The University of Akron Athletics
Photo by: Jeff Harwell
Akron Athletics Hosts Fifth Annual Zippy Awards
April 29 | Cross Country, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Rifle, Softball, Track & Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Academics, Cheerleading
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VIDEOS: Intro |  Bloopers | 2017-18 Highlights
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Akron Athletics Hosts Fifth Annual Zippy Awards
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron Department of Athletics held its Fifth Annual Zippy Awards banquet, celebrating the achievements of the department's 450-plus student-athletes on Sunday night in the Quaker Station ballroom.
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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.
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Named the Caroline J. Pardee Female Athlete of the Year was senior swimmer Paloma Marrero (Merida, Spain). Soccer senior Stuart Holthusen (Auckland, New Zealand) was named the James Horrigan Male Athlete of the Year.
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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 track & field's Jackie Siefring (Covington, Ohio) and football's Zach Guiser (Fayette City, Pa.).
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The Newcomer of the Year Awards went to swimming's Paulina Nogaj (Radom, Poland) and soccer's Joao Moutinho (Lisbon, Portugal).
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The Jim Schonover Award for the highest team grade-point average was given to the women's volleyball team (3.77 GPA) for spring 2017. The volleyball and women's golf teams (3.70 GPA) for fall 2017.
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The Zippy Cup for team community service went to the five-time MAC champion swimming & diving program, which accumulated nearly 2,000 hours during the 2017-18 academic year. The Zips volunteered at events all over Akron, including the Akron Marathon, Keep Akron Beautiful, Special Olympics, the Akron-Canton Reginal Foodbank, Adopt-a-Family, McEbright Elementary, Education Day, and the Swim & Dive Zippy Invitational.
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The Clayton Murphy Outstanding Achievement Award for going above and beyond was given to equipment manager Kevin O'Connor. The Unsung Hero, who has worked at UA since 1986, services all 18 of the Zips' teams.
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Emceed by Willy Kollman, Director of Alumni Relations, the program included remarks by President Matthew Wilson, Director of Athletics Larry Williams, Student-Athlete Advisory Council President Laura Lakins (softball) as well as senior reflections from student-athletes Aubrey Kozer (volleyball) and Taron Slone (track & field).
In addition to honoring the student-athletes graduating in the spring and summer of 2018, the department also recognized seniors Jackie Siefring (track & field) and Zach Guiser (football) for earning the 2018 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.
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2018 Zippy Award Winners
Caroline J. Pardee Female Athlete of the Year: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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.
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Paloma Marrero, Swimming [Senior]
• Became Akron's first All-American in swimming
• Concluded her collegiate career with back-to-back record setting performances at the 2018 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships; Re-set the Akron and MAC records twice in the 200 breaststroke at the NCAA meet, finishing 11th in 2:07.91
• First-team All-MAC honoree and co-Outstanding Swimmer at the 2018 MAC Championships
• Individual MAC champion in the 200 individual medley, 200 breaststroke, 400 medley relayÂ
• Helped Akron to an unprecedented fifth consecutive MAC championship team title
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James Horrigan Male Athlete of the Year: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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.
                                                  Â
Stuart Holthusen, Soccer [Senior]
• First-Team All-MAC, MAC All-Tournament team, second-team All-Great Lakes Regional United Soccer Coaches selection, first-team All-Ohio and an Academic All-MAC, and MAC Distinguished Scholar recipient
• Drafted No. 64 (Third Round) of the 2018 SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers
• Owned team-high marks in goals (12), points (27), shots (52) and game-winners (5), while rating second in shots on goal (23); ranked seventh, 17th, 24th and 49th, respectively, in the NCAA in game-winning goals (5), total goals (12), total points (27) and goals per game (0.50)
• Scored game-winning goal in double overtime in 2-1 triumph versus SIU Edwardsville (Nov. 10) in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament
• Propelled Akron to the Elite Eight scoring golden goal in overtime in a 3-2 victory against No. 13 Wisconsin (Nov. 25) in the third round of the NCAA Tournament; made successful penalty kick in Zips' shootout victory past No. 6 Louisville (Dec. 1) in the Elite Eight
Bob Linton Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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.
