Complete list of National Scholar Athlete award winners
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Six Sacramento State rowers were recipient of the National Scholar Athlete Award, it was announced by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA).
This year's award winners were comprised of seniors Katarina Ciric, Shelby Kolbeck, Jordan Smith and Mikaela Smyth, junior Margaret Kuzela, and sophomore Sydnie Bain.
The award recognizes rowing student-athletes that have a 3.50 cumulative GPA or higher for their career. In addition, student-athletes must be in at least their second year of eligibility, and must be a member of the team at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
The accolades mark the 10th straight year, and 11th time in the last 13 years, Sacramento State has seen at least four of its student-athletes receive the National Scholar-Athlete Award.
Both Kolbeck and Smyth earned the accolade for the fourth straight year, becoming just the second and third Hornets in program history to win the award four times (Estel Boix Noguer is the other). Smith is a three-time winner, and both Ciric and Kuzela won the accolade for the second time.
Of the six Hornets that received the honor, four graduated in May (Ciric, Kolbeck, Smith, Smyth).
Sydnie Bain (major: criminal justice)
Despite being just a sophomore, Bain competed with the varsity eight in each of the boat's nine spring races…began the season in the two seat, but competed the final eight races in the four seat…sat in the four seat with the Hornet varsity eight that won the WIRA Championship for the first time since 2010…has yet to miss a spring race during her career.
Katarina Ciric (major: political science)
Recipient of the honor for the second time…competed with the second varsity eight during the spring…that included five races in the seven seat, and a pair of races in the four seat…finished the season in the four seat at the American Athletic Conference Championship…has raced with the second varsity eight in each of her three active seasons with the Hornets.
Shelby Kolbeck (major: kinesiology)
Recipient of the honor for the fourth time…a first team all-American Athletic Conference selection…also named the team's Most Outstanding rower…competed with the varsity eight in all nine spring races, sitting in the six seat on each of those occasions…has been named all-American Athletic Conference two straight years…has never missed a spring race during her five-year career.
Margaret Kuzela (major: art)
Recipient of the honor for the second straight year…was the coxswain for three boats during the spring, primarily the second varsity eight…coxed the varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four…spent seven races with the second varsity eight…coxed the varsity eight to a win over Kansas State in her lone race with the Hornets' top boat.
Jordan Smith (major: psychology)
Recipient of the honor for the third straight year…named the team's Most Inspirational rower…competed in the stroke seat with the varsity eight in all nine spring races…has competed with the varsity eight all four years of her career…has never missed a spring race during her career…has received all three team awards at different parts of her career (most improved in 2019, most outstanding in 2021, most inspirational this year).
Mikaela Smyth (major: kinesiology)
Recipient of the honor for the fourth straight year…sat in the three seat with the varsity eight in all nine spring races…has been with the program for five years, and has never missed a spring race…that includes a current streak of 37 consecutive spring races competed…has competed with the varsity eight or second varsity eight during all five of those seasons.
