High School: A 2009 graduate from Saratoga High School in Saratoga Springs, New York ... Earned First Team All-State awards from 2007-2009 ... Was voted team captain as a senior in 2009 ... Recipient of the Founders Award ... Placed first in the 2007 Scholastic Nationals, and also finished third in the 2006 contest ... Additionally, placed first in the 2006 Canadian Nationals.

Personal: Born September 4, 1990, in Santa Rosa, Calif. ... Parents are Brian and Diane Backens ... Has two sisters, Rae (18) and Clare (14) ... Father, Brian, played basketball for UCSD ... Majors are biochemistry and cell biology ... Favorite pro sports teams are the San Francisco Giants, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers.