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May 24, 2011

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Three members of Western Washington University's varsity eight, stroke Casey Mapes (Sr., Anchorage, AK/Robert Service), No.5 seat Siri Carlson (Sr., Tacoma/Franklin Pierce) and coxswain Samantha Oberholzer (Sr., Bellevue), have been named to the 2011 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/NCAA Division II Pocock All-America women's rowing team. Carlson and Oberholzer were first-team picks, and Mapes was a second-team choice.

The trio have played major roles in Western being ranked No.1 nationally all year long and in position to win a seventh straight national title this weekend at Gold River, Calif. It is the fourth trip to nationals for Oberholzer and Mapes and the third for Carlson.

Earlier this season, Carlson was named both a Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference and Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association first-team all-star.

"Siri (Carlson) has stepped up and become one of our greatest leaders," said Western coach John Fuchs (13th year). "She broke boundaries in training, and has been an example of motivation, dedication and how to be the consummate team player."

Mapes and Oberholzer also were all-WIRA selections.

"Samantha (Oberholzer) has guided her crew steadily all year long," Fuchs said. "She has earned the respect of her crew and is much loved by them. Everyday she executes our practices flawlessly and is always looking for ways to better herself as a coxswain. She has been one of the best to have sat in that seat since I started coaching here."

"Casey (Mapes) is a leader in every category I require to be a captain. She works extremely hard, is a great person and her team loves her."

Western's varsity eight has won five of seven races this season. The two losses, both by close margins, were to two NCAA I schools, Gonzaga and the University of Washington junior varsity.

Oberholzer also directed the varsity eight last year after being the varsity four cox as a freshman and sophomore. This is Carlson's second year in the varsity eight after being in the varsity four as a sophomore. Mapes is in the varsity eight for the third straight season after being in the varsity four as a freshman.

2011 CRCA Division II Pocock All-America Team

Samantha Oberholzer, Western Washington
Jaimee Lampard, Barry
Amanda Carlyon, Mercyhurst
Allysa O'Donnell, Nova Southeastern
Molly Fisher, Humboldt State
Bethany Brun, Mercyhurst
Jen Gillette, Florida Institute of Technology
Siri Carlson, Western Washington
Jennifer Burke, UC San Diego