Seniors Jennifer Barker, Kelly Burke and Jenna Manis capped one of the most successful seasons in JU women’s rowing by earning the National Scholar-Athlete Award for outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments as announced by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA).

The award recognizes student-athletes with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA who have competed in 75 percent of their school’s spring races.

“Our goal as a team is to have a 3.0 GPA or higher,” said JU head coach Kris Muhl. “It is outstanding that the College Rowing Coaches Association honors those student-athletes who have achieved high academic success during their collegiate sports careers. These scholar-athletes represent 65 out of the 87 Division I varsity open-weight programs in the United States. I am also pleased to say that the varsity women’s squad achieved its goal in having a team GPA above 3.0.”

Barker, a sports administration major with a 3.77 GPA, earns the award for the third consecutive year after receiving Dean’s List honors and academic all-conference honors for the third straight year.

Burke, an education major with a 3.61 GPA, earns the award for the second time after earning last season. As a junior, she was named to the Dean’s List and earned academic all-conference honors. As a sophomore, she was named to the President’s Honor Roll after finishing the year with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Manis, a marine science major with a 3.97 GPA, garners the award for the first time after receiving Dean’s List honors and academic all-conference honors. As a junior, she was named to the Dean’s List while also receiving academic all-conference honors.