University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Photo by: Marc Lebryk
'U' Rowing has 16 Earn CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award
6/5/2026 3:00:00 PM | Rowing
More than 1,000 rowers honored Friday
MINNEAPOLIS - Sixteen student-athletes from the Minnesota rowing team were recognized Friday by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) with the 2026 CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award. In total, 1,174 student-athletes earned the award across all divisions of collegiate women's rowing as these athletes represent the highest standards of excellence in both academic achievement and athletic performance.
Of the student-athletes recognized in 2026, 76 maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. These numbers reflect the dedication, time management, and resilience required to excel in demanding collegiate sports while pursuing rigorous academic goals.
The CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes collegiate rowers who demonstrate a strong commitment to success in the classroom and on the water. Nominees must meet the following criteria:
Academic Requirements
2026 CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award Winners
Radhika Ajmera - Marketing
Alexa Fauson - English
Manon Field - Cellular and Organismal Physiology
Madeline Fincham - Premajor
Emily Franke - Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
Emma Herstad - Biology
Kimberly Klassen - Finance
Nuala Macfarlane - Business and Marketing Education
Peyton Miller - Marketing
McCall Motz - Finance
Alexa Mueller - Cellular and Organismal Physiology
Ashley Ohlemacher - Biology
Chloe Petersen - Undeclared
Sophia Pirigyi - Developmental Psychology
Martyna Rzeznik - Business and Marketing Education
Danna Strohsack - Medical Laboratory Sciences
For a full list of the 2026 CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award recipients, click HERE.
Of the student-athletes recognized in 2026, 76 maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. These numbers reflect the dedication, time management, and resilience required to excel in demanding collegiate sports while pursuing rigorous academic goals.
The CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes collegiate rowers who demonstrate a strong commitment to success in the classroom and on the water. Nominees must meet the following criteria:
Academic Requirements
- Must meet all institutional and conference eligibility rules
- Must be in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th year of eligibility
- Must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher through the end of the fall semester
- Must have rowed in at least 75% of the team's spring races in an NCAA eligible boat
or - Must have competed in an NCAA boat at their conference championship
2026 CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award Winners
Radhika Ajmera - Marketing
Alexa Fauson - English
Manon Field - Cellular and Organismal Physiology
Madeline Fincham - Premajor
Emily Franke - Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
Emma Herstad - Biology
Kimberly Klassen - Finance
Nuala Macfarlane - Business and Marketing Education
Peyton Miller - Marketing
McCall Motz - Finance
Alexa Mueller - Cellular and Organismal Physiology
Ashley Ohlemacher - Biology
Chloe Petersen - Undeclared
Sophia Pirigyi - Developmental Psychology
Martyna Rzeznik - Business and Marketing Education
Danna Strohsack - Medical Laboratory Sciences
For a full list of the 2026 CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award recipients, click HERE.
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