ITHACA, N.Y. – Todd Kennett has been named the 2008 EARC Lightweight Coach of the Year, while the 2008 Big Red lightweight rowing team has been named the EARC Lightweight Crew of the Year.

Kennett, who was recently named the Spirit of '57 Director of Rowing/Heavyweight Rowing Coach at Cornell University, spent 10 seasons as the lightweight rowing coach and his final season proved to be his best.

Under his direction, the Big Red lightweights won three consecutive IRA national titles from 2006 to 2008, two Eastern Sprints titles (2006, 2008), with four top-three finishes. His teams earned four straight invitations to the renowned Henley Royal Regatta and earned a pair of runner-up finishes. His varsity eight boat placed in the top six nationally in each of his last seven seasons.

The 2008 squad was named the EARC Lightweight Crew of the Year after making history, as it became the first lightweight eight boat to capture three straight IRA titles and swept the Eastern Sprints and IRA races for the second time in three years. Cornell took home the Jope Cup, given to the school that wins the most lightweight points, at the Eastern Sprints for the first time since 1992. The Big Red also earned a fourth consecutive invite to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta, advancing to the quarterfinals.