Melanie Luthi and Elizabeth Scherer Selected to Conference USA All-Academic Team

May 9, 2012

IRVING, Texas – Senior Melanie Luthi and sophomore Elizabeth Scherer have been selected to represent Kansas rowing on the Conference USA All-Academic Team it was announced Wednesday.

Fifteen student-athletes were named to the 2012 Conference USA All-Academic Team as voted on by the league’s sports information directors for women’s rowing. Oklahoma led all schools with three members on the squad while Alabama, Kansas, Tennessee, Texas and Tulsa each had two student-athlete representatives.

The all-academic team consists of student-athletes who have earned a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or better and are a key contributors to their team. This year’s squad members each compiled a GPA of 3.7 or better, averaging an impressive 3.88. Seven were unanimous selections.

This is the second-straight year Luthi has been named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team and first for Scherer.

“They are both strong rowers and equally strong in the classroom, so we’re really excited to hear about them receiving this recognition,” Kansas head rowing coach Rob Catloth said.

Luthi, a Junction City, Kan., native was a unanimous selection and is majoring in mechanical engineering and business. She has been a member of the First Varsity Eight during her entire rowing career at KU, while earning numerous honors during her time in Lawrence.

A Wamego, Kan. native, Scherer is majoring in exercise science and pre-physical therapy. Scherer has been a member of the First Varsity Eight during her sophomore campaign at KU.

Both Luthi and Scherer were named to the 2012 Academic All-Big 12 First Team, Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, while also earning the Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal.

The 2012 C-USA Rowing Championship will take place Saturday, May 12 at Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. For coverage and updates on the Championship, visit the C-USA Women’s Rowing Championship Central.

2012 C-USA Rowing All-Academic Team (* Repeat Selection)
NAME – SCHOOL – YEAR – GPA – MAJOR

Canella Tinker – Alabama – Junior – 3.93 – Exercise & Sports Science
*Stephanie Varner – Alabama – Senior – 4.00 – Electrical Engineering
*Melanie Luthi – Kansas – Senior – 3.87 – Mechanical Engineering & Business
Elizabeth Scherer – Kansas – Sophomore – 3.93 – Exercise Science & Pre-Physical Therapy
*Amanda Weishaar – Kansas State – Senior – 3.90 – Public Relations
Ivy Brown – Oklahoma – Senior – 3.81 – Health & Exercise Science
*Nicole Furmanek – Oklahoma – Senior – 3.92 – Elementary Education
*Brooke Sheppard – Oklahoma – Senior – 3.89 – Human Resource Management/Finance
Rachel Clagett – Tennessee – Sophomore – 3.76 – Graphic Design
*Erika Johnson – Tennessee – Junior – 3.74 – Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology
*Chelsea Burns – Texas – Junior – 3.83 – Audiology
Jessica Glennie – Texas – Sophomore – 3.94 – Architecture
Elissa Stiles – Tulsa – Sophomore – 3.90 – Spanish & International Studies
Renee Vanasse – Tulsa – Sophomore – 3.90 – Economics
*Chelsey Lauzon – UCF – Senior – 3.94 – Elementary Education/Coaching