WOMEN'S ROWING

Roster  |  Coaches  |  Schedule / Results  |  News

BUFFALO, NY ­ The University at Buffalo crew squad presented its team awards for the 2001-02 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at Samuel's Grande Manor.

Sarah Vieira

Head coach Meg Barnes made the following presentations: Kali Spoto (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Sutherland) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Michelle Schwach (Buffalo, NY/Nardin Academy) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Karey Smollar (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) received the Coach's Award; and Sarah Vieira (Pompton Lakes, NJ/DePaul Diocesan) was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

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. Spoto, a member of UB's varsity eight boat as a freshman, during the spring, occupied the important stroke seat, which sets the rhythm for the boat during the race. She was the stroker on UB's gold medal winning team at the SUNY Championships. She also stroked on the bronze medal winning squad in the New York State Championships which finished less than two seconds out of first place.

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. Schwach was a member of UB's novice teams in her freshman season. She was in the fifth seat of UB's novice eight boat that took the gold medal at the SUNY Championships on April 20 and the silver medal at the New York State Championships on May 5. Schwach, who had no prior rowing experience before arriving at UB, was also a member of the Bulls' winning novice four boat at November's Frostbite Regatta in Philadelphia.

Karey Smollar

The Coach's 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. Smollar spent the season as part of the varsity four team. During the fall season, the senior was part of the silver medal-winning lightweight four squad at Pittsburgh's Head of the Ohio Regatta. Selected a UB's Most Improved Rower in 2001, Smollar occupied the second seat on the team's varsity four boat that reached the finals of the New York State Championships and was on the bronze medal team at the SUNY Championships.

The Most Valuable 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. Vieira, a team co-captain in 2001-02, was also part of the Bulls' bronze medal-winning varsity eight team at the New York State Championships. She occupied the second seat during the season and was responsible for much of the balance and steering required for the large shells. Both Vieira and Spoto were part of the gold medal-winning varsity eight team at the SUNY Championships.

The Bulls won the Chancellor's Cup for the second consecutive season by winning the SUNY Championships on April 20. The varsity eight and novice eight and four teams won gold medals at the meet while the varsity four team earned a bronze medal at the event.