Washington State University Athletics
Cougar Senior Student-Athletes Honored
May 3, 2013
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University Athletics honored its senior student-athletes at the 31st Annual Senior Recognition Luncheon Friday afternoon at Bohler Gym.
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 Liudmila Vasilieva (tennis) and Adam Nelubowich (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.
Sixteen 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 Ariana Byrd (soccer), Maria Cameron (soccer), Katie Dick (rowing), Justin Englund (men's track and field), Carly Fitzpatrick (women's track and field), Megan Garrity (soccer), Brianne Gould (rowing), Katie Grad (women's basketball), Andjela Kankaras (tennis), Ashley Kenney (women's track and field), Andrei Lintz (football), Shelbi Luchini (swimming), Shannon McFadden (soccer), Carly Noyes (women's basketball) and Erin Ranney (rowing).
The Pac-12 Conference Postgraduate Scholarship recipients are Darren Markle (football), Lintz, Dick and Kankaras. 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 Nelubowich and Cameron.
Dana Wells and Shawna Fermin, both members of WSU's track and field teams, 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.
Four 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, Hank Frame (men's golf), Kenney, Alison Smith (rowing) and Erin Troedson (tennis) were recognized.
The Student-Athletic Advisory Committee True Cougar Award was presented to Mike Ladd (men's basketball) and Kelsey Bruggman (swimming). The award is presented to a senior student-athlete who started his/her WSU career 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 Jeff Tuel (football) and Grad.
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 Shawn Swartz (men's track and field) and Jenna Bekker (swimming).
Lintz and Kankaras 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 Nelubowich and Vasilieva for athletics, while Troedson was the campus involvement recipient.
