Rowing | 9/12/2019 11:53:00 AM

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Sophomore Janika Koelblin and junior Tara Marinkovic were named the Barry University rowing captains for this season, as elected by the 2019-20 team Wednesday.
 
Koelblin, a native of Esslingen, Germany, was a varsity eight mainstay in spring 2019. She sat six seat in the silver medal crew at the Sunshine State Conference Championship and stroked the bronze medal boat at the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. Koelblin was named to the SSC Honor Roll and was an All-SSC Freshman/Novice Team selection. She returned to Miami this fall with a World Rowing Championships bronze medal in the lightweight pair, representing her home country in Linz, Austria, in August.
 
"Being elected captain is a big honor," Koelblin said. "We have many new recruits and are in a good spot this year, so we will make this new season a great one and reach our goal of returning to NCAAs."
 
Marinkovic, hailing from Belgrade, Serbia, was a key contributor to both top boats last season. In the fall, she was two seat of the second varsity four which finished 17th out of 44 at the Head of the Charles, securing automatic qualification for 2019. In the spring, she helped the DII four to a win against Rollins and Florida, followed by a win as stroke seat of the JV four at the FIRA Championships. She moved to two seat of the varsity eight for the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships and SSC Championship, taking fifth and second place, respectively. She earned both the SSC Honor Roll and Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar-Athlete recognition at the end of last season.
 
"I'm thankful that my teammates gave me the opportunity to be one of the captains and try to help keep the team on a good path," Marinkovic said. "I aim to help the team stay united and motivated and bring us closer to our national goals. I am excited to work with this large group of talented women from all over the world."
 
The Bucs first hit the water next month in Miami Beach for the Head of the Indian Creek against University of Miami, Stetson and Nova Southeastern.