June 5, 2007

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina rowing team recently announced the recipients of its awards for the 2006-07 season. Lisy McIntee, a junior from Bala Cynwyd, Pa., and Callie Knop, a freshman from Charlotte, were named MVP's of the varsity and novice squads, respectively.

In addition to the MVP award, which is selected by the coaches, McIntee was chosen by her teammates as the recipient of the varsity squad's Spirit Award, which goes to a team member who always tries her best and encourages her teammates to follow suit. McIntee also won the Fastest 2K Award for turning in the best time of the season on a 2,000-meter erg test.

"Lisy was a tremendous asset to our program this year," UNC head coach Sarah Haney said. "Winning three awards is a testament to her own ambition and goals, but also her ability to push her teammates while gaining their respect."

Sophomore Shannon Wilson, a coxswain from Greensboro, was selected as the recipient of the Most Improved Award for the varsity squad. Senior Adriann Spinks, who is from Francisco, N.C., was named Outstanding Performer for Strength and Conditioning and sophomore Kayla Hackett, from Plainsboro, N.J., was named Most Improved for Strength and Conditioning.

Annie Baer, a freshman from North Salem, N.Y., received the Spirit Award for the novice squad. Danielle Litt, a freshman from New York, N.Y., was named Most Improved for the novice squad.

Novice squad members Kaiea Buck (Charlotte) and Mackenzie Huffman (Durham, N.C.) shared the Coaches Award. "Kaiea gives her best effort in all practices and takes the initiative to do extra workouts," said novice coach Stephen Arthur-Wong. "She constantly strives to row her best and she goes out of her way to encourage her teammates. Mackenzie has persevered through adversity just to be a part of this team. Her dedication to her teammates while battling an injury that would not let her take a single stroke proved a humbling example to us all."