CONCORD, CA, November 12, 2025—Carondelet High School announced that 14 Cougar student-athletes signed commitments today to continue their athletic career in college.
Addison Bowles has committed to playing Soccer for Iona University as a Gael. She has been playing soccer since she was three years old. Addison's honors include Team Captain for the Freshman and JV teams, Cougar Award (freshman and sophomore year), Varsity player (junior and senior year), 2024 ECNL Finalist Danville Mustangs, and 2025 Surf Cup Finalist. Addison chose Iona University because of their strong academics and soccer program, their beautiful campus, and welcoming coach and team. She can't wait for the next four years and the future that Iona will offer her. Congratulations, Addison, and go Gaels!
Taylor Chestnut is continuing her Water Polo career at Santa Clara University as a Bronco. Taylor started playing water polo when she was 10 years old. She has been on the Varsity Swim and Water Polo teams for all four years of high school. Taylor's honors include 4x USA Water Polo Academic All-American with Outstanding Honors and 7x NCS President's List for swimming and water polo. She chose Santa Clara because it allows for a good mix of academics and water polo, and enables her to pursue her major. It also provides a smaller learning environment that gives her a more tight knit connection to her education. Congratulations, Taylor, and go Broncos!
Layla Dixon is ready to bring her Basketball talent to the University of California, Davis as an Aggie. Layla's athletic accolades include California State Champion, CIF State Most Outstanding Player, NorCal Regional Champion, East Bay Athletic League Defensive Player of the Year, 2x First Team All-League, MaxPreps Top 15 California All-State Player, Cal Hi First Team All-State, North Coast Section Presidential Academic Award 4.0, Bay Area News Group First Team All-Bay Area, West Coast Preps First Team All-Bay Area, and the Carondelet Cougar Award. Layla chose Davis because of its prestigious academics, where she can continue to challenge herself, while staying close to home. Also, because of the relationship she has built with the Basketball team, both coaches and players, throughout her recruiting process. Congratulations, Layla, and go Aggies!
Josie Haast will embark on the next chapter of her Water Polo career at Indiana University as a Hoosier. Josie started playing when she was 11 years old. Josie's honors include NCS Scholar Athlete, EBAL All League First Team (freshman, sophomore, and junior years), Carondelet Athlete of the Year (junior year), Arroyo Grande Tournament All-Team (senior year), and Junior Olympics Honorable Mention with Lamorinda Water Polo Club (sophomore year). Josie chose Indiana University because of its balance between academics and athletics. Indiana is home to the Kelley School of Business, and the school has a fun sports atmosphere, which were both very big draws for her. She is super excited to join a Water Polo team with amazing players and coaches who will help her grow as an individual. Congratulations, Josie, and go Hoosiers!
Natalie Hilmen is continuing her Lacrosse career at Haverford College as a Black Squirrel. She has been playing Lacrosse since she was eight years old. Natalie earned EBAL Second Team (2025), Carondelet Offensive Player of the Year (2025), and Rookie of the Year (2023). She chose Haverford College because she really liked their balance of athletics and academics. She also loved the Lacrosse team community and everyone that she met on campus. She appreciates that they prioritize an environment of collaboration instead of competition. As well, she likes the campus location, which is very close to Philadelphia, with a train station on campus that can take you to any of the nearby schools or towns. Congratulations, Natalie, and go Black Squirrels!
Kat Kracht is ready to continue her Swimming career at Pepperdine University as a Wave. She has been swimming since she was five years old. Kat's accolades include Varsity swimmer every year in high school, three-year qualifying and finalist for both EBAL and NCS, 2023 CIF-NCS Champion Team, 2024 All America 200 Medley Relay, 2024 NCS 1st Place 200 Medley Relay, 2024 CIF State 4th Place 200 Medley Relay, and futures and sectionals qualifier. Kat chose Pepperdine because of its strong commitment to Christian values and high academic standards. She was also seeking a Swim team with a close-knit, competitive culture where she could contribute and grow as an athlete. The stunning campus in Malibu, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, immediately captured her attention, and she looks forward to weekly beach trips and workouts. Lastly, the small class sizes are ideal for her academic goals, especially as she pursues the pre-med track. Congratulations, Kat, and go Waves!
Katie Lin is ready to reach new goals in her Lacrosse career at Wellesley College as a Blue. She has been playing Lacrosse for ten years. Katie's honors include four-year Varsity athlete; a member of Team Taiwan (known as Team Chinese Taipei), covered in an athlete profile article by the Danville Patch; NCAA Presidents List; Mercury News Athlete of the Week nominee; played attack on Alliance National 2026, ranked #8 team in the nation; scored 109 points and 85 goals; and Team NorCal Elite top scorer. Katie chose Wellesley because of their strong academic programs. She intends to use their dual degree program to also receive a physics degree from MIT. She loves the campus and is excited to play with the team! Congratulations, Katie, and go Blues!
Clara O'Connor is ready to continue her Water Polo career at San Diego State University as an Aztec. She started playing Water Polo when she was 11 years old. Clara's accolades include Second Team All-League EBAL and NCS Scholar Athlete (freshman, sophomore, and junior years) and winning the NCS Open Division. Clara chose San Diego State because of the amazing area and weather. It is also close to home and the beach. The coaching staff at San Diego is very welcoming and supportive, and the players are nice and made her feel like she has known them forever. Congratulations, Clara, and go Aztecs!
