at the Head of the Chattahoochee regatta ... In the spring of 2004, spent time in the varsity four (fourth at Dad Vail Regatta) and the second varsity eight (first against Georgetown and Indiana) ... Coxed the varsity four in the fall of 2003 ... Coxed the first novice eight in 2002-03, including a first-place finish at the Head of the Chattahoochee regatta in the fall of 2002

Before UNC: At St. Anthony's High School in Huntington, N.Y., rowed for the varsity crew team for three years after a year on the novice squad ... Rowed in the lightweight 4+ and 8+ boats that won state championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002 ... Also coxed in high school but didn't switch completely from rowing until she got to UNC

More on Portnow: Born March 4, 1984, in Huntington, N.Y. ... Daughter of Stephen and Kathleen Portnow ... Has one sister, Alison (22), who is a coxswain at McGill University in Montreal ... Her family now calls Chapel Hill home ... Favorite pastimes are cooking and running ... Says the word that best describes her is "meticulous" ... Dream job is to be an astronaut ... Five years after graduation, expects to be in medical school or starting her residency ... Spent part of last summer doing research in a chemistry lab ... Athlete she most admires is Mia Hamm ... Best moment in her athletic career has been being thrown in the lake by her rowers after winning at the Carolina Invitational in 2004

Portnow on coxing at UNC: "Being part of this team is one of the most rewarding feelings in my life. I'm reinspired every time we have an amazing practice and it really makes the time we spend together worthwhile."