Willamette Announces Winners from 2019 Bearcat Awards Show
By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- The 2019 Bearcat Awards Show was held on Monday, May 6 at Hudson Concert Hall in the Rogers Music Center. The event honored achievements by the Willamette University Bearcats during the 2018-19 athletic year. Awards were presented to the top athletes and first year players, as well as to those with outstanding moments, great individual performances, exceptional community service, and academic success.
The presentation of the J.H. Booth Award and the Jean Williams Award concluded the evening. Other top honors included the Julie Abendroth, Ed.D. Professor of the Year Award, Alumnus of the Year Award, and Sue J. Rauch Distinguished Service to Athletics Award. Members of Willamette's inuagural induction class in the Chi Alpha Sigma honorary society were recognized.
J.H. Booth Award
Presented annually to the senior men's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism.
Keith Carlson (Sr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) from the men's cross country and men's track and field teams was chosen as one of the winners of the J.H. Booth Award.
Jordan Jenkins (Sr., F, Placentia, CA/Valencia HS) from the men's basketball team also was chosen as a winner of the J.H. Booth Award.
Other Finalists: Connor Bailey, baseball; Matt Steindorf, baseball
Jean Williams Award
The Jean Williams Award is presented annually to the senior women's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism.
Kiley Lin (Sr., Palo Alto, CA/Henry M. Gunn HS) from the women's swimming team was chosen to receive the Jean Williams Award.
Other Finalists: Hazel Carr, cross country, track and field; Emily Evans, cross country, track and field; Britanny Kochenderfer, basketball.
Men's Athlete of the Year
Awarded to a men's student-athlete based on their yearly stats and athletic accolades.
Connor Bailey (Sr., CF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) from the baseball team was selected as the winner.
Finalists: Max Berner-Hays, soccer; Keith Carlson, cross country/track and field; Jordan Jenkins, basketball
Women's Athlete of the Year
Awarded to a women's student-athlete based on the their yearly stats and athletic accolades.
Britanny Kochenderfer (Sr., G, Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS/Idaho State Univ.) from the women's basketball team was named the winner.
Other Finalists: Hope Deunas, track and field; Shanna Keil, soccer; Jennifer Lane, volleyball
Men's Individual Performance of the Year
Awarded to a men's student-athlete for an exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.
Keith Carlson (Sr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) from the men's cross country team was chosen the winner.
Other Finalists: Derek Ludwig, swimming, at NWC Championships (Feb. 9); Michael Montague, track and field, at NWC Championships (April 26-17); Justin Scanlon, baseball, versus George Fox (April 13-14)
Women's Individual Performance of the Year
Awarded to a women's student-athlete for an exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.
Anabel Ohsman (So., ATT, Shohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) from the women's lacrosse team was selected as the winner.
Other Finalists: Emily Evans, cross country, at NWC Championships (Oct. 27); Britanny Kochenderfer, basketball, versus Lewis & Clark (Feb. 16); Jennifer Lane, volleyball, versus George Fox (Nov. 3)
Men's Individual Service Award
Awarded to a men's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus -- Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.
Tyler Janitz (Sr., SS, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) from the baseball team received the award.
Other Men's Finalists: Trent Callan, basketball; Colin Fisher, tennis; Nick Leibman, swimming
Women's Individual Service Award
Awarded to a women's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus -- Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.
Morgan Webster (Sr., S/DS, Milwaukie, OR/Milwaukie HS) from the volleyball team received the award.
Other Women's Finalist: Kea Gier, softball; Reanna Lancaster, softball; Alex Stacy, track and field
Men's Bearcat Spirit
Awarded to a men's student-athlete who has embodied the experience of being a Willamette Bearcat. They display Bearcat pride and support for their own team, other programs and the Athletics Department.
Kyle Martz (So., DB, Salem, OR/ South Salem HS) from the football team was selected to receive the award.
Other Finalists: Carson Herrick, cross country, track and field; Kyle Paguio, baseball; Kyle Peterson, basketball
Women's Bearcat Spirit
Awarded to a women's student-athlete who has embodied the experience of being a Willamette Bearcat. They display Bearcat pride and support for their own team, other programs and the Athletics Department.
