ITHACA, N.Y. – Todd Kennett, the Spirit of '57 Director of Rowing/Head Coach of Heavyweight Rowing has been named the EARC Coach of the Year, as voted on by the leagues' coaches, while the Big Red heavyweight varsity-8 has been named the EARC Co-Crew of the Year. In just his second season as the heavyweight coach, Kennett led the Big Red to one of its most successful campaigns in recent history.

“It's a special honor for a coach to be recognized by peers,” said J. Andrew Noel, The Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education. “We at Cornell are very proud of Coach Kennett for the hard work and heart that fueled the 2010 heavyweight crew and we are thrilled that his efforts and achievements were validated by his peers with this award.”

Last season, Kennett led four boats into the Grand Finals of the 108th annual IRA Regatta. The Big Red was one of just four teams in the nation to place its varsity-8, second varsity-8 and freshmen-8 into the Grand Finals. At the end of the day, two Cornell boats had medaled, including the varsity-8, which took the bronze behind the two top-ranked crews, Cal and Washington. The third-place finish by Cornell was the best finish at the IRA since taking third in 1994. For its efforts at the IRA, the Big Red varsity-8 was named the Row2K Crew of the Week. Additionally, the Open 4+ placed first at the IRAs and set a course record, despite having two freshmen in the boat. Overall, the performance of Cornell's four boats led the Big Red to its best team finish since 1981.

In addition to its outstanding third place finish at the IRAs, the varsity-8 posted a 7-3 record overall, despite returning only three letter winners from the previous season. Cornell was honored as the EARC Co-Crew of the Year along with Harvard University.

“It is a great honor for the guys to be named the EARC Co-Crew of the Year,” said Kennett. “Only three athletes returned from the previous year's varsity, so many of them had to gain the confidence and experience that would allow them to be able to perform at the level they did. They were a very persistent and determined group, always working to become better and never becoming so upset with a result that they could not focus on how to overcome the set back. Despite several loses in the early season, and then having to fight for a seventh place at the Eastern Sprints, they rallied and had an incredible push through the final of the IRA.”

“We also want to acknowledge the Harvard crew and congratulate them on their share of the award,” concluded Kennett.