May 11, 2007

Abbie DiPalma

Kirsten Cooper

GENEVA, N.Y.—The entire William Smith College varsity crew team and first-year novices Abbie DiPalma (Portsmouth Abbey School/Middleton, R.I.) and Kirsten Cooper (Atholton/Columbia, Md.) were honored at the Annual William Smith Athletics Awards Banquet on May 1.

Head Coach Sandra Chu awarded the Heron varsity team with the S. Ford Weiskittel Most Valuable Oarswoman Award. The team and varsity eight are currently ranked first in New York State in the NCAA Championship Committee Regional rankings, while the varsity eight is also ranked second in the nation by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) poll.

The varsity team is responsible for William Smith’s success this year. The Herons won the Liberty League Championship, placed second at the New York State Championship and won eight league Boat of the Week Awards. The varsity eight has recorded seven first-place finishes this season, while the second varsity eight has three top finishes this year.

DiPalma and Cooper shared the Crew Coach’s Award. The two have led the novice eight to five first-place finishes this season, and to a sixth-place finish at the NYS Championships. The N8+ won the Liberty League Boat of the Week award twice. DiPalma is one of 24 first-years from across the country to be selected to attend the US National Team’s Freshman Camp.

Additionally, the Heron novice team won the Dean’s Award, which goes to the team attaining the highest grade point average in the fall semester. The novice rowers posted a 3.56 combined GPA.

The Herons will continue their season on May 12-13 when they travel to Whitney Point, for the ECAC Championships. Racing is set to begin at noon on Saturday.

Back to William Smith Crew