The University of Akron Athletics
Photo by: Jeff Harwell
Akron Athletics Hosts Sixth Annual Zippy Awards
April 28 | Cross Country, Football, 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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PHOTO GALLERY
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron Department of Athletics held its Sixth Annual Zippy Awards banquet, celebrating the achievements of the department's 450-plus student-athletes on Sunday evening in the Student Union 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 Sadie Fazekas (Windsor, Ontario). Track and field senior Matt Ludwig (Chardon, Ohio) 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 basketball's Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) and track and field's Taron Slone (Columbus, Ohio).
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The Newcomer of the Year Awards went to swimming's Sarah Watdon (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and soccer's Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.).
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The Jim Schonover Award for the highest team grade-point average was given to the women's volleyball team (3.85 GPA) for spring 2018 and to the women's tennis team (3.52 GPA) for fall 2018.
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The Zippy Cup for team community service went to the co-ed rifle program, which accumulated nearly 1,200 hours during the 2018-19 academic year. The Zips volunteered at events all over Akron, including the Make-A-Difference-Day, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Zippy Open Invitational, Keep Akron Beautiful, Turkey Shoot, and Community Day.
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The Clayton Murphy Outstanding Achievement Award for going above and beyond was given to director of operations and events manager Allan Hoon. The Unsung Hero, who has worked at UA since 2005, services all 18 of the Zips' teams with logistical scheduling and programming at InfoCision Stadium, Stile Athletics Field House, and other athletics facilities.
UA introduced its inaugural class– a total of 76 Zips– into the Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society, which recognizes student-athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition.
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Emceed by Willy Kollman, Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations, the program included remarks by Interim President Dr. John C. Green, Director of Athletics Larry Williams, Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Matthew Juravich, Student-Athlete Advisory Council President Laura Lakins (softball) as well as senior reflections from student-athletes Danielle Nicholson (women's golf) and Caleb Lloyd (rifle).
In addition to honoring the student-athletes graduating in the spring and summer of 2019, the department also recognized seniors Megan Sefcik (women's basketball) and Taron Slone (track & field) for earning the 2019 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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2019 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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Sadie Fazekas, Swimming [Senior]
• A 2019 NCAA Championships participant in the 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle, 400 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay
• Six-time 2019 MAC Champion (50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay)
• Broke the MAC and program record in the 100 backstroke and the program record in the 50 freestyle
• Member of seven relay teams that broke MAC and program records throughout the season
• First-Team All-MAC, team captain, MAC Swimmer of the week twice
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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.
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Matt Ludwig, Track & Field [Senior]
• Six-time All-American, including five first-team citations, garnered first-team All-America honors in the pole vault at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships and 2019 NCAA Indoor Championships after registering marks of 18-2.50 (5.55m) and 18-7.50 (5.68m) to place second and fourth, respectively.
• Owns the No. 4 all-time collegiate indoor pole vault mark surpassing 19-1.50 (5.83m) and the  No. 7 indoor (19-1.50/5.83m) mark in the world in 2019; 2018 USTFCCCA Great Lakes Regional Field Athlete of the Year.
• Won his fifth straight league crown at the 2019 MAC Indoor Championships in the men's pole vault; 2019 MAC Indoor Most Outstanding Field Performer of the Meet, eclipsing a meet-record mark of 19-0.75 (5.81m)
• 2018 and 2019 Academic All-MAC indoor honoree
•  Placed sixth in the men's pole vault with a mark of 18-6.50 (5.65m) at the 2018 USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships.
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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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Megan Sefcik, Basketball [Senior]
• 3.957 in Elementary Education Literacy (master's); earned bachelor's in Early Childhood Education in May 2018
• 2019 All-MAC Second Team; 2019 & 2018 Academic All-MAC; Selected to participate in the 2019 Women's Basketball Coaches Association, 'So You Want To Be A Coach' program.
• Scored 1,000 career point, 15th player in program history to do so; just the third Zip to eclipse 200 made three-pointers in a career
• Career-highs in points (533, 17.2/game), rebounds (104), assists (54), steals (54), blocks (21), made field goals (181), and made three-pointers (99).
• Community service includes: United Disabilities Services of Summit County, Pen Pal Program, Haven of Rest, Habitat for Humanity, Hashtag Lunchbag, Akron-Canton Foodbank, Tutoring and Reading at Local Elementary Schools, UA Make a Difference Day.
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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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Taron Slone, Track & Field [Senior]
• 3.737 GPA in Sport Management
• USTFCCCA Academic All-American, Academic All-MAC, and MAC Distinguished Scholar honoree
• A 2018 NCAA East Preliminary Round qualifier in the 200 meters registering a career-best time of 20.65 in the opening round, third-fastest time in outdoor program history, before placing 24th in the quarterfinals (21.19).
