Crew team headed to NCAA tourney May 30

MSU has been awarded a team bid to the 2003 NCAA Women's Rowing Championship. It marks the fourth time in the squad's six-year history the Spartans have received the honor.

MSU joins two other Big Ten teams - Michigan and Ohio State - at the competition May 30-June 1 at Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis.

During last year's championships, the Spartans took home a ninth-place team finish while the second varsity eight earned fourth-place, the highest finish for any MSU crew boat.

Burrill nominated for nation's best catcher

On Tuesday senior catcher Brady Burrill was announced as a semi-finalist for the 2003 Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the nation's top collegiate catcher.

MSU's co-captain held a .381 batting average during his senior campaign, and led the conference in pick-offs while throwing out 20 runners. Burrill carried a .991 lifetime fielding average, committing just eight errors during his career.

He is among 10 finalists for the Johnny Bench Award despite missing the final nine games of the 2003 season with a broken bone in his left foot.

A national selection committee will announce the award's recipient at the 6th annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 24.

Burrill, along with junior pitcher Bryan Gale, also received second-team All-Big Ten accolades for their performance during the year. Sophomore right fielder Travis Gulick earned a spot on the third team.

Spartans now eligible for All-American nods

Four Spartans are now eligible for All-America accolades after being named to the 2003 Great Lakes All-Region softball team on Monday.

Senior center fielder Sandy Lewis, junior pitcher Jessica Beech, junior first base Natalie Furrow and junior third base Brittney Green all received the honor, the most in school history.

Lewis led the Spartan offense with a .369 batting average, while Beech (27-11, 1.25 ERA) was the team's top pitcher.

All-American teams will be announced later in the week.

Dawn Klemish