April 30, 2007

CHICAGO - On the heels of a successful athletic season that saw its men's basketball team post its first 20-win season since 1984-85 and both soccer teams win Horizon League titles, Loyola University Chicago handed out its awards at its annual banquet yesterday at the Gentile Center. The banquet serves as a way to bring the Loyola athletic community together to pay tribute to the student-athletes and recognize both teams and individuals for their success over the past year.

Several specialty awards were also presented at the celebration. Men's basketball junior Tom Levin, who played a key role off the Loyola bench this season, was the recipient of the Donald B. Izban Award for the third consecutive season. The Izban Award is given annually to the men's basketball player with the highest grade-point average who, through his hard work, shows an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Seniors Brian Guntli (Men's Volleyball) and Emily Ponder (Women's Basketball) were honored with the 2006-07 Male and Female Director's Awards, given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA.

A list of award winners, by sport, is below.

Men's Basketball
Most Valuable Player: Blake Schilb
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Majak Kou
Coaches Award: J.R. Blount

Women's Basketball
Most Valuable Players: Marquise Hanser, Jenna Real (Co-winners)
Most Improved Player: Shannon Finnegan

Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Tom O'Hara Award: Sam Romanoski
Sean Earl Pheidippides Award: Shawn Lucas
George Crosby Award: Jimel Denham
Newcomer of the Year: Nick Herold
Scholar-Athlete Award: Tom Andreoni

Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Reva Bess Award: Marcia Faustin
Leigh Anne Renk Award: Amanda Domich
Excellence in Field Award: Marcia Faustin
Ad Majorum Dei Gloriem Award: Marcia Faustin
Scholar-Athlete Award: Rachel Hansen

Men's Golf
Player of the Year: Armando Favela
Newcomer of the Year: Thomas Greene
Coaches Award: Sean Bidzinski

Women's Golf
Most Valuable Player: Lucy McGovern
Most Improved Player: Michelle Puch
Leadership Award: Rachael Sinnen

Men's Soccer
Ad Majorum Dei Gloriem Award: Javier Lopez
Coaches Award: Steven Graner
Scholar-Athlete Award: Tim Baldes

Women's Soccer
Most Valuable Player: Emily Peick
Newcomers of the Year: Casey Berrier, Cynthia Morote-Ariza (Co-winners)
Kim Noonan Award: Amanda Ward

Softball
Most Valuable Player: Katerina Krause
Most Improved Player: Krista Crosson
Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Ashley Mitchell

Men's Volleyball
Most Valuable Players: James Grunst, Brian Guntli (Co-winners)
Most Improved Players: Derek Jensen, Nick Lamoureux (Co-winners)

Women's Volleyball
Julie McShane Award: Courtney Ashley
Therese Boyle Award: Dana VanDiggelen
Most Improved Players: Ann Deelo, Sarah Elmer (Co-winners)

Spirit Teams - Coed Cheerleaders
Most Collegiate Award: Jill Terry
Rambler Spirit Award: Emily Opalka
Most Improved Award: Drew Wieland

Spirit Teams - Dance
Best Performer Award: Christine DelPriore
Most Collegiate Award: Kristin Ludden
Most Improved Award: Jackie Courtney