Rowing earns national championship, two Lakers inducted into Hall of Fame

ACRA Hall of Fame

Grand Valley is a founding member of ACRA, which started hosting a national championship in 2008. The regatta has grown into the largest collegiate race in the United States. During the regatta, ACRA inducted two Lakers into the inaugural Hall of Fame class: 

Olympian Sarah (Zelenka) McIlduff, ’09: McIlduff walked onto the GVSU rowing team without prior experience. After four years at GVSU, she joined the U.S. National Team, ultimately earning a spot on the 2012 Olympic Team. She competed in the women’s pair event in London and finished fourth. At the ceremony, McIlduff spoke about how her rowing experience at GVSU made her fall in love with the sport and ultimately set her on the path to the Olympics. After the ceremony, she spent time and shared advice with current rowers. 

Former GVSU Head Coach John Bancheri : Bancheri, who died in May, led GVSU rowing from 2005-2019 and was instrumental in founding ACRA. Bancheri led crews to 14 national championships, GVSU won six straight team titles from 2008-2013, and he was named ACRA Coach of the Year four times.

Head rowing coach Kyle Barnhart said Laker rowers have been committed to meeting challenges throughout the year. 

“All of our crews executed their races exceptionally well and Grand Valley was well-represented here,” Barnhart said. “It is a real honor for Grand Valley to be represented in the Hall of Fame. Sarah and Coach Bancheri did great things for our program and helped put GVSU rowing on the map. Their legacies continue to resonate with our team.”

– Kyle Barnhart, ’14 and ’24, is the head rowing coach and assistant director for Alumni Engagement.