Jill Costello, a California coxswain on the Golden Bear women’s crew, passed away on Thursday, ending her year-long battle against lung cancer. Last month, Costello was named the Pac-10 Athlete of the Year and she graduated with a degree in political economy after making the Pac-10 All-Academic second team.

“Jill was a wonderful person in every way, and we were blessed to have had her in our lives,” head coach Dave O’Neill said. “Back when Jill was diagnosed, she wrote, ‘Life is all about how we handle the challenges we are given.’ Jill faced this challenge with absolute courage, grace and dignity, and was an inspiration for so many people, especially our team. As much as everyone tried to lend a hand, Jill was the one inspiring all of us. The core of `Team Jill’ was her parents, Mary and Jim, and aunt, Kathy. Our hearts go out to them.”