Highlighting Alumni Athletes For International Women's Day

Check out the women-led class happening today in the Recreation Center at 5:00pm!
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By Jenevieve  Monroe
News Editor
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In honor of International Women’s Day and the Recreation Center’s women-led classes, here are some accomplished Gaels that began their athletic career at Saint Mary’s.  

​Valerie Fleming

Image c/o Michael Maloney, SF Gate

Olympic silver medalist in women’s bobsled, class of 03’
Growing up in Foster City, California, Fleming has always had a home in the Bay Area.  She grew up playing a variety of sports, spending her youth dreaming of becoming an Olympic athlete.  During her college undergraduate years, Fleming took up javelin at the University of California at Santa Barbara and placed as the women’s champion of the Big West Conference. Fleming then sought her master’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at Saint Mary’s College of California.  In February of 2006, she went to compete in women’s bobsledding at Italy’s Olympic Winter Games and came home with a silver medal.

Louella Tomlinson 

Image c/o Harry Cabluck, ESPN 

WNBL champion, Hungarian league champion, class of 11’
As the daughter of a triple-Olympian father and a double world champion mother, Tomlinson knew at a very young age that basketball would be her passion.  After graduating from high school in Melbourne, Australia, she attended Saint Mary’s College of California to receive her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology while also serving as a student athlete for the women’s basketball team.  Tomlinson left her mark internationally; by the time she graduated, Tomlinson had set an NCAA record with 156 blocks as a freshman.  She returned to Australia as a center for the Dandenong Rangers, leading them to victory in the 2011 to 2012 WNBL championship.  For the following season of 2013 to 2014, Tomlinson moved to Hungary to play for the Hungarian club  PINKK-Pécsi 424 and also led them to championship. 

In honor of these amazing Gaels, make sure to go check out the Recreation Center’s “Intro to Rock Climbing with Chloe” at 5:00pm (walk-ins welcome)!

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Image c/o Chloe Ourada