APPLETON, Wis. -- Twelve Lawrence University student-athletes were recognized for their achievements at the 2008 Honors Celebration.
The awards and winners follow.
The Ruth Bateman Award is given for excellence in scholarship, athletic ability, and leadership by a woman athlete. Senior Catherine Marinac (St. Paul, Minn./Central) won for her strong academic performance and her dedication to softball, cross country, and soccer. Marinac was a two-time All-Midwest Conference performer in softball and won three letters in soccer and another in cross country. She is a six-time Academic All-Midwest Conference selection.
The Iden Charles Champion Cup is given for excellence in scholarship, athletic ability, college spirit, and loyalty. Senior Russell Geisthardt (Bloomer, Wis./Bloomer) was recognized for his strong academic performance and outstanding contributions to cross country and indoor and outdoor track.
The Arthur C. Denney Trophy is given to the track man who has outstanding team spirit and leadership and has socred the greatest number of points during the season. Senior Mike Pierquet (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest) won the award and competed in multiple throwing events for the Vikings. Pierquet holds the indoor school record in the weight throw and has the outdoor record in the hammer throw.
The Outstanding Freshman Athletic Award for Women is given to the freshman woman who has made the most outstanding contribution to Lawrence athletics. Sarah Ehlinger (Wauwatosa, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) was an All-Midwest Conference selection in women's soccer and a part-time starter for the women's basketball team.
The Oustanding Freshman Athletic Award for Men is given to the freshman male who has made the most outstanding contribution to Lawrence athletics. Kyle Gauthier (Brillion, Wis./Kaukauna) was one of only 10 freshmen named to the All-Midwest Conference football team. Gauthier, who played cornerback for the football team, also participated in outdoor track in the high jump and long jump.
The Ralph V. Landis Award was established by the Lettermen of Lawrence in honor of Dr. Landis, physician to Lawrence students from 1926-78, and is awarded for outstanding contributions to Lawrence athletics by a senior male athlete. The award was given to two athletes, Andy Hurley (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) and Josh Peterson (Duluth, Minn./Marshall). Hurley is a two-time All-Midwest Conference selection and led his team to three league championships. Peterson is only the second person in Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association history to be named to the all-conference team four times. He also is a four-time Academic All-MCHA selection and the first player in Lawrence history to play professional hockey.
The Letterwinner Award is presented by the L Club to those outstanding seniors who have earned eight or more letters. The winners are:
Laurel Benson (Appleton, Wis./East), soccer and indoor and outdoor track;
Russell Geisthardt (Bloomer, Wis./Bloomer), cross country and indoor and outdoor track;
Greg Haas (Yonkers, N.Y./Harvey), football and indoor and outdoor track;
Stephanie Kramer (Appleton, Wis./Menasha St. Mary Central), basketball and indoor and outdoor track;
Joy Manweiler (Princeton, Wis./Princeton), cross country and indoor and outdoor track;
Catherine Marinac (St. Paul, Minn./Central), cross country, soccer, and softball;
Doug McEneaney (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton Prep), soccer and baseball;
Kelly Mulcahy (Glendale, Wis./Nicolet), basketball and volleyball;
Mike Pierquet (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest), indoor and outdoor track;
Alice Shepro (Wayne, Ill./Wheaton Academy), cross country, swimming, and outdoor track;
Carrie Van Groll (Kaukauna, Wis./Little Chute), basketball and softball.
The Charles E. Pond Award for Men is given for all-around athletic ability by a senior man in two or more sports and for sportsmanship, school spirit, and scholarship. Doug McEneaney (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton Prep) was a starter for the Vikings in both men's soccer and baseball. He also served as a team captain.
The Pond Award for Women is given for all-around athletic ability by a senior woman in two or more sports and for sportsmanship, school spirit, and scholarship. Carrie Van Groll (Kaukauna, Wis./Little Chute) was an All-Midwest Conference selection in both women's basketball and softball. A guard on the basketball team and shortstop for the softball squad, Van Groll also was an Academic All-Midwest Conference selection and served as team captain for both squads.
The Marion Read Award is given for outstanding contributions to Lawrence athletics. Kelly Mulcahy (Glendale, Wis./Nicolet) was an All-Midwest Conference selection in both volleyball and women's basketball. A four-time all-conference selection in volleyball, Mulcahy is one of the most prolific volleyball players in Lawrence history. She also earned two all-conference selections as a basketball player.
Charting an uncommon course in higher education for more than 160 years, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It ranks among the nation's best small, private colleges, and was selected for inclusion in the book "Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College." The development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience, where classes or creative and research projects tailored to students' educational interests and life objectives are prevalent. Lawrence draws its 1,400 students from 43 states and 50 countries. Its picturesque, residential campus is nestled on the banks of the Fox River in Appleton, Wis. For more information about Lawrence University visit www.lawrence.edu.