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Jackie Siefring, Track & Field [Senior]
• 3.668 in Biomedical Engineering                Â
• National All-Academic team, Dean's List, Team Captain
• First-Team All-American (2018 Indoor – Pentathlon; 2017 Outdoor – Heptathlon)
• MAC Champion (2018 Indoor – Pentathlon, Long Jump; 2017 Outdoor – Heptathlon); Second-Team All-MAC (2017 Outdoor – 400M Hurdles)
• Set school record in women's pentathlon en route to finishing fourth at 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships
• Community service includes:  Akron Marathon, Adopt-a-Family, Easter baskets for Children's Services, high school track meets, Senior Day for Engineering
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Bob Linton Male Student-Athlete of the Year:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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.
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Zach Guiser, Football [Senior]
• 3.994 in Pre-Physical Therapy/Sport Science
• Just the second first-team Academic All-American in school history; three-time MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, three-time Academic All-MAC selection, President's List
(8 semesters); University's Honors College; semifinalist for the 2017 William V. Campbell Trophy; team captain; Wuerffel Trophy Watch List; SAAC and FCA member
• Suffered a season-ending injury against Iowa State; finished this fall with 16 tackles, an interception, and a break-up
• Earned a bachelor's degree in December 2017; pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy
• Community service includes: ARISE football camp, Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, Haven of Rest, Munroe Elementary School, One-of-a-Kind Pet rescue, YMCA Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, Akron Children's Hospital, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, Reading program
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Newcomer of the Year:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
is presented to the male and female student-athletes who have shown outstanding athletic skill in their first year of competition at UA.
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FEMALE
Paulina Nogaj, Swimming [Freshman]
• One of two Zips to participate in the 2018 NCAA Championships (100 butterfly)
• MAC Freshman Swimmer of the Year and first-team All-MAC
• Member of the MAC championship 400 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay teams
• Set the MAC record in the 200 butterfly at MAC Championships (1:57.24)
• Helped Akron to an unprecedented fifth consecutive MAC championship team title
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MALE
Joao Moutinho, Soccer [Freshman]
• Selected No. 1in the MLS SuperDraft, second Zip to go No. 1
• 2017 First-Team United Soccer Coaches All-American and TopDrawerSoccer.com National Freshman of the Year
• 2017 MAC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-MAC
• Started all 24 games, helping Zips to the MAC Championship and a College Cup appearance
• Had three goals, 19 shots on goal
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VIDEOS: Intro |  Bloopers | 2017-18 Highlights
Â
Akron Athletics Hosts Fifth Annual Zippy Awards
Â
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron Department of Athletics held its Fifth Annual Zippy Awards banquet, celebrating the achievements of the department's 450-plus student-athletes on Sunday night in the Quaker Station ballroom.
Â
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.
Â
Named the Caroline J. Pardee Female Athlete of the Year was senior swimmer Paloma Marrero (Merida, Spain). Soccer senior Stuart Holthusen (Auckland, New Zealand) was named the James Horrigan Male Athlete of the Year.
Â
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 track & field's Jackie Siefring (Covington, Ohio) and football's Zach Guiser (Fayette City, Pa.).
Â
The Newcomer of the Year Awards went to swimming's Paulina Nogaj (Radom, Poland) and soccer's Joao Moutinho (Lisbon, Portugal).
Â
The Jim Schonover Award for the highest team grade-point average was given to the women's volleyball team (3.77 GPA) for spring 2017. The volleyball and women's golf teams (3.70 GPA) for fall 2017.
Â
The Zippy Cup for team community service went to the five-time MAC champion swimming & diving program, which accumulated nearly 2,000 hours during the 2017-18 academic year. The Zips volunteered at events all over Akron, including the Akron Marathon, Keep Akron Beautiful, Special Olympics, the Akron-Canton Reginal Foodbank, Adopt-a-Family, McEbright Elementary, Education Day, and the Swim & Dive Zippy Invitational.
Â
The Clayton Murphy Outstanding Achievement Award for going above and beyond was given to equipment manager Kevin O'Connor. The Unsung Hero, who has worked at UA since 1986, services all 18 of the Zips' teams.
Â
Emceed by Willy Kollman, Director of Alumni Relations, the program included remarks by President Matthew Wilson, Director of Athletics Larry Williams, Student-Athlete Advisory Council President Laura Lakins (softball) as well as senior reflections from student-athletes Aubrey Kozer (volleyball) and Taron Slone (track & field).
