SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Mieke Boynton, who just completed her four-year career with the Sacramento State rowing team, was named to the 2002 Verizon Women''s At-Large Academic All-America team today. Boynton, who was among 45 student-athletes from around the country to receive the honor, was named to the third team. She becomes just the second Sacramento State rower to receive Academic All-America honors (joining Michelle Irvine in 1997) since the program moved to intercollegiate status in 1995.
Boynton was eligible for the honor after being named to the Verizon Academic All-District VIII Women''s At-Large first team a month ago. The at-large category includes student-athletes in the following women''s sports: rowing, gymnastics, skiing, fencing, ice hockey, swimming, water polo, field hockey, lacrosse, tennis, golf and rifle.
Today''s honor caps off an impressive year for Boynton as the team co-captain was named Hornet Bookstore Female Athlete of the Year, first team all-West Region, and was the recipient of the National Scholar-Athlete Award.
In addition, Boynton, who recently graduated with a 3.905 gpa as an English major, had the highest gpa of any Sacramento State female student-athlete for the second-consecutive year. She was named to the Dean''s List seven times during her four-year career.
The Bright, Australia, native led the Hornets'' varsity eight to a 7-2 dual-meet record and a silver medal at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships this season. She competed with the varsity eight in every competition this year and did not miss a race with the Hornets'' top boat during her four-year career (a span of 45-consecutive regattas).
A team co-captain each of the last two seasons, Boynton is a four-time all-West Region selection (first team in 1999, 2001 and 2002, and second team in 2000) and a three-time National Scholar-Athlete award winner. Since Boynton joined the team as a freshman (1998-99 season), the varsity eight combined for a dual-meet record of 27-6 while winning a pair of WIRA championships (2000 and 2001).
Mieke Boynton''s 2001-02 Academic/Athletic Honors
- Hornet Bookstore Female Athlete of the Year
- Third Team Academic All-American
- First Team All-West Region
- National Scholar-Athlete Award
- Verizon First Team Academic All-District VIII
- Highest gpa of any female student-athlete at Sacramento State for the second-consecutive year
- Graduated with a 3.905 gpa as an English major
- Recipient of the Donald R. Gerth Spirit Award, given to the student-athlete exhibiting the truest ideals of team spirit at Sacramento State.