Siena Santos is ready to reach new goals in her Swimming career at Virginia Tech as a Hokie. Siena started swimming when she was three years old. She swam Varsity every year at Carondelet. Siena's honors include Team Captain (junior and senior year), Varsity Swimming MVP (junior year), Mt. SAC High School Championship 200 IM Champion, three-year NCS and EBAL qualifier, two-time State qualifier, and USA swimming futures qualifier. Siena chose Virginia Tech for the excellent education and amazing Swim team. The team atmosphere was very welcoming when she visited, and she was very impressed with the coaching staff. Congratulations, Siena, and go Hokies!
Elle Sloan will embark on the next chapter of her Soccer career at the University of Houston as a Cougar. She has been playing soccer since she was four years old. Elle is a TopDrawerSoccer 3-Star Rated Player; was selected to play on the NorCal State Player Development Program; participated in ECNL Champions League with her club teams—Bay Area Surf and Mustang SC; is a four-year Varsity Letterman at Carondelet; NCS D1 Champions, EBAL Champions, and CIF D1 Finalist (in 2022–23); NCS D1 Finalist, EBAL 2nd Place, and CIF D1 Qualifier (in 2023–24); and NCS D1 Qualifier and EBAL Champions with an undefeated season (in 2024–25). Elle chose the University of Houston because of the high level of academics and athletics. She immediately felt welcomed by the coaching staff and the other athletes. She also has family nearby who can watch her play. Congratulations, Elle, and go Cougars!
Isabella Warner is ready to bring her Rowing talent to the University of Pennsylvania as a Quaker. Isabella's athletic accolades include three National Championship appearances, winning a National Championship in 2025, competing with Team USA at the International Rowing Challenge in 2025, 1st place in the youth mixed eight, and coming in 2nd behind New Zealand in the women's pair. Isabella chose Penn because both the academics and athletics will challenge and uplift her throughout her college experience. She is so excited to be a part of a team that fosters camaraderie, excellence, and competition. She loves the opportunity to study interdisciplinary programs in the competitive environment that will continue to drive her to be the best that she can be. Congratulations, Isabella, and go Quakers!
Mimi Westphal is continuing her Lacrosse career at Austin Peay State University as a Governor. She has been playing Lacrosse since she was seven years old. Mimi's honors include being a Varsity player throughout high school, and the top scorer on her Tenacity National Elite Club team. Mimi chose Austin Peay State University because she wanted to continue playing Lacrosse at the highest level while pursuing her education. She is especially excited to be one of the founding members of their program and help shape its future. She has also been accepted into their business program, and is looking forward to earning her BA degree and growing both on and off the field. Congratulations, Mimi, and go Governors!
Sarah Wright will continue her Water Polo career at the University of Michigan as a Wolverine. She started playing Water Polo when she was 10 years old. Sarah's honors include First Team All-League, Defensive Player of the Year, and NCS Scholar Athlete. She chose Michigan because she loves the school spirit, the team, the facilities, and the academic rigor. Sarah felt like it was the perfect balance between her academic needs and athletic capabilities. She knows that when she graduates from Michigan, she will have a degree and skills that will set her up for future success. Congratulations, Sarah, and go Wolverines!
Gretchen Yakaitis is ready to bring her Cross Country and Track talent to the University of California, Berkeley as a Bear. She started running her sophomore year. Gretchen's athletic accolades include: XC Varsity Most Improved Athlete and Track Varsity Most Improved Athlete Awards (in 2023–24); and XC Varsity - Cougar Award, EBAL - Honorable Mention All-League, Track Varsity - Girls Distance MVP, 5th in Cross Country at NCS, and 5th in 800m Track and Field (in 2024–25); First place in the Nike Portland Invitational; and 2nd place in Mt. Sac Sweepstakes race. Gretchen chose Cal because she loves how amazing Berkeley is academically, the diversity of the community, and the school's strong emphasis on sports. She also loved the team and the sports facilities. Congratulations, Gretchen, and go Bears!
Carondelet Athletics Director Alisa Payne said, "We are so excited to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Cougar student-athletes! These 14 talented young women exemplify the core values of our high school—displaying Heart, Faith, Courage, and Excellence in every facet of their academic and athletic pursuits. Through unwavering dedication and perseverance, they have cultivated the character, skills, and mindset essential for success in their collegiate athletic careers and beyond. We can't wait to cheer them on!"
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About Carondelet Athletics
Carondelet Athletics sponsors 39 teams, 20 sports, 500+ student-athletes with an average GPA of 3.65, and one Cougar Nation! In Carondelet's 60 years, the school has won 150 League Championships, 63 NCS Team Championships, 18 National Cheer and Dance Championships, eight Northern California Team Championships, four State Team Championships, three Individual State Championships, two National Team Championships, and one Individual National Championship. The high school offers a unique athletics experience where students enjoy the opportunity to develop athletic abilities concurrently with the development of the highest standards of scholarship, leadership, sportsmanship, school tradition, and spirit.
About Carondelet High School
Carondelet is an inclusive Catholic college-prep high school in the East Bay that offers young women a transformative educational experience. Since its founding in 1965, Carondelet has combined academic excellence and a recognition of the unique gifts of each of its students. The school's focus is a woman-centered, comprehensive educational program designed to help young women build confidence and prepare for leadership and service in the 21st century.
