SEATTLE – The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association announced its list of Pocock All-Americans Friday afternoon, with Seattle Pacific's Macie Leach featured as a First Team All-American and Jacinta Grandel recognized as a Second Team All-American.
"We are thrilled to have Macie and Jacinta selected to the first and second All American teams," head coach Caitlin McClain said. "Both have made massive impacts on SPU Rowing and contributed to the speed of our conference and NCAA Division II rowing at the national level. We are so proud of Macie and Jacinta and are grateful to the CRCA and Pocock Racing Shells for recognizing them and their peers across all three divisions."
The SPU rowing team finished the year with an incredible third-place finish at NCAA Nationals. The group earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference Crew of the Week honors three times, was consistently in regional and national polls, and collected a total of 18 postseason awards (academic and athletic).
Leach's list of accolades is an extensive one. She carved out a career comparable to the best in the sport. Leach earned GNAC First Team honors in 2022 and 2023. She's now added a second All-American nod during her wonderful time with the Falcons.
Academically. Leach earned GNAC All-Academic honors three times with the Falcons. The academic honors extend outside of the conference as well. Leach earned the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Associations Academic Award in 2022.
"For Macie, this is her second year earning the first team distinction and it is well-deserved given her consistent performance across all four years on the team, especially this past year as Captain and with the fastest individual 2k erg," McClain added.
Grandel garners her first honor of All-American. Like Leach, Grandel experienced immense success in the classroom, earning GNAC All-Academic honors three times. She was also consistent part of the V8+ group that earned conference crew of the week honors twice in 2023.
At the 2023 Talon Awards, Grandel was saluted as the winner of the John Glance Award. That is given to one student-athlete who best exemplifies the concept of service, both inside and outside of SPU, as well as on that athlete's particular team. It was the second time in the 10-year history of the award that it has gone to a rower.
"Jacinta's Second Team honor is a testament to the hard work and steady progress that put her in the stroke seat of the Varsity 8+ this season," McClain said. "She was instrumental in leading the boat to strong finishes in multiple close races, which helped the team earn another NCAA bid."
