The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Athletics Hosts Third Annual Zippy Awards
May 01 | General, Compliance
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron Department of Athletics held its Third Annual Zippy Awards banquet, celebrating the achievements of the department's 400-plus student-athletes on Sunday night in the Quaker Station ballroom.
Student-athletes and coaches from UA's 18 intercollegiate sports teams, along with athletics department staff, invited guests, and dignitaries, were on hand to celebrate a memorable year of achievements for the Zips.
Named the Caroline J. Pardee Female Athlete of the Year was track senior Claudia Garcia Jou (Barcelona, Spain). Track and field senior Clayton Murphy (New Paris, Ohio) was named the James Horrigan Male Athlete of the Year.
The Bob Linton Student-Athlete Awards, which recognize students for their hard work in their respective sports, in the classroom, and in the community, went to swimming and diving's Hannah Raspopovich (Crown Point, Ind.) and men's soccer's Andrew Souders (Amherst, Ohio).
The male and female Newcomer of the Year Awards went to swimming's Madison Myers (Akron, Ohio) and men's basketball's Josh Williams (Akron, Ohio).
The Jim Schonover Award for the highest team grade-point average was given to the men's golf team (3.643 GPA) for spring 2015 and to the women's soccer team (3.537 GPA) for fall 2015.
For the first time, the Zippy Cup for team community service went to the rifle program, which accumulated more than 3,000 hours during the 2015-16 academic year. The Zips volunteered at events all over Akron, including the Alzheimer's Walk, Toys for Tots, and Summit Children's Services Christmas Adopt-A-Family Program.
Emceed by Willy Kollman, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, the program included remarks by Director of Athletics Larry Williams, Student-Athlete Advisory Council Vice President Amanda Pinheiro (track & field) as well as senior reflections from student-athletes Jillian Roth (track & field) and Jake Kretzer (men's basketball).
In addition to honoring the student-athletes graduating in the spring and summer of 2015, the department also recognized seniors Hannah Raspopovich (swimming & diving) and Andrew Souders (men's soccer's) for earning the 2016 Mid-American Conference Medal of Excellence Award. The award is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete at each MAC member institution who participated on the varsity level in a conference-sponsored sport and shown evidence of academic success with a minimum GPA of a 3.5.
2016 Zippy Award Winners
Caroline J. Pardee Female Athlete of the Year:
has given outstanding athletic performances within her sport over the past year and offered exceptional contributions to her team. Nominees can be from any class year and consideration is based mainly on athletic accomplishment.
Claudia Garcia Jou, Track & Field [Senior]
- First-Team All-American (2016 Indoor and 2015 Outdoor) in high jump
- Finished second at 2015 NCAA Indoor T&F Championships, sixth at 2015 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships with school-record jump (6-2.75), and third at 2016 NCAA Indoor T&F Championships
- School-record holder in high jump, both indoor and outdoor
- Three-time First-Team All-MAC performer
- Won the high jump at 2016 MAC T&F Indoor Championships and 2015 MAC T&F Outdoor Championships
James Horrigan Male Athlete of the Year:
has given outstanding athletic performances within his sport over the past year and offered exceptional contributions to his team. Nominees can be from any class year and consideration is based mainly on athletic accomplishment.
Clayton Murphy, Track & Field [Senior]
- Became Akron's first-ever NCAA Champion in a running event winning the 800 meters at the 2016 NCAA Indoor T&F Championships
- First-Team All-American (2016 Indoor and 2015 Outdoor) in 800m
- Captured mile and 800 meter titles at MAC Indoor Championships, as well as anchoring winning 4x400 and distance medley relays squads en route to being named the Most Outstanding Track Performer at 2016 meet
- Set school records in the 800m, mile and 4x400 and distance medley relay during 2016 indoor season
- Finished third in 800 meters at 2015 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships
Bob Linton Female Student-Athlete of the Year:
recognizes a female student-athlete who has earned a varsity letter, is in her final year of eligibility, has maintained a GPA of 3.5 or better, and who is a leader on her team and in the community.
Hannah Raspopovich, Swimming & Diving [Senior]
- 3.5 in nursing
- Named the 2016 Mid-American Conference Most Outstanding Senior Swimmer; Three-time 2016 MAC Champion; Dean's List
- Set four new program records in 205-16, 50 free (22.66), 200 medley relay (1:37.28), 400 medley relay (3:37.98), 200 freestyle relay (1:29.80)
- Earned a bid to the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history (200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay)
- Community service includes: Love Your Melon Vice President, Akron Dance Marathon, Akron YMCA Make-A-Splash Program, Akron Children's Hospital Dance Unlimited Program
Bob Linton Male Student-Athlete of the Year:
recognizes a male student-athlete who has earned a varsity letter, is in his final year of eligibility, has maintained a GPA of 3.5 or better, and who is a leader on his team and in the community.
Andrew Souders, Soccer [Senior]
- 3.7 in economics
- 2015 First-Team All-MAC selection
- Two-time Academic All-MAC honoree; two-time MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete; Dean's List; Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative
- Started all 24 games on defense; had one assist on 11 shots
- Community service includes: Cascade Village Back to School Dodgeball Event, Summit Children's Services Christmas Adopt-A-Family Program, Akron's St. Patrick's Day Parade
Newcomer of the Year:
is presented to the male and female student-athletes who have shown outstanding athletic skill in their first year of competition at UA.
FEMALE
Madison Myers, Swimming & Diving [Freshman]
- Named 2016 Mid-American Conference Most Outstanding Swimmer Award, Freshman Swimmer of the Year, and First-Team All-MAC
- Four-time 2016 MAC Champion
- As a freshman, holds five program records: 200 IM (1:58.98), 200 medley relay (1:37.28), 200 freestyle relay (1:29.80), 200 freestyle relay (3:37.98), 800 freestyle (7:15.75) as well as numerous other times in the all-time top ten rankings
- Earned a bid to the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history (200 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay)
- Helped Zips to their third consecutive MAC Championship, a program first
MALE
Josh Williams, Basketball [Freshman]
- Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team; named MAC East Player of the Week on Feb. 8
- Helped Zips' regular-season MAC Championship with a 26-9 overall record and 13-5 league mark
- Played in 34 games with four starts, logging 18.8 minutes and 6.6 points per game; shot 40.4 percent from the field, grabbed 85 rebounds (2.5 rebs/g), and dished out 47 assists (1.4 ast/g)
- Helped the Zips set an all-time 3-point field goals made in a season record (409) with a third-best 58 made 3-pointers on 140 attempts; his 41.4 percentage from beyond the 3-point arc ranked second for the Zips and fifth in the MAC
- Scored 20-plus points in three-straight games this season while connecting with 76.2 percent from long distance on 16-of-21 shooting; notched seven double-digit scoring performances, including a career-high 22 points in back-to-back games
