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BYU Cougar Club Honors 13 Athletes at Annual Awards Banquet
April 3, 2003 PROVO, Utah - Recipients of the 2003 BYU Athletic Awards were honored Wednesday by the Cougar Club at its annual awards banquet. Longtime BYU women's tennis coach Ann Valentine, currently women's associate athletics director, was the 2003 recipient of the Dale Rex Award. Since 1947, the Dale Rex Award has been given annually to the person who has done the most to promote amateur athletics in the state of Utah. Included in those honored were basketball standouts Erin Thorn and Travis Hansen. Both were recipients of the 2003 Crowd Pleaser Award. In all, 13 BYU student-athletes were recognized for their athletic and academic excellence as well as their service to the community. Student-athletes honored included:
Brooke Cadiente - Softball - Competitor Award "The recipients of these awards are among the finest student-athletes in the country," said BYU men's athletics director Val Hale. "Their individual and team accomplishments on and off the field have brought a great deal of respect and recognition to the University." Two BYU athletic programs were also honored by the Cougar Club as the men's and women's teams of the year. Established in 1993, the Athletic Team of the Year Award honors the academic and athletic accomplishments of BYU student-athletes and their coaches. For the second year in a row, the women's team of the year was awarded to the National Champion Cross Country team. Led by Patrick Shane, the Cougars have placed either first or second in the nation in each of the past six seasons. At the 2002 National Championships, the Cougars defended the 2001 National Championship, giving BYU four national titles in the past six seasons. Coaches of the 2002 women's cross country team include Patrick Shane, Craig Poole and Richard Legas. Team members include Kassi Andersen, Lisa Antonelli, Maren Asey, Amy Bair, Kristy Barrus, Angela Benson, Jaime Cottle, Ann Heiner, Nan Kennard, Jessie Kindschi, Suzanna Larsen, Michaela Mannova, Emily Mars, Katie Martin, Katie Moon, Kristen Ogden, Shalice Pugmire, Tiffany Rust, Breanne Sandberg, Anika Smith, Ember Smith, Angela Taylor, Lindsey Thomsen, Laura Turner, Jami Valentine and Rena Williams. Other who work with the team include Doug Padilla (administrative assistant), Dr. Ron Chamberlain (sports psychologist), Kevin Morris (trainer) and Danielle Matthews (manager), Ann Haymond (department secretary) and Johny Wudel (media relations). The men's team of the year is swimming and diving. Led by 2002 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year, Tim Powers, the men's swimming and diving team won its third straight MWC Championship and went on to place 23rd at the NCAAs. Coaches of the 2002 men's swimming team include Tim Powers, Keith Russell and Rob Morris. Team members include Zach Anderson, Justin Beardall, James Bekker, Randy Belliston, William Betz, Kenny Carpenter, John Ferrell, Grant Hasselbach, Christopher Johnson, Levi Larsen, Terrence Lim, John Malfatt, Jeffrey Mason, Michael Mullen, Brent Parker, Travis Price, Scott Randall, Aaron Russell, Austin Scott, Brian Sorensen, Terry Thompson, Landon Trost, Adam Ware and Diogo Yabe. Other who assist the team include include Blain Empey (trainer) and Jason Wells (media relations). "The Annual Awards Banquet is a celebration of all that our teams and coaches have accomplished," said Cougar Club Executive Director Michael Middleton. "Just looking at the achievements of this year's award winners is an indication of the quality of BYU's athletic program and the direction that it's heading. The Cougar Club is proud to support the success of such outstanding student-athletes and coaches." |
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