Kali Vickery (Sr., G, Glide, OR/Glide HS) from the women's basketball team was named the winner.
Other Finalists: Nina Hernandez, volleyball, women's lacrosse; Avery Mickelsen, track and field, basketball; Risa Shutz, cross country, track and field
Men's Moment of the Year
Awarded to the men's team or individual with the most memorable moment of the year. The moment centers around a point in a competition or a season that leaves an impact when you look back and reflect on the athletic year.
The men's basketball team received the award for its 95-93 victory over #5-ranked Whitworth University on Jan. 26.
Other Finalists: Daniel Fang, BenBritz, Alexander Hougan, Derek Ludwig, swimning, at NWC Championships (Feb. 7); Keith Carlson and Michael Montague, cross country, at NWC Championships (Oct. 27); Golf team, at NWC Tournament (April 27-28)
Women's Moment of the Year
Awarded to the women's team or individual with the most memorable moment of the year. The moment centers around a point in a competition or a season that leaves an impact when you look back and reflect on the athletic year.
The women's cross country team was chosen for the award as a result of the team winning the NWC Championship.
Other Finalists: Jenae Arnold, soccer, versus Lewis & Clark (Sept. 15); Drew Farmer, basketball, versus Puget Sound (Feb. 9); Miranda Piros, lacrosse, versus Johnson & Wales (Feb. 24)
Men's Rookie of the Year
Awarded to a men's first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.
Austin Davis (Fr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) from the men's golf team was chosen for the award.
Other Finalists: Preston Doyle, football; Andrew Kabacy, tennis; Jonathan Watts, basketball
Women's Rookie of the Year
Awarded to a womens' first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.
Emma Canchola (Fr., DEF, Oregon City OR/Oregon City HS) from the women's lacrosse team was chosen as the winner.
Other Finalists: Payten Healy, softball; Natalie Klotz, volleyball; Adrian Schnee, track and field
Academic Teams of the Year
Awarded to the men's and women's teams who attained the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester.
Men's Award -- The men's cross country team received the award.
Other Men's Finalists: Basketball, Swimming, Tennis
Women's Award -- The women's soccer team received the award.
Other Women's Finalists: Cross Country, Lacrosse, Track and Field
Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards
Awarded to a men's and women's student-athlete who excels through the rigors of academics and athletics at Willamette. The men's and women's student-athletes who have achieved the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester receive this award.
Men's Award -- Eric Keefe (Sr., M, Wellington, N.Z./Wellington College) from the men's soccer team earned the award.
Women's Award -- Amanda Fong (Sr., F, Kensington, CA/El Cerrito HS) from the women's soccer team earned the award.
SAAC Bearcat Cup
Competition for the Bearcat Cup is designed to increase school spirit by Willamette student-athletes and to encourage participation on campus and in Salem. Points are awarded to teams for attending home and away games, participating in community service, attending non-athletics campus events, and attending Athletic Department events. The team with the highest point total wins the Bearcat Cup.
The volleyball team received the award for its exceptional support of teams and campus activities.
Other Finalists: Women's Basketball; Women's Soccer, Softball
Julie Abendroth, Ed.D., Professor of the Year
In memory of Professor Julie Abendroth, whose dedication to Willamette student-athletes was not limited to the classroom. She was a mentor and a friend of our student-athletes.
Presented by the Willamette Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to a Willamette University professor demonstrating devotion to the pursuit of excellence by our student-athletes in both academics and athletics.
Dr. John Doan, associate professor of music, was chosen for the award.
Alumnus of the Year
Presented by the Willamette University coaches in honor of an alumnus who demonstrates a lifelong connection and commitment to Bearcat Athletics, its coaches and its student-athletes.
Genesis (Heath) Williams was chosen as the award winner. Williams played softball at Willamette from 1998-01. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Willamette in 2001 with a double major in International Studies and Economics, and added a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Willamette in 2003.
Sue J. Rauch Distinguished Service to Athletics Award
Presented by the Willamette University coaches in memory of Sue Rauch, a dedicated member of the Willamette community, whose continuous support and commitment served a vital role in the success of the Bearcat Athletics Department, its coaches and it's student-athletes.
Tori Ruiz, executive assistant to the vice president for student affairs, was chosen to receive the award.