Ongun Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year
5/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
PARK RIDGE, Ill.-- Melisa Ongun(Chicago, Ill./Lincoln Park) of the University of Michigan women's rowing team was voted the Big Ten Freshman of the Year as determined by the conference's seven head coaches, the Big Ten announced on Wednesday (May 6).
Ongun has stroked U-M's first varsity eight in each of its 10 races this spring. With wins in nine of those 10 races, the Wolverines' top boat is ranked No. 6 in the country in this week's USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA Division I Varsity Eight Coaches Poll. At the Big Ten Championships last Saturday (May 2), the first varsity eight earned the silver medal in its event. Michigan also took second in the overall team standings behind Michigan State.
Ongun is the third Wolverine in program history to garner the Big Ten Freshman of the Year accolade. Current junior Adrienne Mecham won the award in 2007 and Leah Ketcheson (2002-05) received the honor in 2002.
The Wolverines return to the water next weekend (Sat-Sun., May 16-17) when they travel to Oak Ridge, Tenn., to compete at the Central/South Region Sprints in an effort to qualify for the NCAA Championships (Fri-Sun., May 29-31).
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
