April 29, 2009
PHOTO GALLERY
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina rowing team handed out season awards at its annual banquet Friday, with the members of the varsity eight honored as the squad's MVP's. Included in that boat were senior coxswain Shannon Wilson, sophomore Kelsey Grich, senior Kasey Munson, junior Megan McMullin, senior Eugenia Delbono, senior Ruby Woodside, senior Whitney Hileman, junior Andi Drabot and senior Katie Wood.
Two members of that group received additional honors. McMullin, from Burke, Va., was recognized for the team's Fastest 2K of the year. Delbono, from Winston-Salem, N.C., received the Spirit Award, which is voted on by the squad and goes to the person who best exemplifies what it means to be a Carolina rower, working hard on the water and in the classroom, maintaining a positive attitude and acting as a team player.
Caroline Rekuc, a sophomore from Raleigh, received the Most Improved award, which goes to the team member who demonstrated the most significant improvement over the course of the year.
Lindsay Paterniti, a sophomore from Erie, Pa., received the Coach's Award as the squad member who displays a solid work ethic and a positive attitude.
Similar honors were announced for the novice squad.
Chelsea Zurl, a freshman from Wake Forest, N.C., was honored for the the Fastest 2K.
Alya Elsayed-Ali, a freshman from Virginia Beach, Va., was recognized as the squad's Most Improved.
Caroline La Roche, a freshman from Farmville, Va., received the Coach's Award.
Emma Shaw, a freshman from Chapel Hill, was the recipient of the Spirit Award.
The program also recognized this year's varsity team captains, Megan McMullin and Katie Wood, as well as the squad's eight seniors: Delbono, Carly Dressler, Hileman, Munson, Chandler Sours, Wilson, Wood and Woodside.
Carolina finishes out the season with one final competition, racing at the Dad Vail Regatta May 8-9 in Philadelphia.
