May 9, 2007

WAA Celebrates 103rd Annual Awards Banquet

CHICAGO -- The Women's Athletic Association at the University of Chicago held its 103rd annual awards banquet last night at the International House. Fifteen student-athletes received individual sport and department-wide awards.

Senior basketball player Korry Schwanz (Menominee, Mich./ Menominee) and senior softball player Petra Wade (Batavia, Ill./ Batavia) were co-recipients of the Gertrude Dudley Medal, which is presented to the outstanding senior athlete for leadership and skill in women's athletics.

The 2007 NCAA Division III free throw percentage champion (93.2%), Schwanz was a four-time All-University Athletic Association selection. She earned All-UAA first team accolades this past season as she helped lead the Maroons to an 18-7 overall record.

A two-time All-Great Lakes Region honoree, Wade became the winningest pitcher in Chicago softball history when she notched her 50th career victory in the Maroons' regular season finale. Wade brings a 15-5 record into this week's NCAA Division III Regional.

Senior Jackie Kropp (Stevens Point, Wis./ Stevens Point) earned the Patricia R. Kirby Multisport Athlete Award, which is presented to the senior athlete who has received the most varsity letters. Kropp garnered 11 letters -- four in indoor track & field, four in outdoor track & field, and three in cross country.

Senior cross country/track & field athlete Dilshanie Perera (Princeton, N.J./ Princeton) received the Mary Jean Mulvaney Scholar-Athlete Award, which is presented to the senior with at least three varsity letters who has compiled the highest junior and senior grade point average.

Edith Ballwebber Awards were presented to senior softball player Nancy Bugajski (Chicago, Ill./ Marian Catholic), junior soccer player Eva DeLaurentiis (Frankfort, Ill./ Lincoln Way East), sophomore volleyball player Katie Volzer (North Canton, Ohio/ Lake), and freshman cross country/track & field athlete Elizabeth So (Rockaway, N.J./ Pope John XXIII). The Edith Ballwebber Awards are issued by the Graduate Women's Athletic Association to a member of each class for their total contribution to the athletic program.

Team most valuable player awards went to Schwanz in basketball, Perera in cross country, junior Christine Farmer (Pine City, N.Y./ Elmira Notre Dame) in soccer, Wade in softball, freshman Cassie O'Neill (Roseburg, Ore./ Roseburg) in swimming, senior Ade Omodele-Lucien (Berkeley, Calif./ Stevenson) in tennis, junior Cynthia Lin (State College, Pa./ State College) in indoor track & field, senior Trina Ruhland (Golden, Colo./ D'Evelyn) in outdoor track & field, and freshman Diandra Bucciarelli (Del Mar, Calif./ Torrey Pines) in volleyball.

Sophomore Vindya Dayananda (Kathmandu, Nepal/ Lincoln School) received the Max Davidson Award, which is given to the tennis team member whose dedication to the team and sport has excelled above all others.

Founded in 1904, the Women's Athletic Association is the nation's longest-running collegiate women's athletics support organization.