ERIE, Pa. - Sophomore Leyla Dombrowski (Erie, Pa. / Strong Vincent) of the Mercyhurst University women's rowing team has been named a Pocock First Team All-American for the 2013 season as announced by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) on Tuesday afternoon.

The qualifications for the honor is as follows: the student-athlete must meet all eligibility rules as defined by her institution; the student-athlete must have participated in at least 75% of all races during the current season (all races before and including May 12, 2013); the student-athlete must have rowed at least 75% of the season's races in the varsity boat (all race before and including May 12, 2013); the student-athlete must be nominated by her institution; and the head coach of the student-athlete's institution must be a member in good standing of the CRCA.

The selection criteria includes: strength of schedule; regular season record; end of season regatta results; nomination rank; coach's comments; and 2,000 meter erg score.

Dombrowski helped to lead the Mercyhurst women to its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Rowing Championships this season, which will get underway on Friday, May 31 at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is the Lakers' fourth trip in the last five years, as a team, to be invited to the championships.

Mercyhurst is looking for its first team national title since 2004. The Lakers' varsity eight boat won the national championship in 2010 after receiving an at-large bid.

This year's team championship is composed of four teams and each team is required to field one boat of eight rowers and one boat of four rowers. The teams selected were Barry University, Mercyhurst University, Nova Southeastern, and Western Washington.

In addition, two at-large varsity eight boats from institutions not represented in the team competition were selected. The two schools selected were UC San Diego and Central Oklahoma.

The Lakers will be in Indianapolis from May 31 through June 2.