NSU Sharks News

Five Sharks named to the All-SSC Team, while three selected to the All-Freshman/Novice Team

Orlando, Fla. (May 20, 2009) - Nova Southeastern University's rowing team had eight rowers receive All-Sunshine State Conference honors, it was announced on Wednesday by the conference office. The Sharks placed five on the All-SSC Team, while three were named to the All-Freshman/Novice Team. Voting for the All-Conference selections was done by the SSC's head coaches and sports information directors.

Cindy Fong (Sr., Miami, Fla.), Rachel Garbaj (Sr., Valrico, Fla.), Megankate McDonald (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), Lauren McElhenny (Sr., Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) and coxswain Marissa Stickles (So., Jacksonville, Fla.) were all selected to the All-Sunshine State Conference Team. Fong, Garbarj, McDonald and Stickles were all members of the SSC Champion Varsity 8 boat. Meanwhile, McElhenny was part of the SSC Champion Varsity 4 boat.

Also selected to the All-SSC Team were Barry's Elise Carlson and Renee Forcier; Florida Tech's Jennifer Johnson and Rebecca Werle, and Rollins' Kimberly Dirschka, and Michelle Sosa.

Coxswain Heather Clayton (Fr., Mullica Township, N.J.), Claire Kurlychek (Fr., Land O'Lakes, Fla.) and Jessica Sutter (Fr., Miami Beach, Fla.) were among the six rowers selected to the All-Freshman/Novice Team. Clayton, Kurlychek and Sutter were also part of the SSC Champion Varsity 4 boat.

Also named to the All-Freshman/Novice Team were Guinevere Shaw from Florida Tech and Sosa and Justine Rooney from Rollins.

Sosa was also selected as Rower of the Year. Meanwhile, Florida Tech's Adam Thorstad was named Coach of the Year. Florida Tech's Varsity 8 also collected Boat of the Year honors.

NSU returns to the water for the 2009 NCAA Division II Rowing Championships in Cherry Hill, N.J., May 29-31. The Sharks were among the four institutions that received a full-team bid. Competition at the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championships will begin on Friday, May 29 with Varsity 8 heats at 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The top boat from each heat will automatically advance to the Grand Finals on Sunday, May 31 at 9:30 a.m. Meanwhile, the other two boats from each heat will compete in the Repechage on Saturday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. for a berth to the Grand Finals. Varsity 4 competition will take place on Friday, May 29 at 11:30 a.m., with the winner of the heat automatically advancing to the Grand Finals. The remaining three boats will race on Saturday, May 30 in the Repechage at 10:45 a.m., with the top two boats going on to the Grand Finals.

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