WOMEN'S ROWING

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BUFFALO, NY ­ The University at Buffalo women's rowing team presented its team awards for the 2004-05 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at the Millennium Hotel on May 3.

Head coach Rudy Wieler made the following presentations: Nicole Cyr (Groton, NY/Dryden) earned the Top Newcomer Award; Jacquie Zehler (Alden, NY/Attica) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Sher Briggs (St. Catharines, Ontario/West Park SS) received the Coaches' Award; and Kasey Hansen (Honeoye Falls, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima) was named Most Outstanding.

Nicole Cyr

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student-athlete who distinguishes herself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Cyr was part of UB's novice eight entries throughout the season. She was part of the crew that finished first in UB's tri-meet against Rhode Island and MIT on April 3. Cyr also rowed from the fifth seat in UB's winning novice eight entry in its home meet against Colgate and Bucknell on April 9 and placed third among 28 squads in the Knecht Cup on April 17.

Jacquie Zehler

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student-athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in her performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Zehler saw action as part of the varsity eight boat at the Head of the Fish Regatta in the fall as the Bulls placed fifth among 28 entries in the race. In the spring, she rowed from the bow seat of UB's second varsity eight crew and from the second seat helped the Bulls' lightweight eight team to a victory over Bucknell on April 9.

Sher Briggs

The Coaches' Award is selected by the head coach and is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. Briggs moved into the coxswain position for the varsity boats in her first season at UB. As a freshman, she guided UB's signature entry, the varsity eight, at each meet. Under her leadership, the Bulls won the varsity eight race in its home meet against Bucknell and Colgate. She also guided the team to an 11th-place finish of 27 teams at the Knecht Cup as all five of UB's entries reached the championship or consolation finals

Kasey Hansen

The Most Outstanding Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through her skills and leadership. Hansen, a member of UB's varsity crews, helped the Bulls to their first medal at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta as the collegiate eight crew finished fourth in a 50-entry field. Medals are awarded to teams that finish in the top 10 percent of the field at the meet. Hansen was also part of UB's varsity eight team, rowing from the stroke seat early in the spring before moving to the sixth seat later in the year.

The Bulls complete their season this weekend with competition at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia, one of the most-famous events in collegiate rowing.