Kleiss named CRCA All-American rower
June 07, 2011 | Women's Rowing
June 7, 2011
MADISON, Wis. – Junior women’s openweight rower Vanessa Kleiss (Grantsburg, Wis.) was named to the 2011 Pocock All-America Second Team, the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) has announced. The award recognizes the outstanding performances of rowers and coxswains on the national level in women's collegiate rowing.
Rowing in the bow for Wisconsin’s varsity eight at the 2011 NCAA Rowing Championships, Kleiss helped the Badgers to a ninth-place result in the race, the highest finish in program history.
A CRCA All-Central Region First Team selection, Kleiss rowed in Wisconsin’s varsity eight all season. The boat earned Big Ten Conference Boat of the Week honors for its victory over Minnesota on May 1, giving the Badgers their first weekly honor since 2009.
Selection to the All-America team is based on having rowed at least 75 percent of the season in the varsity boat, the strength of the boat at the national level, coaches’ comments and 2000 meter ergometer scores.
Kleiss’ selection marks the third Badger All-American openweight rower in three years, joining 2010’s Vicky Opitz and 2009’s Theresa Shields. Both Opitz and Shields were first-team selections.
