California: 2007 (Freshman) Rowed in the varsity 8+ in the Pac-10 Championships and NCAA Championships.
Personal: Undeclared major interested in interdisciplinary studies...rowed for Nesteen Soutajat in high school...won the Finnish national championships in the single (2005, 2006), double (2004, 2006, 2007), and quad (2005, 2007)...parents are Pertti and Heli Karppinen...father, Pertti, won multiple Olympic gold rowing medals for Finland...born March 4, 1987, in Raisio, Finland.
The best part about being on Cal crew is: Being challenged everyday by my teammates and myself. I love that every practice is about going hard and pushing the limits.
The best part of the University is: Receiving a world-class education.
My greatest achievement/finest moment was: My first regatta as a Cal athlete when I realized what it meant to "Be Cal."
I chose Cal because: I came to Cal because it has a world-known reputation and the crew team is one of the top programs in the world.
