Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Rowers Receive Post-Season Honors
6/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
June 3, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Five Michigan State rowers collected post-season honors from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA)for their success both in the water and in the classroom.
Five athletes were named to the All-Central Region Teams. Seniors Laura Cowal, Kellie LaPointe, Stephanie Bochenek and junior coxswain Amanda McGeachie were named to the All-Central Region First Team and senior Alexandra Maibusch was honored as an All Central Region Second Team member.
All five rowers were part of the Spartan varsity eight boat this season which most recently advanced to the Grand Finals at the NCAA regatta and rowed to a sixth-place finish with a time of 6:36.12. The decorated boat also captured an unprescedented fourth consecutive gold medal at the 2011 Big Ten Championships. It was the third consecutive medal for LaPointe in the V8 and the fourth for Cowal. Along with being named the Big Ten Rower of the Year, Cowal was named to the All-Big Ten First Team alongside Bochenek and LaPointe. McGeachie and Maibusch were recognized as members of the All-Big Ten Second Team.
The All-Region accolades are given to the outstanding performances of student-athletes from five different regions and are separated into first and second-team selections. Nominees are evaluated on their team's regional finish, coaches' recommendations, and 2,000-meter erg score. The nominated student-athletes must have competed in their team's varsity boat in 75% of the races this season. This recognition qualifies the rowers to be selected for All-America awards.
Four student-athletes were also honored for their excellence inside the classroom. Senior Alyse Egner, juniors Michelle Sosa and Brie Walkowiak and sophomore Shelby Motoligin were the Spartans recognized as 2011 Scholar Athletes by the CRCA. Student-athletes that receive this laurel must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, have rowed in 75% or more of varsity races this season and are at least a sophomore.
All Central Region First Team
Laura Cowal, Michigan State
Kellie LaPointe, Michigan State
Stephanie Bochenek, Michigan State
Ulrike Denker, Ohio State
Claudia Schiwy, Ohio State
Felice Mueller, Michigan
Natalie Eisermann, Michigan
Carol Ann Michel, Notre Dame
Vanessa Kleiss, Wisconsin
Asja Zero, Indiana
Amanda McGeachie, Michigan State, coxswain
All Central Region Second Team
Alex Maibusch, Michigan State
Claire-Louise Bode, Ohio State
Caro Helmholz, Ohio State
Julia Darnton, Michigan
Stephanie Gretsch, Notre Dame
Rachel Buchholtz, Wisconsin
Traci Smiley, Kansas State
Jennifer Entin, Michigan, coxswain
