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Hockaday Athletes Announce College Decisions
Five members of the Class of 2024 signed National Letters of Intent today.
Avery Jackson ’24 will play beach volleyball at Stanford University following a four-year varsity career on Hockaday’s varsity volleyball team that included two SPC titles. Along with numerous All-SPC awards, she was named USA Volleyball’s Female Athlete of the Year and Beach Volleyball Clubs of America Best in Beach in 2023.
“As a coach you are always thinking about how to build the perfect team,” said Hockaday coach Andy Gass. “You think about what type of player you need in each position; what type of personalities will fit together, and can you find leaders that everyone will follow.
“We have been truly blessed to have one of those players, Avery Jackson. She has not only made herself better over her career but her teammates, her school, and her coaches. She has driven everyone to be the best versions of themselves.”
Avery plans to study Architectural Design with a minor in Spanish at Stanford. “I chose Stanford because of its high academic rigor and competitive athletic programs,” she said. “The opportunities athletes have to explore in the classroom are unlike any other university. California also offers the most opportunities to play beach volleyball professionally after college.”
“You always hear about legacies and leaving a program or sport it in a better place than it was when you arrived,” said Coach Gass. “Avery has done just that, and the Hockaday program and the game of volleyball will never be able to thank her enough.”
Abby Grace McGowan ’24 will join the rowing team at the University of Virginia following two years on Hockaday’s varsity team. She has won both state and Central region championships, as well as competing and finishing in the top 10 twice at the National Championships, first in the double and then in the straight four. She also earned Hockaday’s first medal in the Junior Quad at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia. Over the summer, Caroline trained in Alabama with Ready, Set, Row. Most recently, she was the bow seat in Hockaday’s coxed quad that finished 11th at the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston.
“A current co-captain, Abby Grace brings a joy of rowing and a tenacious work ethic to the team,” said Hockaday coach Will Forteith.
“I chose UVA because of the combination of rigorous academics and the team atmosphere,” said Abby. “It has always been my dream school and when I went there on my visit and met the team and coaching staff, it felt like home. I was amazed by the team culture, that I hadn’t seen at any other team, and amazing training environment.”
Caroline Stevens ’24 will join the rowing team at Georgetown University. She earned Hockaday’s first medal in the Junior Quad at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia in 2023 and went on to race at Scholastic Nationals and Youth Nationals. Over the summer, she trained in Philadelphia with PennAC Gold. Most recently, Caroline was the three seat in Hockaday’s coxed quad that finished 11th at the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston.
“Even though she came to the sport later than most, Caroline won the novice quad at Central Regions and quickly moved into the top varsity boats her junior year because of her work ethic, coachability, and constant drive to improve,” said Hockaday coach Will Forteith.
“I chose Georgetown because of its exceptional community that spoke to both my ambitions as a student and dedication as an athlete,” said Caroline. “Georgetown’s commitment to building up the individual, coupled with its emphasis on service will empower me to pursue my passions at the McDonough School of Business where I plan to study Finance. When I visited Georgetown, the team was incredibly welcoming, and I am immensely grateful to join a group of women who will challenge me to transcend my limits while I grow alongside them.”
Zoe Stone ’24 will join the rowing team at Georgetown University. Her junior year, she earned Hockaday’s first medal in the Junior Quad at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia in 2023 and went on to race at Scholastic and Youth Nationals, where she finished fourth in the Straight Four. Over the past summer, Zoe trained in Boston with CRI. Most recently, Zoe was the two seat in Hockaday’s coxed quad that finished 11th at the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston.
She finished in fourth place at Youth Nationals in the 1V4 and third place at the Royal Canadian Henley in the U19 8+.
“Chair of the Athletic Board and filled with boundless school spirit, Zoe brings positivity, determination, and commitment to the team,” said Hockaday coach Will Forteith.
“I chose Georgetown because I love DC, the community of the rowing team, and the university's commitment to service,” said Zoe. “I am planning on studying Global Affairs or International Relations at the Walsh School of Foreign Service.”
Jaden Thomas ’24 will play soccer at Stanford University following four years on Hockaday’s varsity team, where she was a two-time SPC champion. On her club team, FC Dallas, she was named the ECNL Texas Conference Player of the Year in 2023, an ECNL Under-17 All American in 2023, and was selected as a member of the Under-17 National Team in February 2023. She is currently rated as the third best player in Texas and ninth in the country by Top Drawer Soccer.
“Jaden has been a vital member of the varsity soccer team all four years of high school, and has been elected captain of the team by the players and coaches this year,” said Hockaday soccer coach Rod Skaife. “For two years she has been our top scorer, only missing out her second year due to injury which sidelined her for the whole season. Hopefully she will lead the program to a championship this year!”
She plans to major in economics and minor in computer science at Stanford. “I chose Stanford because it was always my dream school since I started playing soccer,” said Jaden. “It’s the place where you don’t have to sacrifice one of your priorities for another, it allows you obtain one of the best degrees possible while playing soccer at the highest level with the best in the country. On my official visit when I was driving up to the campus for the first time and saw the Stanford Oval, I got a feeling in my stomach and knew in my heart that this is where I was meant to be for the next four years.”
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