PHILADELPHIA - The Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) has announced its 2023 Empacher-IRCA All-America teams as well as its 2023 Empacher-IRCA Scholar Athletes. The University of Pennsylvania men's heavyweight crew was honored to have two of its sophomore oarsmen named All-America, as Sam Sullivan earned first-team honors while Matt Davis received second-team recognition.

In addition, junior Ben Rutherford was honored by the IRCA as its Comeback Athlete of the Year, an honor that is given to that athlete who has shown significant improvement with their perseverance, determination and dedication.
 
To be eligible for Empacher-IRCA Scholar Athlete recognition, a student-athlete must be in at least his second year of eligibility; competed in the program's top three boats during the season or raced at the 2023 IRA Championship; and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher through the fall semester. Penn's heavyweight crew had 13 members honored for their efforts on the water and in the classroom.

In addition to the All-America and Scholar Athlete honors that were announced by the IRCA, as well as Rutherford's Comeback Athlete of the Year honor, Penn's heavyweight crew was honored to have head coach Al Monte named as one of six finalists for the IRCA's Division 1 Coach of the Year award.

2023 IRCA Comeback Athlete of the Year
Ben Rutherford (Jr.)
 
2023 Empacher-IRCA All-Americans
First Team: Sam Sullivan (So.)
Second Team: Matt Davis (So.)
 
2023 Empacher-IRCA Scholar Athletes
Sophie Borenstein (Jr.) - coxswain
Matt Davis (So.)
Maurice Fisher (Sr.)
Charles Jones (So.)
Gianna LaBella (Sr.) - coxswain
Jake Nordell (Sr.)
Colin Rosser (Jr.)
Ben Rutherford (Jr.)
Liam Seeley (Jr.)
Jack Theodore (So.)
James Votruba-Drzal (So.)
Jack Wilkin (Jr.)
Nick Zhou (So.)