Rowers Earn CRCA Awards - Oregon State University Athletics

CORVALLIS – Eight Oregon State women’s rowing team members were honored when the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) announced several national and regional awards Monday.

Junior (Myrtle Point, Ore./Myrtle Point HS) was named to the CRCA West Region first team while senior (Neu-Ulm, Germany/St. Hildegard Gymnasium) was selected as a second team member. The honor is the first for Towne, who rowed in the six-seat of OSU’s Varsity 8+, while Leibinger, who rowed in the stroke seat, was a first team selection in 2006.

Towne was also among six OSU rowers to earn the title of CRCA National Scholar-Athlete. Joining Towne as scholar-athletes are senior (Alsea, Ore./Alsea HS), juniors (Portland, Ore./Central Catholic HS), (Beaverton, Ore./Jesuit HS) and (Nelson, New Zealand/Nelson College for Girls) and sophomore (Eugene, Ore./Churchill HS).

The award recognizes student-athletes with a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher that competed in at least 75 percent of her team’s 2006 spring races. Also, the student-athletes selected must be upperclassmen (2nd, 3rd, or 4th year) in terms of eligibility.

The CRCA also honored with the West Region’s Assistant Coach of the Year award. Scaglione’s award recognizes the coach that fits the following criteria: leads their team to outstanding success during the season, demonstrates great team improvement from the prior season, pushes the team to fulfill its potential, and demonstrates a high level of professionalism and integrity as a coach.