June 3, 2010
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Junior Stephanie Gretsch (Downers Grove, Ill.) has garnered two honors by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association as she was named to the CRCA All-Central Region First Team in addition to being one of the organization’s 2010 Scholar Athletes. Gretsch’s teammate, senior Sarah Keithley (Austin, Texas) also was selected as a CRCA Scholar Athlete.
Gretsch’s selection as first-team all-Central Region honoree marks the 10th straight year that the Irish have had an individual garners first-team accolades. Gretsch helped lead Notre Dame to its seventh straight BIG EAST crown and was a mainstay rowing with the varsity eight boat for the first time in her career this season. A first-team all- BIG EAST honoree, she was a member of the varsity eight crew that captured the gold medal at the conference championship. Gretsch also has won gold medals at the BIG EAST Championships with the Irish varsity four (2009) and novice eight (2008) crews. At this year’s Central/South Region Championship, she led the Irish to a fourth-place finish in the Petite Final.
Gretsch was named a CRCA Scholar Athlete for the second time in her career. She owns a 3.609 overall grade point average as a biological sciences and history major.
Keithley’s selection as a CRCA Scholar Athlete marks the third time in her career that she has been named for the honor after earning accolades in both 2007 and 2008. She recently graduated from Notre Dame with a dual degree in both biological sciences and history as part of the University’s five-year program and earned a 3.739 grade-point average.
Keithley, a Dean’s list honoree in seven of 10 semesters, was the recipient of the 2010 Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award. In addition, she received the Riley Scholar Award that is presented to a fifth-year senior in a dual major degree. She also was awarded the Gertrude Austin Marti Award in Theology which is given to a graduating senior has given qualities of personal character and academic achievement in theological studies and recognizes the successful combination of extraordinary service to Church and community, along with academic excellence. Keithley also participated in the Notre Dame’s Rosenthal Leadership Institute and was a member of the Academic Honors Program for student-athletes.
After not rowing with the Irish during the 2008-09 campaign, Keithley served as the coxswain for Notre Dame’s varsity eight boat that won the gold medal at the BIG EAST Championship and earned a fourth-place finish in the Petite Final at the Central/South Region Chanmpionship.
Keithley was one of the Irish’s top coxswains throughout her career as she rowed with both the varsity four and second varsity eight crews. She won the gold medal with the varsity four crews in both 2008 and 2006.
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