• Competed in eight meets for the Zips, including third- and fourth-place finishes in the 100 and 200 meters at the MAC Championships, while running on the third-place 4x100 and sixth-place  4x400 relay teams; Posted six top-10 efforts in the 200 meters, Â
• Community service includes: Akron Marathon, Black Male Summit, 5K, Akron indoor and outdoor track meet support, coaching at North High School (over 100 hours), basketball 50/50, and Akron-Canton Regional FoodBank.
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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 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
Sarah Watson, Swimming [Freshman]
• Became Akron's second swimmer all-time to earn Honorable Mention All-America honors after finishing 11th in the 100 butterfly (51.73) at the NCAA Championships
• 2019 MAC Freshman Swimmer of the Year and First-Team All-MAC selection
• A seven-time 2019 MAC Champion (100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 200 IM, 200 medley relay, 800 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay)
• President's List; MAC Swimmer of the week three times
• Broke the program and MAC record in the 100 butterfly on four different occasions
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MALE
Carlo Ritaccio, Soccer [Freshman]
• National Freshman of the Year by TopDrawerSoccer.com; Freshman Best XI first team; Second-team All-MAC honoree; MAC All-Tournament
• Anchored a Zips' defensive unit that posted eight shutouts on the campaign, while tallying three goals, all in the postseason to lead Akron to a 15-7-2 overall record and the program's sixth College Cup berth and fourth appearance in the NCAA title game.
• Netted the game-winning tally in the 32nd minute to help propel Akron to a 5-1 victory past fourth-rated Michigan State in the semifinals of the College Cup.
• Registered a two-goal performance to propel the Zips to a 3-1 victory over No. 12 West Virginia in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament, with his tallies representing his first career points as a collegian.
• Started all 22 matches
Jim Schonover Award                                                                                                                              Â
is presented to the team that sports the highest grade-point average each semester.
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           Spring 2018:              Women's Volleyball (3.85 GPA)
           Fall 2018:                   Women's Tennis (3.52 GPA)
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Zippy Cup                                                                                                                                                  Â
is presented to the team that totals the most points from academics, community outreach and service, and SAAC communication.
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           2018-19:                     Rifle (co-ed)
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PHOTO GALLERY
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron Department of Athletics held its Sixth Annual Zippy Awards banquet, celebrating the achievements of the department's 450-plus student-athletes on Sunday evening in the Student Union 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 Sadie Fazekas (Windsor, Ontario). Track and field senior Matt Ludwig (Chardon, Ohio) 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 basketball's Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) and track and field's Taron Slone (Columbus, Ohio).
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The Newcomer of the Year Awards went to swimming's Sarah Watdon (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and soccer's Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.).
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The Jim Schonover Award for the highest team grade-point average was given to the women's volleyball team (3.85 GPA) for spring 2018 and to the women's tennis team (3.52 GPA) for fall 2018.
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The Zippy Cup for team community service went to the co-ed rifle program, which accumulated nearly 1,200 hours during the 2018-19 academic year. The Zips volunteered at events all over Akron, including the Make-A-Difference-Day, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Zippy Open Invitational, Keep Akron Beautiful, Turkey Shoot, and Community Day.
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The Clayton Murphy Outstanding Achievement Award for going above and beyond was given to director of operations and events manager Allan Hoon. The Unsung Hero, who has worked at UA since 2005, services all 18 of the Zips' teams with logistical scheduling and programming at InfoCision Stadium, Stile Athletics Field House, and other athletics facilities.
UA introduced its inaugural class– a total of 76 Zips– into the Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society, which recognizes student-athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition.
Â
Emceed by Willy Kollman, Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations, the program included remarks by Interim President Dr. John C. Green, Director of Athletics Larry Williams, Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Matthew Juravich, Student-Athlete Advisory Council President Laura Lakins (softball) as well as senior reflections from student-athletes Danielle Nicholson (women's golf) and Caleb Lloyd (rifle).
In addition to honoring the student-athletes graduating in the spring and summer of 2019, the department also recognized seniors Megan Sefcik (women's basketball) and Taron Slone (track & field) for earning the 2019 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
2019 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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Sadie Fazekas, Swimming [Senior]• A 2019 NCAA Championships participant in the 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle, 400 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay
• Six-time 2019 MAC Champion (50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay)
• Broke the MAC and program record in the 100 backstroke and the program record in the 50 freestyle
• Member of seven relay teams that broke MAC and program records throughout the season
• First-Team All-MAC, team captain, MAC Swimmer of the week twice
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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
Matt Ludwig, Track & Field [Senior]• Six-time All-American, including five first-team citations, garnered first-team All-America honors in the pole vault at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships and 2019 NCAA Indoor Championships after registering marks of 18-2.50 (5.55m) and 18-7.50 (5.68m) to place second and fourth, respectively.
