Lyzz Schwegler (’07), President
Lyzz joined the team in the middle of her freshman year at UCLA, and the team she discovered was small but had a lot of heart. Together with Sam, Matt Sirignano (’07), and their few intrepid teammates, Lyzz was able to build the team up to the membership it still enjoys today– over 30 students. Lyzz graduated in 2007, was a Women’s Varsity skipper for three years, Captain her junior and senior years, and voted Most Improved and Most Dedicated.
Lyzz recently started her own production company, where she produced fellow alum Bobby Gordon‘s (’08) one-man theater piece, “Debbie Does My Dad” at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She currently lives in Berkeley, CA.
Lyzz previously served as FOUST Vice President from 2009 to 2011.
Sam Wheeler (’08), Vice President
Sam graduated from UCLA in 2008, and was Captain of the Sailing Team his junior and senior years. He was Personnel Officer his sophomore year, and a Coed Varsity skipper for three years. Sam was also voted MVP and Most Dedicated two times each, and when he graduated was presented with an award from the team for all his dedication– his beloved tiller extension, mounted on a plaque.
Sam is currently a law student at UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall), and has been known to occasionally neglect his studies to hang around college sailing regattas.
Sam previously served as FOUST President from 2009 to 2011.
Emily Klopstein (’00), Secretary
Emily graduated from UCLA in 2000, and currently lives in Colorado with husband and fellow UCLA Sailing alum Carl Klopstein (’02). Emily and Carl recently celebrated the birth of their daughter Annabelle, who is probably destined to end up on the team someday…
Neha Bazaj (’10), Treasurer
Neha came to the team as a freshman in the spring of 2007. Despite not having prior racing experience, she quickly became a Coed Varsity crew, sailing with Mark Anders (’10-ish) from 2008 until her graduation in 2010. Neha also served as the team treasurer, preparing her well for her current role with FOUST.
Neha is currently working at a citrus farm in Redlands, where she manages a community nutrition program, among other things. She intends to pursue a career in agricultural policy.
Drew Morton (’11), Team Liaison
FOUST’s newest officer, Drew was elected Team Liaison after graduating this spring. Drew grew up sailing El Toros out of Santa Cruz Yacht Club and later graduated to Lasers, sailing mostly singlehanded boats until he came to UCLA. On the team, he served as personnel officer, organizing practices, regattas, and recruiting. He was also a varsity skipper, and sailed B Division when UCLA won the South 4 regatta this year.
Drew currently lives in Los Angeles and plans to go to medical school.
Former Officers:
Note that these bios have not been updated and may not be current.
Taryn Aguiar, Team Liaison 2010–2011
Taryn joined the team in the fall of 2007. She served as Social Chair prior to graduating early in 2010. Currently, Taryn lives in Los Angeles, where she is FOUST’s liaison to the team.
Blaize Wallace, Provisional Secretary 2009, Treasurer 2009–2010
Blaize (’07) came to the team late in his collegiate career, and has the distinction of being a member of the first huge class of “newbies” that Sam, Lyzz, and Matt were able to welcome into the family. His first year on the team, the six returning members initiated a class of almost twenty. Blaize had never sailed competitively before he joined the team, and although as per team policy he began as a crew, his technical prowess and 6’4″ height ensured he quickly moved up to skipper.
Kelly Kephart, Team Liaison 2009–2010
Stephanie Spilker, Secretary 2009–2010
Matt Sirignano, Provisional Treasurer 2009
Matt (’07) joined the Sailing Team at the beginning of his freshman year, just few months before Lyzz, when team membership was still in the single digits. During his Sophomore year the small team drafted its first legally binding Constitution, and Matt and Lyzz were voted as the first team Captains under a dual leadership system. Matt went on to be voted Most Improved and Most Dedicated his Junior and Senior years, respectively.
