BOSTON – Stanford head coach Kate Bertko and the women's lightweight rowing program were honored as the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Coach and Crew of the Year, the association announced.
Bertko has won the award all three years she has served as the head coach of the Cardinal. Stanford has captured the IRA team championship each of the last five years taking home the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders Trophy nine of the past 10 seasons overall.
The lightweight eight featuring coxswain Allison Tielking, Martha Yates (8), Samantha Dore (7), Michele Holtkamp (6), Johanna Francis (5), Ally Hinson (4), Brigitte Schmittlein (3), Claire Smythe (2) and Emily Molins (bow) won its unprecedented fifth consecutive IRA title with a time of 6:32.825 in the Grand Final at the national championship regatta June 2 at Lake Natoma. Stanford's lightweight four also took home the individual title at this year's championship regatta, helping secure the team IRA title.
In addition, the IRA announced its All-Academic team, which included Allison Tielking, Ally Hinson , Brigitte Schmittlein, Diba Massihpour, Hillary Umphrey, Isabella Duan, Michele Holtkamp, Samantha Dore, Tiffany Ong and Serena Harber.
