Tara Staley Class: Senior Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev. High School: Sierra Vista Event: Mid. Freestyle, Fly Experience: 2V

Colorado State 2006-07: Consoled in the 100 Fly at the MWC Championships and was a member of two of the Rams' scoring relays...Was voted `Most Inspirational' swimmer at the Denver dual meet and `Most Valuable' swimmer at the UNC dual meet.

Colorado State 2005-06: Swam a lifetime-best time in the 500 Free to console at the MWC Championships, and was a member of four of the Rams' scoring relays...Was voted `Most Inspirational' swimmer at both the Early Bird Invite and UNC dual meet, and `Most Valuable' swimmer at the SDSU/AFA double dual meet...Achieved academic all-conference honors with a 3.0 GPA in speech communications.

Colorado State 2004-05: Finaled in the 100 Fly with a lifetime-best time at the MWC Championships, and was a member of two of CSU's scoring relays...Voted `Most Valuable' swimmer for her efforts at the Early Bird Invite.

Sierra Vista HS: Earned four varsity letters in swimming...two-time team MVP in 2000-2001, 2003-2004...Southern Nevada Swim Coach Association MVP 2002-2003...Swimmer of the Year, Sunset Division, 2001-2002...All-American Swimmer in 100 fly, 2003-2004...holds four school records, 100 free, 200 free, 100 fly, 200 IM...team captain 2003-2004...graduated with Honors.

Personal: Born March 21, 1986...Daughter of Richard and Rhonda Staley...Has one older brother, Troy...Speech communication major...Appointed 2007-08 President of CSU's Student Athletic Advisory Committee...Chosen to represent CSU athletics at the annual NCAA Leadership Conference in the summer of 2007...Full name is Tara Lynn Staley.

John Mattos says: Leaders are born, not made. Tara will do all she can to lead this team to victory. Good luck, captain.