University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Rowing Holds Boat Dedication
December 14, 2010 | Rowing
Dec. 14, 2010
AMHERST, Mass. - During halftime of the men's basketball game against Maine last week, the UMass Rowing team held a boat dedication ceremony at half-court, honoring former student-athletes Michelle Whitcomb-Borkhuis and Wendy Wilbur. During their time at UMass, both women were instrumental in providing the building blocks for what makes the Massachusetts Rowing team successful today. The Minutewomen also dedicated a boat to current UMass Hall of Famer Sarah Jones earlier this year.
Michelle Borkhuis graduated cum laude from the Massachusetts in 1996. Borkhuis was an Academic All-American in 1995 and graduated from the university as a four year rower with a grade point average of 3.54.
Michelle was a seven-time member of United States Women's National Rowing Team from 1997 to 2003. She was a ten-time U.S. National Champion and won the Canadian Henley in 1996 as well as the prestigious Head of the Charles in 1997. Michelle demonstrated excellent versatility, competing at National levels as both an openweight, a lightweight, a sweep rower and a sculler.
During Michelle's seven year career with the National Team, she competed for the United States in five World Championships bringing home two silver medals in 1997 and 2001 and two bronze medals in 1998 and 2002.
Wendy Wilbur was a 1995 graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a double degree in Communications and Sociology. Wendy also received her graduate degree from the University in Labor Studies in 1997.
Wendy was a part of the UMass 1997 Women's Eight that placed a historic second at the Inaugural NCAA Women's Rowing Championship. That year she was also named a USRowing Academic All American.
Wendy went on to become a seven time United States National Team member from 1997 to 2003 and a ten-time US National Champion. Wendy competed for the United States at seven World Champions bringing home a gold medal in 2003 in the Women's Straight 4, a silver medal in 1998 and a bronze in 1999. Wendy continues to spread her passion for rowing as an assistant coach for Radcliffe Crew at Harvard University and with the U.S. Junior National Development Team as a coach.