Pritchard and Witty Earn Scholar-Athlete Award from CRCA

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University rowers Molly Pritchard (So., Medford, OR/South Medford HS) and Angela Witty (Jr./Fr., Eugene, OR/Sheldon HS) have been received the Scholar-Athlete Award from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) for the 2014-15 season.

The CRCA honored Scholar-Athletes in all three NCAA Divisions. In Division III, a total of 108 athletes from 19 colleges and universities earned recognition.

Qualifications for the CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award required each athlete to meeting eligibility standards at their current university while holding sophomore, junior or senior eligibility in the NCAA.

Athletes also had to participate in at least 75% of races in a boat this spring or compete at a regional conference event such as the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships on the West Coast. In addition, a 3.5 cumulative grade point average through the fall semester of 2014 was required for selection.

Pritchard, who is majoring in Economics, rowed 2-seat on the Willamette women's varsity 8+ at the Northwest Conference Championships and at the WIRA Championships. Witty, an International Studies major, was 3-seat for the Bearcats in the WV8+ at the NWC Championships and at the WIRA Championships.

"Both of these student-athletes exhibit being at the top of their game both athletically and academically," Willamette Head Coach Reba Knickerbocker said. "Angela is in our 3/2 MBA program. In addition, she was in her first year on our team.

"Molly is incredibly talented in a lot of different ways," Knickerbocker added. "She is a great singer and a skilled athlete. She is in her second year with the program. She's also a really big leader on the team even though she's not a captain ... especially leading by example."

Willamette placed fourth in the NWC. The Bearcats took second place in the Third Final of the WV8+ at WIRA.