June 10, 2014
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame junior Erin Boxberger and senior Molly Bruggeman each received Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Pocock All-America honors for the 2014 season, the CRCA announced earlier this week. The Irish duo were both repeat All-America selections, having been tabbed for the accolade in 2013.
CRCA All-America candidates must meet all eligibility requirements as defined by her institution, row in at least 75 percent of the spring season’s races in a varsity boat, and the head coach of a given institution must be a member in good standing with the CRCA.
A total of 44 rowers were named to the two CRCA Pocock All-America teams. Boxberger, one of 22 first team selections, and Bruggeman, a second team choice, were joined by first team member Brandy Herald of Virginia, and second team selections Constanze Duell (Virginia), Georgia Hamilton (Syracuse) and Milena Heuer (Clemson) as Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) representatives.
Boxberger was tabbed as an All-American for the second time in her Notre Dame career after rowing with the top Irish eight boat in 2014. The Overland Park, Kan. native aided Notre Dame to a runner-up result while securing all-ACC first team honors in the team’s first ACC Championship appearance on Lake Hartwell in Clemson, S.C. in May. The Irish eight followed with a ninth place finish out of 22 boats at the NCAA Championship in Indianapolis, helping the team tie its best combined placement (ninth place) at the NCAA regatta in program history.
The Notre Dame first varsity eight also posted the fastest time in the ACC during the season, logging a 6:17.90 winning effort over host Indiana at the Dale England Cup in April. A three-race sweep by the Irish eight led the squad to its second straight Dale England Cup team victory.
Bruggeman, a first team all-ACC choice, became the second student-athlete in program history to secure three or more All-America citations during her career, surpassed only by four-time first team honoree and United States National Team member Amanda Polk. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Bruggeman previously claimed first team All-America honors as a sophomore in 2012 after helping lead Notre Dame to its first NCAA Championship appearance since 2007, and 2013 when the Irish won their 10th consecutive, and final, BIG EAST Conference Championship.
Boxberger and Bruggeman copped the 13th and 14th Notre Dame All-America scrolls in the past 12 seasons, joining Polk (2005-08 first team), Allison Marsh (2007 second team), Sarah Palandech (2006 second team), Julie Sobolewski (2006 second team), Natalie Ladine (2004 first team) and Ashlee Warren (2002 second team).
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