CRCA Regional Teams on row2k.com

2009 CRCA Scholar Athletes list

PHILADELPHIA - The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) has announced the 2009 Division I all-region award winners, and three Penn women are on the list for the Mid-Atlantic region. These awards recognize the outstanding performances of rowers and coxswains from each of the five regions, organized into first- and second-team selections.

Sophomore Liz Donald and senior captain Katie Purdy were first-team selections, while sophomore Rebecca Donald was a second-team selection. This marked the second year in a row that Rebecca was honored by the CRCA, while it marked the first honor for both Liz -- Rebecca’s twin sister -- and Katie. All three women were members of Penn’s varsity eight this spring, helping the boat to a win in the petite final at the EAWRC Sprints on May 17.

Nominated student-athletes are evaluated on the strength of their team's regional finish, coaches' recommendations and 2,000-meter erg score. Nominees must be eligible student-athletes who have competed in their teams' varsity boat in 75 percent of races this season.

These athletes will be eligible for All-America awards selection following the NCAA Rowing Championships. The NCAA regatta will be held May 29-31 on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J.

In addition, Liz Donald was honored as a CRCA National Scholar Athlete. To earn that distinction, a student-athlete must hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and have rowed in 75 percent of her team's competitions for the past year. It marked the 15th time a Penn athlete has received the recognition since 1999.