Midseason Maroon Awards
Darren Zancan
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Sports
After much deliberation, a few long nights of restless sleep and a sit through of the movie Titanic, I have finally decided on the winners of the first ever Maroon Award. Since I have only been at this university since the fall, I am calling these the Midseason Maroon Awards.
No these are not the "Dundies." If you watch The Office, you would know Steve Carell gives away awards like "Great Work Award" or "Hottest in the Office Award." Well we all know I would win the second award, of course.
But these are given to those who really deserve it.
Disclaimer: Winners, there are no certificates. Your name only appears in this section. You will not get a fancy ring or a trophy. I won't even take you out to eat. Possibly you may get a "hello" or "how are you" if you see me in the halls. These opinions do not reflect the thoughts of those who work at the Progress, New York Times or Jay Mariotti.
Let's begin.
Comeback Player of the Year- Chris Rengifo, cross-country
Rengifo dealt with a leg injury most of the season and his status was not even certain heading into the end of the season. But he came back strong, finishing in 35 place at Regionals. Runners have to be in top condition, running several hours a week just to be ready. Injuries can severely hurt someone's conditioning and performance. Rengifo bounced back and deserves the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Most Consistent Player Award- Andrew Soucy, DL football
I have to clarify this award. I was going to call it "From beginning to end Award" but I kept going back and forth with it. I covered the football team throughout the season, and Soucy kept improving every game and became a key force on the defensive side of the ball. By the end of the season, he had five blocked field goals/extra points. That stat is impressive enough. Don't forget his three sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
Most Likely to go Pro Award- Jeremy Caldwell, DB, football
This guy is a beast. Plain and simple. He finished with seven interceptions on the year and could have had seven more if he was not injured towards the end of the season. His defense was a thing of beauty. One interception he literally laid out in front of a defender and made the catch. He also had a sack and two forced fumbles. Off the field, he deflects his success and gives it to his team. Class act. Hopefully a professional one day.
Coach of the Year- Lori Duncan, volleyball and Rick Erdmann, cross-country
I had to go with a tie. I have this thing for coaches who get the most out of their team. I do not always look at wins and losses. Duncan could have given up on the women's volleyball team. But she never did. Leadership and the ability to keep a team together are just a few reasons why she is a great coach. Duncan led her team to the OVC tournament, along the way beating Jacksonville State who was 16-0 in conference.
Erdmann wins year in and year out, but that is why he deserves this award. With injuries across the board and new runners who have not competed on such a high level, it would be easy to call it a rebuilding year. But Erdmann won women's and men's OVC titles, while bringing home another OVC Coach of the year Award. Enough said.
Team of the Year- Women's Volleyball
Darren, get off the volleyball bandwagon. Sorry can't do. Determination, poise, hunger, faith, teamwork and relishing in the underdog role make this team so special. The odds were stacked against them, but they pulled off four straight OVC wins, after a 0-13 start, to make the tourney. Remember when Georgia pulled off the same feat in SEC basketball? They were the talk of the nation. Well volleyball should be the talk of the town. Here's your first Maroon Award!
Female of the Year- Stephanie Lynch, goalie, women's soccer
Lynch played on a team that finished 5-10-3 overall. Her offense scored a total of 12 goals. But she posted six shutouts as starting goalie. Her 1.17 goal-per-game average is impressive. Goalies do not get enough credit. (Honorable mention: Kat Pagano, cross-country and Picoty Leitich, cross-country)
Male of the Year- T.J. Pryor, quarterback, football
Pryor started the season as the number two quarterback behind Cody Watts, but emerged in the third game of the season as the starter for the rest of the year. He never looked back. Pryor is a quiet leader, but became an offensive force on the field. He finished the season with 2,153 passing yards. He also showed he could run the ball (269 yards and four touchdowns.) He has a strong arm and is poised to have a breakout year next year under Coach Dean Hood.
Congrats to the first round of winners. In the spring I will award the second half awards as well as the year awards.
