Melissa Alberding Hometown: Decatur, Ind. High School: Bellmont Height: 5-8 Birthdate: 01/15/1979

FALL OF 2001: Is a fifth-year senior after missing her junior season studying abroad ... sat in the third seat of the second varsity eight which placed second at the Chicago Chase in 16:42.40 S was ninth at the Head of the Rock in Rockford, Ill. ... rowed in the second seat of the second varsity eight at the Milwaukee River Challenge, placing third.

AS A SENIOR: Earned her second monogram as a member of the second varsity eight crew S named to the BIG EAST Academic All-Star team ... second varsity eight crew enjoyed its most successful season ever, finishing first or second in every race but one during the spring, including the BIG EAST Rowing Challenge ... crew placed second to Syracuse at BIG EAST event by less than one second ... also won the Indiana Cup and dual races against Dayton and Tennessee ... was second in the petite final and ninth overall at the San Diego Crew Classic ... rowed in the second seat of the varsity eight boat during the fall season ... took the gold medal at the Head of the Elk Regatta winning in 13:27.70 ... it was the first gold medal for a Notre Dame varsity eight boat in a race of the that magnitude in the history of the program ... boat took second in the Chicago Chase, third at the Head of the Rock and third at the Head of the Grand ... also won a gold medal in the second varsity four race at the Head of the Elk.

AS A JUNIOR: Missed the 1999-2000 season studying abroad in Rome, Italy, as part of her curriculum as an architecture major.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Was part of the first varsity eight vessel in Notre Dame's first season as a varsity program ... rowed in the third seat as the Irish placed third at the Thomas White Regatta ....rowed in the sixth seat of the second varsity eight boat against Michigan State and Creighton as the Irish placed second ... was third against Ohio State and Michigan rowing back in the fourth seat ... rowed in the fourth seat the remainder of the season as the Irish were second against Navy and MIT, fourth at the Georgetown Invitational and sixth at the Midwest Championships.

PREP AND PERSONAL: Earned four varsity letters (two in cross country, two in track and field) at Bellmont High School ... was team captain of the cross country squad her senior season which won the regional championship ... was a member of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir her freshman and sophomore years ... a member of Welsh Family Hall Council ... is the sportswear commissioner of that group ... is one of five children in her family ... parents are Jeananne and Stephen Alberding ... born Jan. 15, 1979, in Blufton, Ind. ... enrolled in the College of Architecture majoring in architecture.