The Whitman College Athletics department returned to a time-honored tradition and held its annual Senior Awards Ceremony Thursday night in the Reid Campus Center Ballroom. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the previous two ceremonies had been held virtually.
After a pre-ceremony reception the official program commenced with a welcome by Athletics Director Kim Chandler who gave opening remarks as well as honored outgoing Whitman College President Kathy Murray who was on hand to accept her medal and blanket. Chandler then introduced Director of Events and Facilities Stephen Gall as the emcee for the event.
The Northwest Conference academic and all-conference award winners were then recognized along with all-region selections and coaches who had been honored with coach of the year selections.
From there, the awards were presented along with a senior tribute video produced by Whitman Athletics Sports Communications. A listing of the awards are as follows:
Bob Thomsen Award - Nominated by the coaches and given to the senior(s) who represent the mission of Whitman College, Whitman Athletics, and demonstrates one or more of the ideals of sportsmanship including fairness, civility, honesty, respect, and responsibility. The honorees were John Carter (men's tennis), Matthew Cho (baseball), Annika Hobson (swimming), Chloe Michaels (cross country / distance track), Ben Ortiz (baseball), Kaelan Shamseldin (women's basketball), and Chloe Young (women's soccer).
Bleeding Blue and Gold award - Nominated by the coaches given to the senior(s) who are injured and unable to compete during a significant portion of their senior year, but remained a major contributor. The honorees were Francisco Bignold (men's soccer), Tucker Grinnan (cross country / distance track), Rebecca Johnston (women's volleyball), Mason Milkey (baseball), Kate Prudent (women's soccer) and Mehrija Selava (women's soccer).
Unsung Hero Award - Nominated by the coaches given to the senior(s) who made the biggest contribution to the team dynamic, but may have gone unnoticed or not garnered outside attention. The honorees were Keilyn Castillo (women's lacrosse), Holly Chan (women's soccer), Julia Hess (cross country / distance track), James Klinman (cross country / distance track), Aidan Laird (men's swimming), Drew Vannaman (baseball) and Aaron Yuan (men's tennis)
Max Seachris and Lee Coleman Awards - The awards are given annually to the most outstanding senior performer on a men's team and women's team.
Max Seachris Nominees: Dexter Aichele (baseball), Michael Chang (men's swimming), Oscar Harding (men's soccer), Grant Martin (cross country / distance track), Kai Strawn (men's tennis).
Winner: Oscar Harding
Lee Coleman Nominees: Sophia Bigio (cross country / distance track), Klaudi Kyjovska (women's soccer), Kaylie McCracken (women's basketball), Vreni Todd (women's golf), Bella White (women's swimming)
Winner: Kaylie McCracken (women's basketball)
Presidents Award - Awarded to the senior who has the highest cumulative grade-point average through seven semesters of college work. Athlete must have competed for the entire four years of school.
Winner: Julia Hess (cross country / distance track)
R.V. Borleske Award - Awarded to the senior, who participated on a men's team, by recognizing career athletic ability and accomplishments, leadership and sportsmanship qualities and contributions to the campus and community as a whole. The highest award given to a Whitman College student-athlete.
R.V. Borleske Nominees: Michael Chang (men's swimming), Adam Reid (men's soccer), Leo Rivera (baseball)
Winner: Adam Reid (men's soccer)
Mignon Borleske Award - Awarded to the senior, who participated on a women's team, by recognizing career athletic ability and accomplishments, leadership and sportsmanship qualities and contributions to the campus and community as a whole. The highest award given to a Whitman College student-athlete.
Mignon Borleske Nominees: Ashley Joe (women's swimming), Amelia Leopold (women's lacrosse)
Winner: Ashley Joe (women's swimming)
Original source can be found here.