Johnson Receives Third U-M Athlete of the Year Award

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The second-ranked University of Michigan rowing team handed out its annual season awards yesterday (Sunday, April 29) at the 2001 Rowing Banquet.

Johnson

For the third consecutive season, senior Kate Johnson (Portland, Ore./Jesuit HS) was named the team's Athlete of the Year. Johnson led the Wolverines' first varsity eight to five consecutive victories before suffering an injury which kept her out of the first varsity eight lineup for the first time in her career. She is Michigan's most decorated rower, with accomplishments which include two selections to the Collegiate Rowing Coaches' Association All-America first team, two selections to the CRCA All-Central Region first team, the 2000 Big Ten Women's Rowing Athlete of the Year, the 1999 and 2000 U-M Athlete of the Year and the 1998 U-M Freshman of the Year.

Senior Alison Hickey (Scituate, Mass./Noble and Greenough) was selected by her teammates as the Maize and Blue Award recipient. Hickey joins Johnson as the only two Michigan rowers to compete in the first varsity eight all four years of their collegiate career, including moving into the stroke seat at the Big Ten Championships to fill in for the injured Johnson. Hickey's involvement off the water adds to her resume, as she has volunteered with several causes, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Toys for Tots and the Student Athlete Advisory Council. Following the season, she will be leaving for a two and a half years in Africa working for the Peace Corps.

The Academic Achievement award was presented to sophomore Erin Kopicki (Dearborn, Mich./Divine Child HS). The award recognizes the rower on the team with the highest cumulative grade point average at the end of the fall semester. Kopicki has twice earned the U-M Athletic Academic Award and earned U-M University Honors with Distinction. The competition was close on a team which has an average grade point average of over 3.0 and 18 members with a 3.0 or higher grade point average.

Graduate student Bernadette Marten (Fortville, Ind./Cathedral HS) was named the team's Most Improved Rower. Marten graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in English before coming to Michigan to work toward a graduate degree, which she is on track to earn in December. She entered the program with little formal rowing training. Since joining the Michigan program, she has shattered the ergometer record with a time of 6:40 and has earned a spot in the first varsity eight boat.

Katie Reynolds (Saint John, New Brunswick/Saint John HS) was named the Freshman of the Year. Reynolds joined the Wolverines as a celebrated rower, speed skater and student. In her first year at Michigan, she has pulled a time of 7:02 on the ergometer and earned a spot in the second varsity eight.

For their efforts on the novice team, freshman Julia Boyles was named the Novice of the Year and freshman Sarah Wild was selected as the Most Improved Novice.

The Wolverines, who this past Saturday (April 28) won their second straight Big Ten Conference title, return to action May 12-13 at the Central Region Rowing Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The NCAA Championships are May 24-26 on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Ga.

Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

Players Mentioned

Alison Hickey

Kate Johnson

Erin Kopicki

Bernadette Marten

Katie Reynolds

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