Alex Andersen, left, was one of four sailors from Roger Williams University named as an ICSA All American. hoto: Roger Williams University

Andersen and his team mates recently finished 2nd at the ICSA/Gill CoEd Dinghy Championships, recording RWU's highest ever finish and winning the Oxford University Trophy in the process. Photo: Roger Williams University

A committee of coaches, who represent the seven conferences in the ICSA, selects the ICSA All-America Team. For selecting the All-Americans, the committee evaluates a competitor based on their competitive record in inter-conference competition as well as conference and national championships. The committee analyzes how this record compares to fellow competitors, the quality of the competition the record was achieved in, the span of the record over the fall and spring seasons, results achieved with different crews, and how the record compares to previous All-American winners in past years.

For All-American crew selections, the committee uses criteria similar to skipper selection, but also considers: demonstrated leadership (may consider seniority), outstanding body mechanics and boat handling skills as well as proven ability to improve the results of the skipper(s) with whom he or she sails.

Anderson was selected as a 2012 ICSA Coed All-American, as well being a finalist for the Everett B. Morris Trophy, which is awarded annually to the College Sailor of the Year for outstanding performance at the highest level of sailing in the collegiate year.

Andersen and his team mates recently came away with a second place finish at the ICSA/Gill Coed Dinghy National Championship, co-hosted by the University of Texas Sailing Team and the Austin Yacht Club on Lake Travis. The Hawks' runner-up finish marks the best placing for Roger Williams at the Coed Dinghy Championships in history of the programme.

The Hawks won the Oxford University Trophy, awarded to the second place team in the ICSA/Gill Coed Dinghy National Championship. The Oxford University Yacht Club team and its captain Jeremy Thomas presented this trophy in 1954 on the occasion of the first of a continuing series of college regattas between British and North American teams held alternately in the United States and Great Britain every two years.

This is the first time Roger Williams has placed in the ICSA/Gill Championships and only the fifth time they have qualified for the event. They have not placed above fourth place before today.