PRINCETON, N.J. - Erin Cafaro (Modesto, Calif.) and David Banks (Potomac, Md.) have been named USRowing's 2009 Athletes of the Year, the organization announced on Thursday.
Cafaro, a five-time national team member and 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the women's eight, won gold medals in both the pair and eight at the 2009 World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland. Cafaro and boatmate Susan Francia (Abington, Pa.) became the first U.S. women's pair in history to win the world title. Cafaro, a graduate of the University of California, also won gold in the eight at the 2009 Rowing World Cup race in Lucerne, Switzerland. Domestically, she won the pair at the 2009 World Championships Trials and both USRowing National Selection Regattas. She also won gold in the eight at the 2009 USRowing National Championships.
"It's the greatest honor you can receive because it is voted on by your teammates. It's especially gratifying this year when so many people stepped up and performed well," Cafaro said. "I'm very honored and thankful for all my teammates and coaches. I couldn't have gotten anywhere without them."
Banks, a two-time national team member, ended a strong first season in the men's pair with partner Charlie Cole (New Canaan, Conn.) by finishing fifth in the event at the 2009 World Rowing Championships. Earlier in the summer, Banks, a Stanford University graduate, and Cole won a bronze medal at the world cup race in Lucerne and finished seventh at the world cup stop in Banyoles, Spain. Domestically, the duo won the pair at the 2009 World Championships Trials, both USRowing National Selection Regattas and the 2009 USRowing National Championships.
"I'm very honored, especially since it comes from my peers and teammates," Banks said. "I'd like to thank all my teammates and coaches. They've played a big part in this. It's a big responsibility, and I'll use it as motivation to get better. Charlie and I learned a lot this year. We grew a lot as a boat and matured as athletes in every way. It was a complete partnership. We had great chemistry and got along well. We both did our part to go as fast as we could. I'm looking forward to the future."
The athletes and coaches from the 2009 Senior National Team selected this year's USRowing Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Cafaro and Banks will be honored on Friday, December 4, at the USRowing Annual Awards Reception in Tempe, Ariz.