May 7, 2007

Awards Photo Gallery

GREELEY, Colo. - With its 2006-07 athletic year winding down, the University of Northern Colorado Department of Athletics hosted its Student-Athlete Awards Celebration on Thursday, May 3.

In the first award of the evening, Kristen Schevikhoven and Tony Mustari were named Freshman Athletes of the Year.

With Athletic Director Jay Hinrichs presenting, Tobias Guzman (campus) and Dr. Gilbert Anderson (community) were honored with Making an Impact Awards, recognizing their impact on the success and and development of the school's athletics program.

Karen Groll and Thanasi Panagiotakopoulos were given the Sportsmanship Awards for their respective seasons, while Kati Falger and Jahir Waterman were each honored with a Bears Giving Back Award, given to those student-athletes who have gone about and beyond their normal duties as student-athletes with their commitment to community service.

The Bear Down Award is given to the student-athletes who have been an inspiration to teammates and the athletics department as a whole. Jenny Henderson and Michael Trahan won the awards.

Nikki Plunkard and Aaron Henderson were given the Break Through Awards, for demonstrating the most improvement during their respective careers at Northern Colorado.

The All-Bear Team Awards recognize the female and male student-athletes who have demonstrated high academic achievement, exceptional leadership qualities, preseason, postseason, conference or all-independent honors and outstanding individual statistics. Winners were: Abby Mayne, Marika Johnson, Jenny Henderson, Kelsey Dumler, Jahir Waterman, Reece Hopkin and Kirk Archibeque.

The CHAMPS/Life Skills Team Award was given to the football team, who "showed the most dedication to the overall development of their student-athletes during the academic year."

In the final award of the evening, Nan Liu and Kenny Hashimoto were named as Outstanding Athletes of the Year. In her freshman season, Liu rewrote the record book for the swimming program, regularly breaking records - often times her own - and leading the swimming team to a successful season.

Hashimoto was ranked as high as 9th nationally this year for the wrestling team, and led the Bears into the postseason by grabbing the No. 9 seed in the 2007 NCAA Division I National Championships, held in mid-March.