The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
05.29.2019 | Rowing
Junior Milica Slijepcevic, a three-time Big 12 Champion, was given the conference's highest rowing honor on Wednesday.
IRVING, Texas -- On Wednesday, the Big 12 conference announced the recipients for the 2019 Big 12 Rowing 'Of the Year' awards, voted on by league coaches. Texas junior Milica Slijepcevic was named Rower of the Year, after a stand-out year in both competition and practice.
"Mica is very deserving of this award," said head coach Dave O'Neill. "She's worked really hard the last few years and has turned herself into a world-class rower. More importantly she's been a terrific teammate and leader and has been integral to our team's success."
Slijepcevic is a three-time Big 12 champion and two-time All-Big 12 Team honoree. After competing at the 2019 NCAA Championship later this weekend, the junior will have participated at the national championship each year of her academic residence. The junior rowed at seven seat in the first eight at the 2019 Big 12 Championship. The crew crossed the finish line in first place at 6:25.872. Additionally, she was voted captain this year by her teammates and held the quickest 2,000-meter and 6,000-meter erg times of the team.
She is the third consecutive Longhorn and fifth overall to receive the Rower of the Year honor. In 2018, Emily Froehlich earned the award and the 2017 recipient was Gia Doonan, who also brought home the same honor in 2015.
Oklahoma sophomore Nicole Molina claimed Newcomer of the Year and Alabama head coach Glenn Putyrae tabbed Coach of the Year.
