May22, 2007

Nicole Balsamo

Kenzie Cannon

Hannah Gallup

GENEVA, N.Y.—Three members of the William Smith College crew team were named to the 2007 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Pocock All-America teams. Senior oarswoman Nicole Balsamo (Newton Country Day/Centerville, Mass.) garnered first team accolades, while junior oarswoman Hannah Gallup (Holy Names/Alameda, Calif.) and sophomore coxswain Kenzie Cannon (Berkshire/Canaan, Conn.) earned a spot on the second team.

The trio helped William Smith capture its third consecutive Liberty League Championship, the gold medal in the varsity eight at the New York State Championships, and the program’s sixth NCAA Championships bid. The Heron varsity eight is ranked third in the nation according to the CRCA Coaches Poll.

A four-year starter on the varsity, Balsamo has been a member of each of William Smith’s three Liberty League Boat of the Year winning varsity eights (the 2007 award will be announced later this month). A standout in the classroom as well, she is a three-time Liberty League All-Academic selection. The co-captain has been an inspiration to her teammates this season, battling through rib and shoulder injuries that would have sidelined a less determined rower.

A three-year starter on the varsity, Gallup is the stroke for the Heron varsity eight this season. She has been a part of two Liberty League Boats of the Year. Like Balsamo, Gallup is a member of the William Smith Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Just the second coxswain in William Smith history to earn All-American honors, Cannon has piloted the Heron varsity eight since her arrival on campus. Her teammates credit her calm and composure to William Smith’s success in tight races this season. The Herons are 6-1 against Division III opponents.

Rowing All-Americans are selected based on several criteria, including 2,000-meter erg score, coach’s comments, the team’s record and strength of schedule, and the team’s end of season regatta results.

Balsamo, Gallup, and Cannon raise the number of All-American awards won Herons to 14. Coxswain Derith Hart ’01 was the first in 2000.

William Smith will row for the NCAA Division III National Championships on May 25-26 in Oakridge, Tenn. Fans can watch the championships online at http://all-access.cstv.com/cstv/player/player.html?code=ncaa.

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