In addition to honoring the student-athletes graduating in the spring and summer of 2018, the department also recognized seniors Jackie Siefring (track & field) and Zach Guiser (football) for earning the 2018 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.
Â
2018 Zippy Award Winners
Caroline J. Pardee Female Athlete of the Year: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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.
Â
Paloma Marrero, Swimming [Senior]
• Became Akron's first All-American in swimming
• Concluded her collegiate career with back-to-back record setting performances at the 2018 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships; Re-set the Akron and MAC records twice in the 200 breaststroke at the NCAA meet, finishing 11th in 2:07.91
• First-team All-MAC honoree and co-Outstanding Swimmer at the 2018 MAC Championships
• Individual MAC champion in the 200 individual medley, 200 breaststroke, 400 medley relayÂ
• Helped Akron to an unprecedented fifth consecutive MAC championship team title
Â
Â
James Horrigan Male Athlete of the Year: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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.
                                                  Â
Stuart Holthusen, Soccer [Senior]
• First-Team All-MAC, MAC All-Tournament team, second-team All-Great Lakes Regional United Soccer Coaches selection, first-team All-Ohio and an Academic All-MAC, and MAC Distinguished Scholar recipient
• Drafted No. 64 (Third Round) of the 2018 SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers
• Owned team-high marks in goals (12), points (27), shots (52) and game-winners (5), while rating second in shots on goal (23); ranked seventh, 17th, 24th and 49th, respectively, in the NCAA in game-winning goals (5), total goals (12), total points (27) and goals per game (0.50)
• Scored game-winning goal in double overtime in 2-1 triumph versus SIU Edwardsville (Nov. 10) in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament
• Propelled Akron to the Elite Eight scoring golden goal in overtime in a 3-2 victory against No. 13 Wisconsin (Nov. 25) in the third round of the NCAA Tournament; made successful penalty kick in Zips' shootout victory past No. 6 Louisville (Dec. 1) in the Elite Eight
Bob Linton Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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.
Â
Jackie Siefring, Track & Field [Senior]
• 3.668 in Biomedical Engineering                Â
• National All-Academic team, Dean's List, Team Captain
• First-Team All-American (2018 Indoor – Pentathlon; 2017 Outdoor – Heptathlon)
• MAC Champion (2018 Indoor – Pentathlon, Long Jump; 2017 Outdoor – Heptathlon); Second-Team All-MAC (2017 Outdoor – 400M Hurdles)
• Set school record in women's pentathlon en route to finishing fourth at 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships
• Community service includes:  Akron Marathon, Adopt-a-Family, Easter baskets for Children's Services, high school track meets, Senior Day for Engineering
Â
Bob Linton Male Student-Athlete of the Year:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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.
Â
Zach Guiser, Football [Senior]
• 3.994 in Pre-Physical Therapy/Sport Science
• Just the second first-team Academic All-American in school history; three-time MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, three-time Academic All-MAC selection, President's List
(8 semesters); University's Honors College; semifinalist for the 2017 William V. Campbell Trophy; team captain; Wuerffel Trophy Watch List; SAAC and FCA member
• Suffered a season-ending injury against Iowa State; finished this fall with 16 tackles, an interception, and a break-up
• Earned a bachelor's degree in December 2017; pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy
• Community service includes: ARISE football camp, Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, Haven of Rest, Munroe Elementary School, One-of-a-Kind Pet rescue, YMCA Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, Akron Children's Hospital, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, Reading program
Â
Newcomer of the Year:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
is presented to the male and female student-athletes who have shown outstanding athletic skill in their first year of competition at UA.
Â
FEMALE
Paulina Nogaj, Swimming [Freshman]
• One of two Zips to participate in the 2018 NCAA Championships (100 butterfly)
• MAC Freshman Swimmer of the Year and first-team All-MAC
• Member of the MAC championship 400 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay teams
• Set the MAC record in the 200 butterfly at MAC Championships (1:57.24)
• Helped Akron to an unprecedented fifth consecutive MAC championship team title
Â
MALE
Joao Moutinho, Soccer [Freshman]
• Selected No. 1in the MLS SuperDraft, second Zip to go No. 1
• 2017 First-Team United Soccer Coaches All-American and TopDrawerSoccer.com National Freshman of the Year
• 2017 MAC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-MAC
• Started all 24 games, helping Zips to the MAC Championship and a College Cup appearance
• Had three goals, 19 shots on goal
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