May 4, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University Athletics honored its senior student-athletes at the 30th Annual Senior Recognition Luncheon Friday afternoon at the Bohler Athletic Complex.
The luncheon highlighted the academic and athletic contributions of this year's senior class of Cougar student-athletes.
The Pac-12 Conference Tom Hansen Conference Medal recipients are Liz Fournier (tennis) and Derek Jones (baseball). The conference medal winners are those who best reflect the greatest combination of performance and achievement in athletics, scholarship and leadership, as selected by the athletic director and senior administrative staff.
A dozen student-athletes were recognized for the Senior Excellence in Academics Award, given to seniors who have earned a minimum of 90 credits with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, been members of the WSU Athletics All-Academic Team each semester, enrolled at WSU for at least two years, and excelled in their degree program and sport program. This year's recipients are Jake Baertlein (track & field), Melissa Bogert (swimming), Jessie Craig (swimming), Ali Fenter (soccer), Liz Fournier (tennis), Jared Karstetter (football), Jay Matthews (football), Kyle McCartney (football), Tiara Pittman (soccer), Kasia Rademacher (rowing), Rosie Tarnowski (women's basketball) and Cassie Whitfield (track & field).
The Pac-12 Conference Postgraduate Scholarship recipients are Baertlein, Karstetter, Pittman and Tarnowski. The scholarships are awarded to two male and two female student-athletes at each Pac-12 school who have excelled academically and athletically and intend to pursue a graduate degree.
The Cougar Pride Academic Salute is awarded to one male and one female senior who has maintained over a 3.00 cumulative GPA and has displayed exceptional academic, athletic and outstanding personal qualities. This year's award winners are Karstetter and Fournier.
Rowing's Lisa Roman and football's Mike Ledgerwood were presented the Athletic Director's Star Performer Award, given to the male and female senior student-athlete who bests reflect a commitment to academic improvement leading to successful completion of their degree.
Two seniors were presented the Community Service and Leadership Award, given to those who have demonstrated strong citizenship skills and leadership qualities within their team and throughout the athletic department and community. This year, Liz England (rower) and Marshall Lobbestael (football) were recognized.
The Student-Athletic Advisory Committee True Cougar Award was presented to Charlie Enquist (men's basketball). The award is presented to a senior student-athlete who started their WSU careers as non-scholarship student-athletes, and who, to their respective teams, define leadership, commitment to excellence and Cougar Pride.
The Damien Ficek Athletic Training Award was presented to one male and female senior student-athlete who is humble, hard working in the training room and has overcome physical and/or other personal challenges to succeed at WSU. The award is presented in memory of former WSU athletic training student Damien Ficek, whose life came to an end in 2004 while serving his country in Iraq. This year's award winners are Karstetter and Fenter.
The Rob Oviatt Strength and Conditioning Award is presented to one male and one female senior student-athlete who possess a great commitment to training, are accountable to his/her workout, led by example and show an overall improvement in the weight room. Honoring the work ethic and training ideals of former WSU Director of Physical Development Rob Oviatt, this year's recipients are Lobbestael and Tarnowski.
Lobbestael and Tarnowski were named as recipients of the Beulah M. Blankenship Outstanding Student-Athlete Award, given to acknowledge personal achievements of a senior male and female student-athlete at WSU. The award recognizes contributions to the highest values of athletic expression by sportsmanship, dedication and positive regard for others.
The WSU Alumni Association Big Ten Senior Award recognizes the most qualified five men and five women, each representing a specific aspect of the college experience. The categories are: academics, athletics, campus involvement, community service and visual/performing arts. This year's recipients are Jones and Fournier.
