LEWISTON, Maine -- Bates men's rowing captain Steven Sparks was named a first team All-American by the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association on Wednesday.

Earlier in the week, 12 Bobcats were named IRCA Scholar Athletes for their achievements in the classroom. 

This marks the first time the IRCA has issued All-America honors in its history, making Sparks '22 (Simsbury, Conn.) the first Bates men's rowing All-American since coxswain Lisa Hamasaki '95 was named a USRowing Collegiate All-American in 1995. 

Sparks rowed in the fifth seat for the first varsity eight at the 2021 IRA National Championships. He was a second team All-NESCAC selection this year and has been in the 1V from the start of his career. In 2018-19, he helped the Bobcats capture a third consecutive NESCAC title at the National Invitational Rowing Championships.

According to the IRCA, in order to be named an "All-American", rowers and coxswains must have met the following criteria:

• The student-athlete must meet all eligibility rules defined by their institution.

• The student must have raced in the current spring season's varsity boat.

• The student-athlete must be nominated by their institution.

• The head coach of the student athlete's institution must be in good standing with the IRCA.

Nominated student-athletes are then selected by the IRCA Board of Directors to "1st team", "2nd team", or "Honorable Mention" based on the following criteria:

• Strength of finish of the institution's varsity boat.

• Nomination Rank within the institution.

• Coach's comments, individual achievements, and erg score.

The 12 Bobcats named IRCA Scholar Athletes are: Alexander Burbelo '22, Maxwell Cavallaro '22, William Corcoran '22, Samuel Faasen '23, Xavier Fallone '22, Jack Fruechte '22, Benjamin MacDonald '23, Thomas Monahan '22, Charles Rubin '23, coxswain Evan Saltman '22, Robert Sobolewski '22, and Jasper Tucker '22.

According to the IRCA, in order to be named a "scholar athlete", rowers and coxswains must have met the following criteria:

• Athletes from all IRCA Member Schools are eligible.

• Athletes must be in second year or more of eligibility.

• Athletes must have competed in the program's top 3 boats during the current season or raced at the 2021 IRA Championship.

• Athletes must have at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA through fall semester.