Muskingum announces its annual Athletic Department Award honorees and Golden Hook Award Winners
Muskingum has announced its annual Athletic Department Award honorees and Golden Hook Award Winners.
Muskingum has announced its annual Athletic Department Award honorees and Golden Hook Award Winners.
Senior women's basketball guard Kenzie Bicking, senior men's basketball forward Ethan Taylor, senior men's basketball guard Alex Coffey, senior men's basketball guard Shane Knepp, senior women's soccer goalie Jennafer Roberts, senior cross country and track athlete Kyra Kiessling, senior football wide receiver Bradley Styranec, senior baseball outfielder Noah Blecha, senior baseball infielder Gerard Hudson, senior men's golfer Keegan Windle, senior men's lacrosse midfielder Scott Van Iderstine, senior archer Brandon Miller, and senior STUNT athlete Taylor Wolford were all honored with the Greg Riggar Dedicated to Sport Award. The award is bestowed upon senior student-athletes at Muskingum who show excellence in associated areas of dedication to sport, leadership, and practice habits. The athlete must have participated for all four years of his/her collegiate career, be held in high esteem by his/her fellow teammates, and exhibit the qualities of loyalty and discipline.
Senior women's lacrosse defender Kennedy Norch and sophomore track & field athlete and football tight end Thomas Christman were honored with the Ann White and Roy "Red" Turner Strive for Excellence Awards. The award is designed for those who are willing to go the extra mile - overcoming injuries or obstacles to participate; or assisting the other athletes and helping them along in the program; or providing outstanding example and leadership; or putting in whatever time and effort is required to achieve a given task.
Women's lacrosse senior midfielder Riley Hudock and baseball junior second baseman Sam Palmieri were honored with the Donna J. Newberry Pursuit of Perfection Award. The "Pursuit of Perfection Award" is awarded annually to honor a female and male student-athlete who leads on and off the court or field with a high set of standards that translate to a valuable asset on the playing field/court and in the classroom – ultimately being the most valuable student-athlete on campus.
Freshman archery athlete Kelly Hawvermale and freshman baseball pitcher Jake Valentine were presented with the William F. Lang Outstanding Freshmen Awards.
Senior women's lacrosse midfielder Riley Hudock was recognized as the Barbara Steiner Outstanding Senior Female Athlete, while senior baseball outfielder Tobie Teke was acknowledged as the William G. Moore Outstanding Senior Male Athlete.
Women's lacrosse senior midfielder Riley Hudock and track senior athlete Colton Whyte were honored with the Ohio Athletic Conference Clyde Lamb Award. Criteria for the award include student-athletes' having performed with distinction as a member of a varsity sport by earning two or more varsity letter awards in one or more sports at an OAC institution. The award winners must have conducted himself or herself, on and off the field, in a manner that has brought credit to the student, the institution, intercollegiate athletics, and the ideals and objectives of American Higher Education
The Muskingum Student-Athlete Advisory Committee also presented Golden Hook Awards to numerous student-athletes and teams for outstanding achievements in competition and the classroom.
Senior male archer Wes Ellsworth was presented the Golden Hook Breakthrough Male Athlete of the Year Award. Ellsworth finished first at the second-largest indoor tournament in the world and placed second at the largest tournament in the world in Las Vegas.
Freshman female archer Kelly Hawvermale was presented the Golden Hook Breakthrough Female Athlete of the Year Award. Hawvermale won a National Championship, Regional Championship, and notched six first-place finishes, two 2nd-place finishes, and one 3rd-place finish at numerous events.
The Golden Hook Spark Plug Award was presented to senior baseball student manager James Dickson. Dickson is an integral part of the baseball program and brings an unmatched love for baseball and energy.
Men's basketball junior guard Duane Davis was presented the Golden Hook for Biggest Hit. Davis ignited the Steele Center with a highlight-reel dunk against Wilmington.
Baseball senior outfielder Tobie Teke was awarded the Best Leg Golden Hook Award. Teke leads the Ohio Athletic Conference with 35 stolen bases.
The men's basketball duo of sophomore guard Owen Emig and junior guard Duane Davis was presented the Golden Hook for Best Male Duo. They were named All-OAC and were the top two scorers for the Muskies, accounting for 42% of the points scored in each game. Their play led the Muskies to a fourth-place finish in the OAC and the OAC Tournament.
The women's bowling duo of senior Kelsey Wilson and Hailey Yingst was presented the Golden Hook for Best Female Duo. Combined, Wilson and Yingst are the two seniors from one class who have the most pins in school history, over 66,000 pins, and helped lead the Muskies to the Ohio Bowling Conference Championship.
The Muskingum men's basketball team won the Golden Hook for Best Male Win. The Muskies beat Otterbein in the opening game of the OAC Tournament in front of an electric Steele Center crowd, 71-59.
The Muskingum volleyball team won the Golden Hook for Best Female Win. The Muskies spiked 15th-ranked Case Western, 3-2 (25-20, 23-25, 19-25, 28-26, 15-8).
Sophomore men's track & field athlete Will Jackson won the Golden Hook Award for Male Hands of Gold. Jackson set school records in the weight throw and the hammer throw.
Softball junior outfielder Cara Taylor won the Golden Hook Award for Female Hands of Gold. Taylor yields a perfect fielding percentage with many highlight-reel catches.
Sophomore men's basketball guard Owen Emig was presented the Golden Hook Award for Best Male Single-Game Performance. Emig scored 26 points, including hitting six three-point shots, to help lead Muskingum past Otterbein in the OAC Tournament.
Freshman archer Kelly Hawvermale was presented the Golden Hook Award for Best Female Single-Game Performance. Hawvermale became archery's first-ever National Champion at the 3D National Tournament in Foley, Alabama.
Senior men's basketball guard Zaveon Croff was presented the Golden Hook Award for Comeback Athlete of the Year. Croff missed most of the 2023-24 season due to injury and returned this year and played in all 27 games with 22 starts, averaging 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
The Muskingum men's basketball team was honored with the Outstanding Team of the Year Golden Hook Award. The Muskies were picked to finish last in the OAC Preseason Poll and challenged for an OAC Championship. They finished fourth in the league and advanced to the OAC Tournament Semifinals. It marked the first time Muskingum has finished in the top four in the league since the 2005-06 campaign.
The Muskingum baseball and volleyball teams were presented with the Team Impact Golden Hook Awards. The award recognizes a team's impact on Muskingum athletic events and community involvement.
After raising the most donations during the annual food drive, the Muskingum STUNT team was crowned Hoops for Hunger Champion.
The Muskingum women's cross country and baseball teams received the department's highest GPA awards for the fall semester.
SAAC Golden Hook Awards
