Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Senior Athletes Honored at 44th Annual Awards Dinner
5/3/2005 8:00:00 AM | General
May 3, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - In one of the highlights of the athletics season at Bucknell University, 19 outstanding senior athletes were given awards at the 44th Annual Department of Athletics & Recreation Senior Recognition Dinner, held Tuesday evening in Sojka Pavilion.
The outstanding careers of some 118 senior athletes were honored at the dinner, which is sponsored by the Bison Club.
Meg Blitzer (Durham, N.H./Phillips Academy) and Chris Cara (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford), the all-time leading scorers in the history of the Bucknell women's water polo and men's lacrosse teams, respectively, walked off with the evening's top honor, the Christy Mathewson Award, which goes to the outstanding male and female senior athletes.
Blitzer smashed the Bucknell career record for goals and points during her four-year career. She wrapped up her stellar tenure with 198 goals and 84 assists for 282 points, and she ranks third on Bucknell's career assists chart. A member of the Collegiate Water Polo Association all-conference first team in 2004 when she scored a school-record 66 goals, Blitzer was recently named to the Eastern Championships All-Tournament Team. She scored 66 goals again this season to tie her own record, and her 92 points in 2005 was just one shy of the Bucknell standard. She also broke the school record for steals in a career with 199.
With 249 points, Cara is the all-time leading scorer in Bucknell and Patriot League history. He was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season in 2005, and last week he was named as one of 16 nominees for the Tewaaraton Trophy, given to the college lacrosse player of the year.
An Honorable Mention All-America selection in 2004, Cara has helped lead the Bison to an 8-5 record and a No. 14 national ranking this season. Bucknell, which has a victory over then-No. 2 Navy in its portfolio, is a strong candidate for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. The 16-team field will be announced on Sunday.
Christy Mathewson Award winner Meg Blizter, the all-time leading scorer in Bucknell women's water polo history.  |
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Elsewhere, First-Team All-Patriot League quarterback Daris Wilson (Kenner, La./Archbishop Rummel) and All-Patriot League swimming standout Jackie Feinthel (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) were given the Bison Club Award, presented to the senior athletes who best exemplify the winning spirit of the University's athletic program.
The Alvin F. Jackson Award, presented for outstanding academic and athletic achievement, and future promise as Bucknell alumni, went to men's soccer's Jonathan Hemmert (Bridgeton, N.J./St. Marks), a two-time national CoSIDA Academic All-American, and women's cross country and track and field standout Katie Pfeifer (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville).
Two-time All-Patriot League linebacker Kevin Ransome (Bear, Del./Christiana) and Patriot League champion and record-setting breaststroker Jamie Flick (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) copped the Lee S. "Bud" Ranck Memorial Award, presented for outstanding spirit and contributions to the Bucknell athletic program.
The Bradley N. Tufts Award went to Patriot League Men's Soccer Defensive MVP Michael Lookingland (Fallston, Md./Loyola) and Patriot League women's long jump and sprint champion Tolu Fayanjuola (Providence, R.I./Classical). The Tufts Award is given in recognition of exceptional athletic achievement and contribution to Bucknell athletics.
The Robert A. Latour Service Award, presented for extraordinary service to Bucknell and local communities, went to men's lacrosse's Ryan Goodman (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Dwight Englewood) and women's water polo's Cody Keffer (Berkeley, Calif./Berkeley).
Jennifer Marsh (Clearfield, Pa.), a standout performer in both cross country and track & field and the school record-holder in the 1,000-meter run, captured the Margaret L. Bryan Award, presented to a female athlete for outstanding achievement in more than one varsity sport. Dan Lounsbury (Melrose, Mass./Melrose) won the Albert E. Humphreys Award, presented to a male athlete for outstanding achievement in more than one sport. Lounsbury earned All-Patriot League honors in cross country in 2003. .
The Edward W. Pangburn Award, presented for sportsmanship, fellowship and contribution to the University, went to two-time All-Patriot League volleyball player Jackie Leahy (Plainview, N.Y./Bethpage) and popular student athletic trainer Curtis Bolig (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield).
Men's basketball's Chris Niesz (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) and women's tennis conference player of the year Nada Curcic (Belgrade, Serbia/3rd Belgrade) earned the Ronald J. "Pete" Pedrick Award, presented in recognition of demonstrated improvement and special contributions to Bucknell athletics over a four-year period.
The first-ever recipient of the `Ray Bucknell Diversity Award was football receiver Nisan Trotter (Silverhill, Ala./Robertsdale), who is a leader in the Bucknell Christian Community.
In addition to the student-athlete awards, two alumni and one staff member received special awards. Gil Villanueva, a veteran member of the Bucknell Office of Admissions, received the ECAC Appreciation Award, which is presented to students, faculty, staff or friends of Bucknell for extraordinary contribution to the Bucknell department of athletics.
Jen Yuengling-Franquet '93 and Lorry Hathaway `65 were presented Alumni Athlete Achievement Awards, given to former Bucknell athletes who have achieved success in their chosen profession. Yuengling-Franquet was one of the all-time great catchers on the Bucknell softball team and is now plant coordinator of two Yuengling Breweries in Pottsville. Hathaway was the leading scorer and rebounder on the Bison basketball team and graduated as the career record-holder in both categories. He is a leading executive in the food services industry.
Bucknell Senior Athletic Awards Summary
ECAC Appreciation Award: Gil Villanueva, Office of Admissions.
Alumni Athlete Achievement Award: Jen Yuengling-Franquet (softball), Lorry Hathaway (basketball, track and field).
`Ray Bucknell Diversity Award: Nisan Trotter (football).
Ronald J. "Pete" Pedrick Award: Chris Niesz (basketball), Nada Curcic (tennis).
Edward W. Pangburn Award: Curtis Bolig (athletic training), Jackie Leahy (volleyball).
Margaret L. Bryan Award: Jennifer Marsh (cross country, track & field).
Albert E. Humphreys Award: Dan Lounsbury (cross country, track & field).
Robert A. Latour Service Award: Ryan Goodman (lacrosse), Cody Keffer (water polo).
Bradley N. Tufts Award: Michael Lookingland (soccer), Tolu Fayanjuola (track & field).
Lee S. "Bud" Ranck Memorial Award: Kevin Ransome (football), Jamie Flick (swimming & diving).
Alvin F. Jackson Jr. Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award: Jonathan Hemmert (soccer), Katie Pfeifer (cross country, track & field).
Bison Club Award: Daris Wilson (football), Jackie Feinthel (swimming & diving).
Christy Mathewson Award: Chris Cara (lacrosse), Meg Blitzer (water polo).
