91短视频 hosted a virtual annual Athletic Honors Banquet on May 1.
Seniors (Broadway, Va./Eastern Mennonite) and (Daleville, Pa./James River) won the President鈥檚 Awards, the highest athletic award given out by 91短视频.
President Susan Schultz Huxman presented the awards, based on academic achievement, athletic contribution, Christian commitment, leadership, campus involvement and service.
All 42 of the senior student-athletes were honored as well. While the graduating seniors normally receive 91短视频 Alumni jackets in-person at a banquet, this year the jackets were mailed to each senior鈥檚 home.
Director of Athletics Communications James DeBoer hosted the show, with an opening word from Director of Athletics Dave King. Watch the entire Athletic Honors Show below.
President’s Awards
A four-year starter at goalie for the women鈥檚 soccer team, Wenger is the daughter of Delbert and Andrea Wenger. She held a 3.97 GPA with a double major of psychology and vocal performance. This year, Wenger was voted as the ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete for women鈥檚 soccer. She had 58 starts in 67 career games, and led the ODAC with 10 shutouts as a senior.
Wenger was extremely involved in other activities around campus and the community. She was a student representative for three 91短视频 committees and also served three years on the Student Government Association, including the last year as the co-president. She also sang with the Chambers Singers, University Choir and Emulate.
In reflecting on her collegiate experience, Wenger said, 鈥淲omen’s soccer at 91短视频 taught me patience, perseverance, and commitment. In my last few years, I took great joy in mentoring younger players, especially ones that did not necessarily 鈥榝it in鈥� to the larger team culture. This ability to mentor others through challenges and into success is something that will guide my career choices for the rest of my life.鈥�
Hall, the male recipient of the President鈥檚 Award, was a starting pitcher for the baseball team and the son of Jeremy and Aimee Hall. He held a 3.55 GPA as a recreational leadership and sports studies major. Hall was a weekend starter most of his career, drawing 35 starts in 40 appearances en route to a 5-18 record over his four years.
On campus, Hall was on the leadership team for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was a Community Advisor for 91短视频鈥檚 Residence Life his final three years. When school was not in session, he worked at numerous kids camps while playing in summer leagues in New York and Virginia.
鈥淎thletics has helped me in my academic experience as it has taught me self-discipline in managing schoolwork with baseball,鈥� Hall said of his time as a Royal student-athlete. 鈥淚t has helped me develop into a better leader by forcing me to become more vocal with the team and within group projects. Lastly, it has taught me how to communicate effectively with people both on the field and in the classroom, and I expect to continue to grow in my communication skills through coaching next year.鈥�
Athlete of the Year
The Athletic Department staff also voted for Athlete of the Year winners. Senior (Collinsville, Miss./West Lauderdale) claimed the women鈥檚 honor while sophomore (Broadway, Va./Broadway) was named the top male.
Shelly was the cross country team鈥檚 top runner and won an ODAC Runner of the Week award, but she really stood out for 91短视频鈥檚 new women鈥檚 triathlon program. She took on the new sport with intense training before her final collegiate year and was the team鈥檚 top finisher in each of her races. Shelly was eighth at the regional meet to earn a trip to nationals in Arizona, where she finished 13th among all D-III competitors. She was named CTCA Scholar All-American.
Alderfer was likewise the top runner for the men鈥檚 cross country team. He won the inaugural 91短视频 Mennonite Heritage Invitational was named the ODAC Runner of the Week. By indoor track & field season, Alderfer was routinely finishing in the top three of his races. He broke a 13-year-old program record in the indoor 800m with a time of 1:54.97, which earned him All-South/Southeast Region honors. Alderfer also was named All-ODAC Second Team and VaSID All-State Second Team in the 800m and with the distance medley relay team.
Freshman of the Year
(Culpeper Va./Eastern View) of field hockey and lacrosse was named the Female Freshman of the Year while (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) earned the Male Freshman of the Year award for his running with the cross country and track & field teams.
Tricarico was a constant offensive threat for the field hockey team with four goals and four assists. For the Royals鈥� brand new women鈥檚 lacrosse team, Tricarico became a leader. She notched team highs with seven goals, two assists and 16 shots, and also scored the first goal in program history.
Miller was a young standout runner, especially in the middle distances for track & field. He was a key piece of the distance medley relay team that earned the No. 4 time in 91短视频 history at 10:37.32. Miller earned All-ODAC Second team and VaSID All-State Second Team with the DMR.
Academic Achievement Awards
Dr. Matthew Siderhurst, Faculty Athletic Representative, presented the Academic Achievement Awards to each team鈥檚 individual junior or senior with the highest GPA.
Baseball: (Daleville, Va./James River) and (Orange, Va./The Covenant School),
Basketball: (Forestville, Md./Central) and (Broadway, Va./Broadway)
Men’s cross country and track and field: (Harrisonburg, Va./Turner Ashby)
Women’s cross country: (Bluffton, Ohio/Bluffton),
Field hockey: (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central)
Women’s golf: (Telford, Pa./Dock Mennonite Academy)
Soccer: (Partlow, Va./Spotsylvania) and (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone)
Softball: (Staunton, Va./Riverheads)
Women鈥檚 track and field: (Milford, Neb./Milford)
Triathlon: (Collinsville, Miss./West Lauderdale)
Volleyball: (Puerto Montt, Chile/German School Puerto Montt) and (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester).
Senior reflections
Senior reflections were offered by:
- (Baltimore, Md./Towson) from women鈥檚 soccer,
- (Williamsburg, Va./Menchville) from men鈥檚 track & field,
- (Partlow, Va./Spotsylvania) from men鈥檚 soccer, and
- (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) from field hockey.