PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The female and male athletes of the year were announced at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s annual athletic awards banquet May 3. Carla Halvorson of the women’s soccer team and Connor Hrynuk of the Nordic ski team came away with the prestigious honors.
Halvorson, a senior from Easton, enjoyed a spectacular soccer season with the Owls. She led the team in goals (13) and points (29), and was tied for second in assists (3). She had two game-winning goals during the season and received USCAA player of the week honors, AD3I player of the week honors and AD3I student-athlete of the month honors, while being selected to the AD3I first team and as a USCAA honorable mention selection.
Hrynuk, a sophomore from Boonville, New York, turned in a remarkable season on skis this past winter, which was highlighted by his third-place finish at the Eastern Collegiate Championships. It was the first podium finish in history of the UMPI ski program. That same event serves as the Maine Collegiate Championships, making Hrynuk the top skier in the state.
Several other special awards were handed out. The annual Al Arman “make a difference” award is presented to the student-athletes or students who truly have made a difference within athletics and the campus community. This year’s male recipient is Saul Nunez, a junior from Mapleton who is a member of both the cross country and baseball teams. The co-female recipients are Abigail Deveau, a sophomore from North Anson who plays on the soccer team, and Sara Packard, a junior from St. Albans who plays on the softball team.
The Stanley H. Small coaches award, which is presented to either a junior or senior who has shown exemplary dedication to the athletic program during their years at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, went to Nicolas Lenhard, a senior from Falcon, Colorado, and member of the men’s basketball team.
The Ruel Parks award is presented in memory of the former assistant women’s basketball coach and goes to a women’s basketball player who is a passionate player who may not always be the star, but is very dedicated to her team, has a passion for the sport and is essential to team chemistry. Emilia Churchill, a freshman from Washburn, is this year’s recipient.
The Donald N. Zillman character award honors a student-athlete who, through their actions in the competitive arena of intercollegiate athletics, has demonstrated one or more of the ideals of character development through sportsmanship, including fairness, civility, honesty, unselfishness, respect and responsibility. The recipient promotes and enhances the integrity of higher education and civility in society. This year’s recipient is men’s cross country runner Sully Jackson, a senior from Wilton.
The Nordic women’s ski team received the Royal Goheen award, which is given to the team with the highest grade point average. The volleyball team is this year’s recipient of the Sharon Roix award, which goes to the team with the most improved grade point average.
Team awards were presented as follows:
Men’s cross country: Rookie of the year, Jacob Welch; most inspirational, Cameron Mathies; and runner of the year, Jackson.
Women’s cross country: Rookie of the year, Brianna Lesperance; most inspirational, Elise Gudde; and runner of the year, Lesperance.
Men’s soccer: Rookie of the year, Mathew Curtis; most inspirational, Michael Guerrette; and most valuable player, Derek Healy.
Women’s soccer: Rookie of the year, Laura Sturgeon; most inspirational, Kendra Gregarczyk; and most valuable player, Halvorson.
Women’s volleyball: Rookie of the year, Laura Aroz; most inspirational, Hannah Williams; and most valuable player, Abigail Jewett.
Men’s basketball: Most inspirational: Anthony Chacho; and captain’s award, Lenhard and Jordan Cook.
Women’s basketball: Rookie of the year: Churchill; most valuable player: Amanda Hotham; and coach’s award: Teagan Laweryson.
Men’s nordic skiing: Rookie of the year: Jason Bartley; most inspirational, John Paluszek; and most valuable skier, Hrynuk.
Women’s nordic skiing: most valuable skier: Lydia Streinz.
Baseball: Co-rookies of the year. Martin Egan and William Stinson; most inspirational, Matt Cauchon; and most valuable player, Ryan Sanderson.
Women’s softball: Rookie of the year: Ariel Williams; most inspirational: Alissa Edwards; and coach’s award: Edwards and Packard.
