June 15, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's University rowers Matt Benedetto and Sean Stewart have been named to the 2011 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Men's Rowing Team, as voted on by the Philadelphia area's 28 sports information offices.

Benedetto and Stewart, who each attended Malvern Prep, were members of the Hawks' Lightweight 8 that placed fourth at the 2011 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta, which was SJU's top finish of the regatta. They also helped that same boat to second-place finishes at both the SIRA Regatta and the Knecht Cup.

Benedetto is a junior accounting major from Newtown Square, Pa. He maintains a 3.75 cumulative grade-point average.

Stewart, a native of Havertown, Pa., is also a junior accounting major. He posted a grade-point average of 3.88.

In order to be eligible for Academic All-Area, an athlete must be in his second year at the institution and hold a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better. A total of nine rowers were chosen and Saint Joseph's was one of three schools to have two rowers selected to the Academic All-Area Team.