Five Tiger Rowers Named to the CRCA All-South Region Team

June 4, 2008

Clemson, SC – The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) has released its list of All-Region teams, and five Tigers have landed spots on the All-South team. The awards recognize the outstanding performances of rowers from each of the five Division One regions, organized into first and second-team selections. Suzanne Van Fleet were named to the first-team, while Megan Bendik, Liz Robb, and Elyse Roenick (coxswain) were second-team selections. The five athletes honored by the CRCA marks the most student-athletes that have been named to the All-Region team in the history of the program. Previously, no more than four athletes had garnered regional honors in a season.

Senior Suzanne Van Fleet and junior Jessica Leidecker were each named first-team All-South Region. The duo were also named to the All-ACC team this season. Leidecker spent the majority of the season at stroke for the Tigers, while Van Fleet was the seven seat for most of the spring. By virtue of their All-Region selection, they are both eligible to receive All-American recognition.

In addition to being the first Clemson rower to be named ACC Freshman of the Year, Liz Robb is the first Tiger freshman to garner All-Region honors as well. She spent the entire spring season with the Varsity 8+ crew, which is also quite an accomplishment for a freshman.

Senior Megan Bendik, a junior, spent the majority of the season in the five seat for the Tigers.

All of the honorees spent the spring season rowing with the Varsity 8+. The crew had a very successful season, most notably earning a bid to compete in the NCAA Rowing Championships for the first time in school history. They were ranked as high as #12 in the nation during the season, which ties the school record for highest ranking. The crew also garnered ACC Crew of the Week honors early in the season after wins against Boston College and at the Clemson Challenge.