BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's rowing team had another great season in competition in 2025 and was equally impressive in the classroom with several academic awards.
 
The Vikings led the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with 13 all-academic awards, had five student-athletes earn spots on the Academic All-District At-Large team and had seven CRCA Scholar-Athlete award winners.
 
"These academic honors are a testament to the focus, work ethic, and determination our student-athletes bring to all they do," said WWU head coach Courtney Moeller. "Our student-athletes consistently demonstrate that high performance in the classroom is just as important as excellence on the water. We're incredibly proud of the way they represent WWU, embodying the true spirit of Viking athletics."
 
Western was led by four student-athletes that swept the three big academic awards in 2025, with junior coxswain Janisa Cook, junior rower Mia Marie Knipe, junior rower Sarah Plemons and junior rower Taylor Wall all earning a spot on each team. Cook, Wall and Knipe doubled as All-GNAC performers and earned a spot on the CRCA All-America team for NCAA Division II. WWU placed 2nd at the GNAC Championships and 3rd at the NCAA Championships this season.
 
All-GNAC Academic:
WWU led all conference rowing programs with 13 selections to the 2025 GNAC All-Conference Academic team, presented by Barnes & Noble College. Student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20, must be in at least their second season competing for their team and must have competed during the 2025 season. Seniors Reed Chesnek and Paige Donner became three-time GNAC Academic All-Stars to highlight the Vikings selections:
 

• Jenna Buckholt (Jr., 3.66, Elementary Education)
• Ellie Calvez (So., 3.70, Kinesiology)
• Reed Chesnek (Sr., 3.52, Environmental Policy & Spanish)
• Lex Clark (Sr., 3.69, Urban Planning)
• Janisa Cook (Jr., 3.55, Journalism/PR)
• Paige Donner (Sr., 3.55, Kinesiology)
• Sarah Ernst (Sr., 3.35, Biochemistry)
• Beau Hopkins (Jr., 3.38, Kinesiology)
• Mia Marie Knipe (Jr., 3.76, Polymer Engineering)
• Kylie Lovrich (Jr., 3.30, Math Education)
• Malea Moy (Jr., 3.88, Lacey, WA)
• Sarah Plemons (Jr., 3.96, Spanish & Geology)
• Taylor Wall (Jr., 3.89, History & Political Science)

 
Academic All-District At-Large:
Western had five rowers earn Academic All-District honors presented by the College Sports Communicators on the At-Large team. These student-athletes met the criteria of maintaining at least a 3.50 GPA and competing in at least four competitions or as a member of an NCAA boat. Taylor Wall and Mia Marie Knipe move on to the All-America ballot for the At-Large team.
 

• Jenna Buckholt (Jr., 3.66, Elementary Education)
• Janisa Cook (Jr., 3.55, Journalism/PR)
• Mia Marie Knipe (Jr., 3.76, Polymer Engineering)
• Sarah Plemons (Jr., 3.96, Spanish & Geology)
• Taylor Wall (Jr., 3.89, History & Political Science)

 
CRCA Scholar Athletes:
WWU had seven student-athletes earn the coveted CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award for the 2025 season. These awards honor outstanding collegiate rowers who exemplify excellence both in the classroom and on the water, celebrating the commitment, discipline, and academic achievement of student-athletes who rise to the challenge of excelling in a demanding sport while maintaining exceptional academic performance. Student-athletes must be in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th year of eligibility and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher through the end of the winter quarter. The student-athletes needed to compete in 75 percent of their team's spring races in NCAA boats. Or, they could have competed in an NCAA boat at their conference or national championship.
 

• Reed Chesnek (Sr., 3.52, Environmental Policy & Spanish)
• Lex Clark (Sr., 3.69, Urban Planning)
• Janisa Cook (Jr., 3.55, Journalism/PR)
• Paige Donner (Sr., 3.55, Kinesiology)
• Mia Marie Knipe (Jr., 3.76, Polymer Engineering)
• Sarah Plemons (Jr., 3.96, Spanish & Geology)
• Taylor Wall (Jr., 3.89, History & Political Science)