Today the Principia College awards ceremony took place at Cox Auditorium. Several students received awards across many fields of study and extra-curricular activities. The Principia College Athletic Department at this time gave out the Senior Athlete Awards to six deserving candidates. The athletic department has three awards that they give out each year to deserving student-athletes. First, there is the Howard L. Mitchell Athletic Award which is bestowed on a senior athlete or athletes. This award recognizes the highest standard of achievement in Principia's intercollegiate athletic program. Second, there is the Corde and Willard Hanzlik Athletic Award which is presented to a senior athlete or athletes. It recognizes significant overall contribution to Principia's intercollegiate athletic program. Lastly, there is Charles F. Buckwalter award, which is given to the senior student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA out of all the senior athletes.
The Howard L. Mitchell Athletic Award is given first, starting with the female recipient. This year's female recipient was Paige Cooley. Paige is a consummate competitor and brings her top game to every competition. She leads by example on the court and in practices. In her three years on the Principia College Women's Tennis team, she has never lost a SLIAC singles or doubles match. Paige has also been awarded the SLIAC Player of the Year each year she participated, and also earned the SLIAC Newcomer of the Year award her freshman year. Over her collegiate career, Paige has had 3 Golden Sets-which means she did not lose any points, or make any mistakes for an entire set. Paige finished her senior year ranked #17 in the Central Region. However, what makes Paige even more amazing is her discipline across the board- she has been the student body president, a reader at CSO, a leader on the PAC board and also earned her engineering degree (a 5 year program) in 4 years.
The male recipient of the Howard L. Mitchell Athletic Award was Micah Paulson. Micah is arguably the best Principia Basketball player since moving to Division 3. He has changed the entire program with his skill and work ethic. Micah finished his career as the record holder for Principia College in Career Points, as the SLIAC Player of the Year, and with All-District and All-Region awards as well. Micah's name is in many categories for the Principia All-Time Top 10 list and season records as well as on the NCAA statistics page for minutes per game and points per game. But what set Micah apart from the rest was his dedication to the game, to his team and to giving his all in each and every moment of the game.
The next award is the Corde and Willard Hanzlik Athletic Award, which is also presented to a senior athlete or athletes. The first female recipient is Madi Arens. As a four-year starter on the Principia College Women's Soccer team, Madi was a huge contributor as the team's center midfielder. This position requires a player to be physically fit, technically sound, and tactically savvy because they are involved in most of the action and dictate the flow of the game. Madi's play completely fit the center midfielder criteria. Despite the fact that soccer defenders do not acquire many stats, Madi was chosen for the SLIAC 2
nd Team All-Conference each of her four years. She was always the player you could count on to walk the talk. She gave her all in every game no matter what was happening on the scoreboard. She was an example for her teammates as to what hard work and grit looked like. Madi was the team captain her junior and senior years and she also received SLIAC Academic All-Conference honors for all three years she was eligible for the award!
The second female Corde and William Hanzlik Athletic Award recipient is Leah Schaefer. Leah loves the game of softball and has brought that passion to every game throughout her career. She plays aggressively but isn't arrogant or antagonistic. She isn't afraid to challenge her teammates but is often the first one to encourage and recognize her teammates. Leah is a complete player, she isn't just a Pitcher. She has played in the outfield, 3
rd base, 2
nd base and 1
st base in her career. As a Pitcher, Leah is a workhorse and has pitched a lot more innings than anyone else in SLIAC. She holds several Principia Softball career records as a Pitcher including: most wins in a career, most games started in a career, most innings pitched, and most strikeouts. Many Pitchers do not hit for themselves but Leah does and she has been one of Principia's best hitters ever since she arrived. She holds several Principia Softball career records as a Hitter including: most hits in a career, most RBI's, most doubles, and most triples.
The male recipient of the Corde and Willard Hanzlik Athletic Award is David McLeod Warrick. David is one of the most selfless players that the Principia College Men's Soccer program has had for a long time. He has been willing to play anywhere that he has been needed. As a teammate, he is always looking for ways to help and support every guy on the team. He is a good listener and communicator. David also actively uses prayer in his life and often shares healings with the team. He leads by example metaphysically and physically- he was a direct influence on the team's off-season training attitude and helped them reach an 85% passing rate for the fitness test- up from 50% the previous year. Despite the fact that soccer defenders don't generate many stats, David has been an integral part of the men's soccer team and a starter for the past three seasons. He has played every position on the field, and finished his last two years as a left back and a goalkeeper.
This year's recipient of the Charles F. Buckwalter award, with the highest cumulative GPA of all senior athletes is Jeffrey Todd Ross. Jeff is the consummate student-athlete. A four-year basketball and baseball athlete and a triple major speak to this fact. Earning the highest cumulative GPA of all four-year student-athletes is IMPRESSIVE! On top of that, he can slam dunk a basketball with two hands, and hit a baseball out of Cardinals Stadium. Jeff has been a humble and dedicated contributor to both our basketball and baseball teams each of his four years of play. He is a great example of a Principia athlete and scholar. Jeff is truly a special young man whose determination will no doubt set him up for success in the working world.
Congratulations to each of the senior athlete award winners- you are all very deserving of the recognition!
