May 4, 2000

The University of North Carolina rowing team celebrated its third season as a varsity program with a banquet on Sunday evening, April 30, on the UNC campus. The Tar Heels honored their six seniors-Danae Ringelmann, Kristin Miller, Heather Higgins, Holly Jones, Rachel Kolbinsky, and Ann Crawford-and presented several team awards. Below are the recipients, with comments by head coach Joel Furtek.

Most Improved: Meredith Krull
Sophomore Meredith Krull began the 1999-2000 year at the bottom of the varsity program, and spent most of her time out of the two varsity eights, rowing in small boats to improve her techniques and on the erg to improve her power. When the team size shrank slightly in January, Meredith found herself in the second varsity eight. She overcame the initial doubts and concerns of her teammates through hard work on the water and a rededication to her sport in the way she lived her life off the water. Her turnaround has been so complete that her teammates, who originally questioned her commitment, recently campaigned with the coaching staff for recognition of her vast improvement. Meredith stands for the dramatic changes we seek in all of our athletes, regardless of their position on the team or number of years in rowing.

Most Valuable: Erin Neppel
Junior Erin Neppel proved herself the program's most valuable athlete through daily doses of hard work and competitiveness. Erin is by far the fiercest competitor, hardest trainer, and fastest oar in our program. Every member of our team wants to be in Erin's boat in practice, and is thankful to pull up to the starting line at a race and know that she doesn't have to face Erin in another boat! Erin exemplifies Carolina Rowing's desire for unerring dedication to pushing herself and her teammates faster every day.

Carolina Spirit: Lindsey Rewerts
There is no question that junior Lindsey Rewerts is the most spirit-filled athlete on our team. Lindsey's love for Carolina, and Carolina Rowing, is worn not only on her sleeve, but on her arms, where she is quite likely to paint Tar Heels, UNC's, and "Carolina" before a big regatta. She is always the first to encourage her boatmates and challenge those in an opposing boat in practice. Lindsey takes her excitement out to the entire population at UNC in her role with Carolina Fever as "Mic Man" at football games. She daily reminds us of our love for this University and this team.

Rookie of the Year: Layne Carey
In a program which teaches 90% of its athletes how to row, sophomore Layne Carey is a sign of great things to come. She represents not only herself, but our 20 novice rowers who are learning the sport at the same time that they are competing within the top 25 nationally. After a year of volleyball, Layne moved over to rowing this year and after just two months on the water was integral part of our varsity program. By mid-April she was in the varsity eight, and had been invited by the US National Team to attend a freshman camp at the ARCO Olympic Training Center this summer. Layne and those like her are the future of Carolina Rowing, a bright future indeed.