Following a vote by the league's head coaches, the Liberty League has announced its major award recipients for Women's Rowing for the 2023-24 season.
CREW OF THE YEAR: Varsity Eight, Ithaca College
The Ithaca College Varsity Eight was recognized as the 2023-24 Liberty League Women’s Rowing Crew of the Year. The Bombers’ V8+ comprised of Caroline Hoskins, Taylor Volmritch, Lily Babcock, Laura Trainor, Maggie Farber, Erin Trojan, Kai Lincke, Samantha Gallagher, and Emma Hammel has had a strong 2023-24 campaign. They captured their sixth consecutive Liberty League Women’s Rowing crown as they bested the competition at the 2024 conference championship’s V8+ grand final, winning by nearly 10 seconds with a time of 7:02. By virtue of winning the V8+ and the 2024 league title, the Bombers earned a sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA Championship. This year’s national championship will be held May 31 and June 1 at East Fork/Harsha Lake in Bethel, Ohio. Ithaca was the runner-up at this year’s New York State Championship, crossing the finish line in 7:57.190 to between a pair of Division I crews (Marist; 7:52.005, and Colgate; 7:59.430). At this year’s National Invitational Rowing Championship (NIRC), the Bombers earned a spot in the petit final after finishing third in their heat (7:14.572). They trimmed nearly 10 seconds off their heat time to finish second behind Smith (7:03.402), crossing the finish line in 7:05.230. They were also second at the 2024 Knecht Cup (6:54.18) in April among four Division I programs.
NOVICE CREW OF THE YEAR: Novice Eight, Ithaca College
The Ithaca College Novice Eight boat was named the Liberty League Women’s Rowing Novice Crew of the Year. At this year’s Liberty League Championship, Ithaca’s N8+ showed their power as they rowed to a 37 second victory in the two-boat final with a time of 7:41.002. They were also the top novice boat at the New York State Championships, defeating Army (7:55.332) by two seconds at 7:53.023. Ithaca also recorded a runner-up showing at the NIRC, posting a time of 7:49.208 among the four boats. The Bombers N8+ lineup included Haley Beckford, Juniper Gattone, Joanna Morales, Carys Owen, Winifred Kanayo-Ezenwata, Emily Murphy, Emmi Chen, Sarah Chraibi and Payton Fisch
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Ithaca College – Becky Robinson, Head Coach; Assistant Coaches Beth Greene and Devi de Oliveira
Ithaca College head coach Becky Robinson along with assistant coaches Beth Greene and Devi de Oliveira were selected as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. At the 2024 Liberty League Championship, the Bombers swept all four events they raced in—Varsity Eight (7:02.002), Second Varsity Eight (7:27.00), Varsity Four (8:21.000), and Novice Eight (7:41.002). At the New York State Championships, the Bombers posted victories in six of the eight events they entered, highlighted by wins in the Double (9:50.076) and Novice Eight (7:53.023). They also finished second in the Varsity Eight with a time of 7:57.190 in the grand final. Ithaca also competed at the NIRC Championship this spring, where the V8+ earned a spot in the petit final and placed second with a time of 7:05.230. The N8+ was also runner-up at 7:49.208. The Bombers’ Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Eight are now headed to their sixth straight NCAA Championship on May 31 and June 1 in Bethel, Ohio at East Fork/Harsha Lake.
All-Liberty League honorees were selected by their coach with the number of honorees from each school based on Varsity 8+ place finish at this year's championship in May.