April 26, 2010
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Six Notre Dame rowers have been named to the inaugural BIG EAST All-Conference teams. The Irish placed three rowers apiece on the first and second teams, all of which came from the team’s varsity eight boat. The six selections led the way amongst all BIG EAST schools.
Seniors Brittney Kelly (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) and Casey Robinson (Alexandria, Va./American Cooperative School), along with junior Stephanie Gretsch (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) were selected to the All-BIG EAST first team. The second-team selections were comprised of senior Sarah Keithley (Austin, Texas/The Lawrenceville School), junior Katherine Linnemanstons (Mequon, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) and freshman Stephanie O’Neill (Vienna, Va./Bishop O’Connell).
The six student-athletes were honored on the heels of capturing the gold medal in the Grand Final of the 2010 BIG EAST Championship, holding off Louisville for the win. O’Neill joins Louisville rower Erin Bennett as one of only two freshmen to be named to either of the all-conference teams.
Notre Dame will next return to action on Sat.-Sun, May 15-16 at the South/Central Regatta in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Last season the team finished eighth overall and sixth in the central region at the event.
BIG EAST All-Conference TeamsFirst TeamHelen Becz - Rutgers - Jr.Kimberly Benda - West Virginia - Sr.Erin Bennett - Louisville - Fr.Laura Donaldson - Georgetown - Sr.Megan Ginivan - Georgetown - Sr.Stephanie Gretsch - Notre Dame - Jr.Brittney Kelly - Notre Dame - Sr.Kellie Kruppenbacher - Villanova - So.Natalie Mastracci - Syracuse - Sr.Casey Robinson - Notre Dame - Sr.Gretchen Stern - Connecticut - Jr.
Second TeamSydney Axson - Syracuse - Sr.Ashley Edwardson - Louisville - Sr.Allison Erkhe - Syracuse - Jr.Sarah Keithley - Notre Dame - Sr.Erin Landy - Georgetown - So.Katherine Linnemanstons - Notre Dame - Jr.Stephanie O'Neill - Notre Dame - Fr.Caroline Rettig - West Virginia - Sr.Samantha Seldon - Louisville - Sr.Alex Vezina - Georgetown - Sr.Sarah Willhoft - Connecticut - Sr.
–ND–