ORLANDO -- The Barry University women's rowing team placed two on the All-Sunshine State Conference team announced by the conference office Wednesday.
Voting for the all-conference team was conducted among the league's rowing coaches and sports information directors.
Joining Michelle Sosa on the All-SSC team were: Elise Carlson (Barry), Kimberly Dirschka (Rollins), Cindy Fong (Nova Southeastern), Renee Forcier (Barry), Rachel Garbaj (Nova Southeastern), Jennifer Johnson (Florida Tech), Megankate McDonald (Nova Southeastern), Lauren McElhenny (Nova Southeastern), coxswain Marissa Stickles (Nova Southeastern), and Rebecca Werle (Florida Tech).
An All-Freshman/Novice team was also chosen. Earning honors along with Sosa on the squad were: coxswain Heather Clayton (Nova Southeastern), Claire Kurlychek (Nova Southeastern), Justine Rooney (Rollins), Guinevere Shaw (Florida Tech), and Jessica Sutter (Nova Southeastern).
Thorstad wins Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his four-year career as head coach at Florida Tech. He also earned the distinction in 2007.
The Varisty 8 and 4 received SSC Boat of the Week honors during the 2008-09 season.
Back on Mar. 2, the Varsity 8 claimed the honors after finishing first at the Stetson Sprints, three seconds ahead of the University of Florida.
On Apr. 4, the Varisty 4 snagged the club championship at the Knecht Cup in Camden, N.J.
The Bucs closed the season strong finishing second in the SSC Rowing Championships, before the Varsity 8 finished fourth in the Petite Final of the Dad Vail Regatta.
2009 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE ROWING TEAM
Elise Carlson (Barry, Sr.)
Kimberly Dirschka (Rollins, Jr.)
Cindy Fong (Nova Southeastern, Sr.)
Renee Forcier (Barry, Fr.)
Rachel Garbaj (Nova Southeastern, Sr.)
Jennifer Johnson (Florida Tech, Sr.)
Megankate McDonald (Nova Southeastern, Sr.)
Lauren McElhenny (Nova Southeastern, Sr.)
Michelle Sosa (Rollins, Fr.)
Marissa Stickles (cox) (Nova Southeastern, So.)
Rebecca Werle (Florida Tech, Sr.)
Rower of the Year - Michelle Sosa, Rollins
Boat of the Year - Florida Tech Varsity 8
Coach of the Year - Adam Thorstad, Florida Tech
ALL-FRESHMAN/NOVICE TEAM
Heather Clayton (cox) (Nova Southeastern, Fr.)
Claire Kurlychek (Nova Southeastern, Fr.)
Justine Rooney (Rollins, Fr.)
Guinevere Shaw (Florida Tech, Fr.)
Michelle Sosa (Rollins, Fr.)
Jessica Sutter (Nova Southeastern, Fr.)