Following a vote by the league's head coaches, the Liberty League announced its major awards in Women's Rowing for the 2021-22 season.
CREW OF THE YEAR: Ithaca Varsity Eight
The Ithaca College Varsity Eight was selected the 2021-22 Liberty League Women's Rowing Crew of the Year. The Bombers' varsity eight is comprised of Michele Hyland, Allison Arndt, Dania Bogdanovic, Laura Trainor, Taylor Volmrich, Izzy Ozkurt, Madelyn Faber, Devi de Oliveria and Eliza Worth. They won gold in both the Liberty League Championship and National Invitational Rowing Championship (NIRC) this spring. At the conference championship, the Bombers opened the regatta with a victory in their heat, finishing first in 7:12.28. In the grand final, against five league opponents, the Bombers also won with a time of 7:00.03 to earn the team's fourth straight trip to the NCAA Championship.
At the NIRC, the Bombers were second in their heat (6:50.43) before edging out Wellesley by .04 seconds in the 1V grand final with a time of 6:46.62 for the win. It is only the second victory at the NIRC in Ithaca women's rowing program history. Heading into next week's NCAA Championship, they are ranked No. 1 in the latest College Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA).
NOVICE CREW OF THE YEAR: Rochester Novice Eight
For the second straight year, the University of Rochester Novice Eight garnered Women's Rowing Novice Crew of the Year accolades. The Yellowjackets placed fifth and were the top Liberty League novice boat at the NIRC; finishing with a time of 7:43.169. This spring, the novice crew also placed fourth at the New York State Championships, crossing the finish line in 8:13.715. In the fall, the Yellowjackets were fifth of 17 and the top Division III boat at the Head of the Schuylkill (15:13.498) and they opened season with gold in the Novice Eight race at the Head of the Genesee. Grace Snyder, Alex Diamantis, Rachel Markowitz, Evie Feld, Zaira Reyes, Nina Greif, Caroline Murnane, Sarah Kelley and Elizabeth Lotts make up Rochester's Novice Eight.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Ithaca College – Head Coach Becky Robinson; Assistant Coaches Beth Greene & Mikayla Henry
Ithaca College head coach Becky Robinson and her assistant coaches Beth Greene and Mikayla Henry were named the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. Robinson and her staff directed the Bombers to three race wins at the Liberty League Championship, including the Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight and Varsity Four. With a win in the Varsity Eight, the Bombers earned their fourth consecutive Liberty League title and with the second varsity eight competing at the conference championship, they also earned their fourth straight trip to the NCAA Championship with the league's automatic qualifier, which takes places next week, May 27-28 in Sarasota, Florida. The Bombers are ranked No. 1 in the latest CRCA poll heading into NCAAs.
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM:
Allison Arndt, Gr., Ithaca
Freya Birkas-Dent, Sr., William Smith
Dania Bogdanovic, Sr., Ithaca
Margaret Brown, Jr., Skidmore
Margaret Carey, Jr., RIT
Riesa Cassano, Gr., Rochester
Hope Havenhill, Sr., Rochester
Michele Hyland, Gr., Ithaca (coxswain)
Grace Parini, Jr., Union
Melina Slinn, Sr., St. Lawrence
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE SECOND TEAM:
Rachel Anthony, Sr., Rochester
Sara Beckwith, Fr., Union
Sophie Belisle Haley, Jr., St. Lawrence
Elisa Faiola, So., William Smith
Nicole McElhoe, Sr., Skidmore
Caroline Murphy, So., Rochester (coxswain)
Kennedy Northrup, St. John Fisher
Isabelle Ozkurt, Sr., Ithaca
Alana Socha, Fr., RIT
Taylor Volmrich, Jr., Ithaca