Former Rowers Make National Team
8/29/2001 5:26:29 PM | Women's Soccer, Women's Rowing
The Orangewomen's race toward the national championship last spring continues to have a ripple effect. Following up a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Rowing Championship and numerous post-season awards, two members of SU's history-making varsity eight, Helen Tanger and Froukje Wegman earned seats on the Dutch national team's top boat.
"I don't think I would have made the team if I hadn't had the rowing experience at Syracuse University that I had this past year," Tanger said.
Tanger, who rowed in the three seat at Syracuse, rows in the five seat for the national team's eight with coxswain. Wegman, who rowed in the two seat for the Orangewomen, rows in the same spot for the Dutch boat.
The same boat Tanger and Wegman are rowing in won the silver medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Tanger, Wegman and their boat competed in the finals of the World Championships on August 26.
In 2001 the Orangewomen finished sixth at the NCAA Rowing Championships, along with winning the inaugural BIG EAST Rowing Challenge, the Orange Challenge Cup and the Orange Plus Cup. Head rowing coach Kris Sanford was named Eastern Sprints, BIG EAST and Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. Current senior stroke, Jillian Kott earned first-team All-American honors, while graduated senior Katie Modolo made the second team. Kott, Modolo, Wegman and Alicea Kochis earned Mid-Atlantic Region All-American status.
