April 26, 2004

The North Carolina rowing program handed out its team awards Saturday at the program's annual banquet.

For the varsity squad, senior Grace Wallenborn was honored with the Coach's Award, which goes to a team member who sets a high standard of athletic performance and consistency. Senior Rebecca Bennett was selected as Most Improved.

For the second year in a row, junior Jess Ziebell took the varsity's Fastest 2K Award, this year with a time of 7:00.0. The Carolina Spirit Award, as voted on by the team, went to senior Mary Miller, who also was named the team's Outstanding Varsity Performer in Strength and Conditioning for the second year in a row.

The varsity also recognized the recpient of one special honor, giving the Breaking It Down in the Weight Room Award to Katie Sorensen.

For the novice squad, Lauren Withycombe, the coxswain for the novice eight, received the Coach's Award. Beth Robinson was honored as Most Improved, and the Carolina Spirit Award went to Ashley Williamson. The Fastest 2K Award went to Cleo Washington with a time of 7:23.7. Mallory Williams was named the team's Outstanding Novice Performer in Strength and Conditioning.

The program also recognized recipients of conference and athletic department awards recently announced. Wallenborn was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference and was the Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete Award winner for the rowing team. Junior Kim Lyko was one of six UNC student-athletes recognized with the ACC Top Six for Service Award for her community service contributions. Senior Katie Sorensen received the John Lotz Award, which recognizes a UNC student-athlete who has demonstrated a passion to succeed under adverse circumstances, overcoming difficulties while maintaining a positive attitude.

The team's next competition is May 7-8 at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia.

The UNC coaches' comments on this year's award winners:

Varsity squad coach Sarah Haney

Coach's Award: Grace Wallenborn
"Grace deserves this award.  She is always very prepared for practice and performs well every day. She has set a high standard of excellence for this team, and her teammates respect her work ethic."
Most Improved: Rebecca Bennett
"Becca had a tough year this year.  She earned this award because she found the strength to come back from a loss of motivation and lead her team.  There was a time this year when she was not sure if she could make it through the year; now she is the stroke of the varsity eight. We commend her for her ability to come through a difficult time as a stronger rower."
Fastest 2K: Jess Ziebell
"Without a doubt, Jess has earned the fastest 2K award. She is on the top of the team on every erg workout we do.  When Jess sets a goal for herself on the erg, you can bet she will reach it.  Her speed on the erg has shown people that it is possible to go that fast, if you want it."
Outstanding Performer in Strength and Conditioning: Mary Miller
Also the winner of the Carolina Spirit Award, as selected by the team
Mary pushes people every day that we are in the weight room, and her attitude and enthusiasm have made this team stronger.  Not only is Mary the top lifter on the team, she is currently ranked fourth among all the female athletes at UNC."
Breaking It Down in the Weight Room Award: Katie Sorensen "Due to Katie's presence in the weight room, Greg Gatz, our strength and conditioning coach, developed an award. Every day when we are in the erg room, Katie closes practice by getting everybody together and cheering "Tar Heels" loudly - she breaks it down.  It sends everyone out on a very positive note and elevates the level of enthusiasm."

Novice squad coach Laura Fogt:

Coach's Award: Lauren Withycombe
"Lauren has done an excellent job as the coxswain for the novice eight.  She has set high expectations for the rowers that fill that boat and they have benefited greatly because of her attention to detail.  Lauren has made great efforts to improve herself, which have undoubtedly been a huge contribution to the succes that the novice eight has experienced.  She has  a great attitude and the determination to win."
Most Improved: Beth Robinson
"Beth has made considerable improvement in this last semester in her attitude, competitivness, and overall speed.  She has done an excellent job as the stroke of the novice/varsity four and I look forward to seeing even more speed from her."
Carolina Spirit Award (selected by the team): Ashley Williamson
"Ashley, who is also a team captain, has been an integral part of this team from day one.  She is looked up to and respected highly by her teammates because of the leadership she provides, the positive attitude she possesses, her aggressive fight and the focus and intensity she brings to her boat.  Ashley, without a doubt, bleeds Carolina Blue and is a strong athlete."
Fastest 2K: Cleo Washington
"Cleo has been our top erg scorer all year and her power and strenght is much respected by her teammates. She brings a lot of speed to the seat that she fills in the novice eight."
Outstanding Performer in Strength and Conditioning:  Mallory Williams
"Mallory is a strong athlete, both on the water and in the weightroom.  She constantly is working hard to improve herself and bring more speed to the boat she is in."