• Owns the No. 4 all-time collegiate indoor pole vault mark surpassing 19-1.50 (5.83m) and the  No. 7 indoor (19-1.50/5.83m) mark in the world in 2019; 2018 USTFCCCA Great Lakes Regional Field Athlete of the Year.
• Won his fifth straight league crown at the 2019 MAC Indoor Championships in the men's pole vault; 2019 MAC Indoor Most Outstanding Field Performer of the Meet, eclipsing a meet-record mark of 19-0.75 (5.81m)
• 2018 and 2019 Academic All-MAC indoor honoree
•  Placed sixth in the men's pole vault with a mark of 18-6.50 (5.65m) at the 2018 USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships.
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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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Megan Sefcik, Basketball [Senior]• 3.957 in Elementary Education Literacy (master's); earned bachelor's in Early Childhood Education in May 2018
• 2019 All-MAC Second Team; 2019 & 2018 Academic All-MAC; Selected to participate in the 2019 Women's Basketball Coaches Association, 'So You Want To Be A Coach' program.
• Scored 1,000 career point, 15th player in program history to do so; just the third Zip to eclipse 200 made three-pointers in a career
• Career-highs in points (533, 17.2/game), rebounds (104), assists (54), steals (54), blocks (21), made field goals (181), and made three-pointers (99).
• Community service includes: United Disabilities Services of Summit County, Pen Pal Program, Haven of Rest, Habitat for Humanity, Hashtag Lunchbag, Akron-Canton Foodbank, Tutoring and Reading at Local Elementary Schools, UA Make a Difference Day.
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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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Taron Slone, Track & Field [Senior]• 3.737 GPA in Sport Management
• USTFCCCA Academic All-American, Academic All-MAC, and MAC Distinguished Scholar honoree
• A 2018 NCAA East Preliminary Round qualifier in the 200 meters registering a career-best time of 20.65 in the opening round, third-fastest time in outdoor program history, before placing 24th in the quarterfinals (21.19).
• Competed in eight meets for the Zips, including third- and fourth-place finishes in the 100 and 200 meters at the MAC Championships, while running on the third-place 4x100 and sixth-place  4x400 relay teams; Posted six top-10 efforts in the 200 meters, Â
• Community service includes: Akron Marathon, Black Male Summit, 5K, Akron indoor and outdoor track meet support, coaching at North High School (over 100 hours), basketball 50/50, and Akron-Canton Regional FoodBank.
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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 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
Sarah Watson, Swimming [Freshman]• Became Akron's second swimmer all-time to earn Honorable Mention All-America honors after finishing 11th in the 100 butterfly (51.73) at the NCAA Championships
• 2019 MAC Freshman Swimmer of the Year and First-Team All-MAC selection
• A seven-time 2019 MAC Champion (100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 200 IM, 200 medley relay, 800 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay)
• President's List; MAC Swimmer of the week three times
• Broke the program and MAC record in the 100 butterfly on four different occasions
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MALE
Carlo Ritaccio, Soccer [Freshman]• National Freshman of the Year by TopDrawerSoccer.com; Freshman Best XI first team; Second-team All-MAC honoree; MAC All-Tournament
• Anchored a Zips' defensive unit that posted eight shutouts on the campaign, while tallying three goals, all in the postseason to lead Akron to a 15-7-2 overall record and the program's sixth College Cup berth and fourth appearance in the NCAA title game.
• Netted the game-winning tally in the 32nd minute to help propel Akron to a 5-1 victory past fourth-rated Michigan State in the semifinals of the College Cup.
• Registered a two-goal performance to propel the Zips to a 3-1 victory over No. 12 West Virginia in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament, with his tallies representing his first career points as a collegian.
• Started all 22 matches
Jim Schonover Award                                                                                                                              Â
is presented to the team that sports the highest grade-point average each semester.
Â
           Spring 2018:              Women's Volleyball (3.85 GPA)
           Fall 2018:                   Women's Tennis (3.52 GPA)
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Zippy Cup                                                                                                                                                  Â
is presented to the team that totals the most points from academics, community outreach and service, and SAAC communication.
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           2018-19:                     Rifle (co-ed)
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Players Mentioned
1B
/ Softball
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Cross Country
/ Women's Golf
D
/ Men's Soccer
G
/ Women's Basketball
Sprints
/ Track & Field
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