Two minute warning- Kurt Warner retired this week. Talk about a class act. If character put someone in the Hall of Fame, he would be a lock. Great career. We will miss you.
No these are not the "Dundies." If you watch The Office, you would know Steve Carell gives away awards like "Great Work Award" or "Hottest in the Office Award." Well we all know I would win the second award, of course.
But these are given to those who really deserve it.
Disclaimer: Winners, there are no certificates. Your name only appears in this section. You will not get a fancy ring or a trophy. I won't even take you out to eat. Possibly you may get a "hello" or "how are you" if you see me in the halls. These opinions do not reflect the thoughts of those who work at the Progress, New York Times or Jay Mariotti.
Let's begin.
Comeback Player of the Year- Chris Rengifo, cross-country
Rengifo dealt with a leg injury most of the season and his status was not even certain heading into the end of the season. But he came back strong, finishing in 35 place at Regionals. Runners have to be in top condition, running several hours a week just to be ready. Injuries can severely hurt someone's conditioning and performance. Rengifo bounced back and deserves the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Most Consistent Player Award- Andrew Soucy, DL football
I have to clarify this award. I was going to call it "From beginning to end Award" but I kept going back and forth with it. I covered the football team throughout the season, and Soucy kept improving every game and became a key force on the defensive side of the ball. By the end of the season, he had five blocked field goals/extra points. That stat is impressive enough. Don't forget his three sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
Most Likely to go Pro Award- Jeremy Caldwell, DB, football
This guy is a beast. Plain and simple. He finished with seven interceptions on the year and could have had seven more if he was not injured towards the end of the season. His defense was a thing of beauty. One interception he literally laid out in front of a defender and made the catch. He also had a sack and two forced fumbles. Off the field, he deflects his success and gives it to his team. Class act. Hopefully a professional one day.
Coach of the Year- Lori Duncan, volleyball and Rick Erdmann, cross-country
I had to go with a tie. I have this thing for coaches who get the most out of their team. I do not always look at wins and losses. Duncan could have given up on the women's volleyball team. But she never did. Leadership and the ability to keep a team together are just a few reasons why she is a great coach. Duncan led her team to the OVC tournament, along the way beating Jacksonville State who was 16-0 in conference.
Erdmann wins year in and year out, but that is why he deserves this award. With injuries across the board and new runners who have not competed on such a high level, it would be easy to call it a rebuilding year. But Erdmann won women's and men's OVC titles, while bringing home another OVC Coach of the year Award. Enough said.
Team of the Year- Women's Volleyball
Darren, get off the volleyball bandwagon. Sorry can't do. Determination, poise, hunger, faith, teamwork and relishing in the underdog role make this team so special. The odds were stacked against them, but they pulled off four straight OVC wins, after a 0-13 start, to make the tourney. Remember when Georgia pulled off the same feat in SEC basketball? They were the talk of the nation. Well volleyball should be the talk of the town. Here's your first Maroon Award!
Female of the Year- Stephanie Lynch, goalie, women's soccer
Lynch played on a team that finished 5-10-3 overall. Her offense scored a total of 12 goals. But she posted six shutouts as starting goalie. Her 1.17 goal-per-game average is impressive. Goalies do not get enough credit. (Honorable mention: Kat Pagano, cross-country and Picoty Leitich, cross-country)
Male of the Year- T.J. Pryor, quarterback, football
Pryor started the season as the number two quarterback behind Cody Watts, but emerged in the third game of the season as the starter for the rest of the year. He never looked back. Pryor is a quiet leader, but became an offensive force on the field. He finished the season with 2,153 passing yards. He also showed he could run the ball (269 yards and four touchdowns.) He has a strong arm and is poised to have a breakout year next year under Coach Dean Hood.
Congrats to the first round of winners. In the spring I will award the second half awards as well as the year awards.
Two minute warning- Kurt Warner retired this week. Talk about a class act. If character put someone in the Hall of Fame, he would be a lock. Great career. We will miss you.
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