May 22, 2006

BERKELEY - Five members of the Cal's defending national champion women's rowing team have been named to the All-West Region team, the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association announced Monday.

The awards recognize the outstanding performances of rowers from each of the five Division I regions, organized into first and second-team selections.

Earning first-team status for the Bears are senior Kaylan Vander Schilden, senior Erin Cafaro, junior Jelena Djukic and freshman coxswain Krista Ellis. Senior Erin Reinhardt was chosen to the second team.

Cal's four first-team selections were the most in the region, following by USC and Washington State, who had two picks each.

The Bears are ranked second in the nation this spring and will try to defend their 2005 NCAA title at the national regatta Friday-Sunday at the Finn Caspersen Rowing Center in West Windsor, N.J.

CRCA All-West Region Team

1st Team
Kaylan Vander Schilden (California)
Erin Cafaro (California)
Jelena Djukic (California)
Sarah Waterfield (Washington State)
Jody Thomas (Washington State)
Ligita Kaviere (USC)
Tatiana Boldyreva (USC)
Megan Kalmoe (Washington)
Susan Be Ville (Stanford)
Vanessa Teff (UCLA)
Caroline Leibinger (Oregon State)
Liz Stewart (Loyola Marymount)
Krista Ellis (California), coxswain

2nd Team
Erin Reinhardt (California)
Kasia Bloch (Washington State)
Laura Griffin (Washington State)
Megan Biging (USC)
Allison DePalma (Washington)
Kerry Birk (Stanford)
Janine LaCrosse (Sacramento State)
Mia Lysen (San Diego State)
Kelly O'Brien coxswain (Washington State)