KUTZTOWN ATHLETES CHOSEN FOR COACHES AWARDS

 KUTZTOWN, PA— Kutztown University’s athletics teams have announced the recipients of each team’s Coaches’ Awards.  The winners were honored at the All-Sports Banquet on Tuesday, April 27, 2004. 

            The Coach’s Awards are determined by each team’s coaching staff, based upon criteria selected by the coaches.

 Men’s cross country’s Dave Tidey (so. Bridgewater NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan HS) was selected by head coach Ray Hoffman for his leadership qualities during this cross country season.  Tidey was one of the top seven runners this cross country season and competed in both the PSAC and Regional championships.

 “After a year layoff, Dave came back to KU and quickly returned to his varsity roll,” said Hoffman.  “Dave took a freshman-heavy squad under his wing and showed great support and encouragement to his younger teammates. Dave’s leadership and love for the sport shows a bright future for KU cross country.”

 Women’s cross country’s Erin Peiffer (sr. New Providence/Solanco) earned her team’s coaches award. Peiffer finished 19^th at PSAC championships and 29^th at Regionals as KU finished fourth in each meet. 

 “Over the past four years Erin has developed into one of the finest leaders a coach could ask for,” Hoffman said.  “Whether it would be practice, competition, or schoolwork, Erin would give 100%, which reflected in her Academic All-Star and All PSAC status.” 

Field Hockey’s Ali Delich (so. Palmerton/Palmerton) was chosen by head coach Betty Wesner.  Her team oriented nature helped push her teammates to exceed their potential. 

 “Ali’s intense work ethic helps her to be an excellent role model on and off the field,” said Wesner.

 Football’s Jon Corson (sr. Lansdale/North Penn) receives the coaches award from head coach Dave Keeny.  He set the record for career punting yards at KU and a was a three-time All-PSAC selection. 

 “John has a high-level of coach-ability and a good attitude,” said Keeny.  “His contributions to the team are above and beyond what is normally expected of a punter.”

 Men’s soccer’s James Pollex (sr. Piscataway NJ/ Piscataway) was honored by head coach Otto Ormosi for demonstrating hard work, determination and leadership this soccer season.  Pollex was an All-PSAC second team selection.   

Women’s soccer’s Lauren Lick (sr. Quakertown/Quakertown) received the coaches award from head coach Jeff Schellenberger for working hard and her determinatiopn to make a solid and consistent effort toward her team’s best season ever.   In her career at KU, Lick scored the winning OT goal for KU’s first ever win against East Stroudsburg in 2001, she assisted the winning goal to give KU its first ever win over Slippery Rock in 2002 and in 2003 she started 16 of 21 games as a defender.

 “This year the award goes to a player who many never thought would have made it as a player for four years. But Lauren persevered and worked through the obstacles presented to her,” said Schellenberger.

 Volleyball’s Mary Kate Strine (sr. York/Central York) was chosen by head coach John Gump to receive the coaches award for her contribution to the volleyball program.  Strine set Kutztown’s career record for service aces and showed great dedication throughout her four years on the volleyball team.

 Men’s basketball’s T.J. Mann (sr. Glenn Mills/Malvern Prep) was last year’s Rookie of the Year and he showed a strong dedication to the program this season.

             “T.J. Mann demonstrated great efforts in overcoming obstacles to have a solid Division II career,” KU head coach Bernie Driscoll said. 

 Women’s basketball’s Monique Boykins (so. Yeadon/Penn Wood) receives the coaches award for her improvements from her first to second year, as well as her achievements on the basketball floor.  She averaged 8.0 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game and was named All-PSAC East second team for head coach Janet Malouf. 

Men’s swimming’s Greg Fulkerson (jr. Towanda/Towanda) was chosen by head coach Tim Flannery because he is a natural leader, who leads by example. 

 “Greg is a PSAC Scholar Athlete, extremely dedicated to the program, academics, Kutztown University and the sport of swimming,” said Flannery.

 Women’s swimming’s Carrie Lum (so. Mercersburg/James Buchanan) shows great dedication to both swimming and academics. 

 “Carrie goes above and beyond what is expected of her, while demanding the best from herself and those around her” Flannery said.

 Wrestling’s Jonathan Ratki (sr. Croton-on-Hudson NY/Croton Harmon) was selected by head coach Rob Fisher for having a tremendous amount of dedication and loyalty to KU Wrestling.  Ratki was a leader throughout his four years on the wrestling squad.

 The cheer team’s Sami Lasso (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny) was honored by head coach Jackie Bellanca for her recruiting and secretarial work.  Lasso produces the qualifying tapes the team sends in for the UCA National Cheerleader competitions.

 Women’s golf’s Laura Dietz (sr. Langhorne/Neshaminy) was given coaches award because she was dedicated, team oriented, and hard working.  Head coach Rob Fisher recognized Dietz for always thinking of the team first.

 Softball’s Jessica Balchikonas (sr. Warren Center/Northeast Bradford) was recognized by head coach Judy Lawes for her hard work, dedication, and leadership qualities during this softball season. 

 Men’s tennis’s Velmurugan Annamalai (sr. Chennai, INDIA) received the coaches award from head coach Suresh Ramamurthi.  Annamalai showed dedication on the court and commitment in the classroom throughout his career at KU. He is 14-5 in singles and doubles matches this year. 

Women’s tennis’ Priya Pachkawde (fr. Nasik, INDIA) earned the coaches award for her commitment on-and-off the court as well as in the classroom.  She has a record of 18-4 combined singles and doubles competition.  

Men’s track and field’s Mike Provenzano (so. Carlisle/Carlisle) was recognized by Brain Mondschein for his efforts in the pole vault.   

“Mike is a sophomore pole vaulter, who has quietly led the way for the vaulters to establish themselves as a conference force,” Mondschein said. “He displays the sort of good, old-fashioned work ethic that helps build teams, and is living proof that nice guys sometimes finish first.” 

Women’s track & field’s Niya Adams (sr. King of Prussia/Upper Merion) was honored by Mondschein for taking on the role as a leader this year.  Adams is one of the top middle distance runners in the PSAC.
            “Niya became a real leader this year,” said Mondschein. “Her maturity and ability to sacrifice and support her team have deeply moved our coaching staff.  No matter what the odds, Niya is out there leading our team into battle.” 

The baseball coaches have decided to wait until their season is over to announce the recipient of the coaches award.