Juniata Celebrates Successes of Student-Athletes at Award Night
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – It was a night of reflection for the Juniata College athletics department as student-athletes recounted their seasons and the Big Five awards were announced at the annual Athletic Awards Night Sunday evening.
The Big Five recipients (left to right): Kate McDonald, Brandon Felus, Brian Scholly, Alex McColgin, Rachelle Wiegand
By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu •
juniatasports.net
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – It was a night of reflection for the Juniata College athletics department as student-athletes recounted their seasons and the Big Five awards were announced at the annual Athletic Awards Night Sunday evening.
In the 2013-14 athletic year, Juniata earned over 50 all-conference nods, 11 conference player of the year awards, seven all-region selections and six All-America team honors. But it hasn’t be all about excelling in competition. Juniata student-athletes earned nearly 70 conference academic honor roll awards, three programs received team academic awards, and three Eagles were named to Capital One Academic All-District teams.
Programs were also successful. Juniata won three conference championships, earned 10 postseason appearances, and was a national runner-up. The fall saw Juniata atop the Landmark Conference President’s Cup standings, both men’s and women’s soccer teams post the most wins in program history, three coaches were named conference coach of the year, and football earned its first postseason berth since the 1973 national championship game.
The action continued in the winter with women’s swimming breaking eight program records and receiving the most All-Landmark selections in program history, four basketball student-athletes joined the 1-K club, and men’s basketball repeated as Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) champions.
From baseball and softball starting the year down in sunny Florida, to championship Sunday with men’s tennis hosting the Landmark Conference title match and men’s volleyball competing for a national championship, the spring was also eventful.
Each team had a representative present to the audience a recap of their respective season before the team’s most valuable player was revealed. The night ended with the presentation of the Big Five awards. This year’s recipients are shining examples of how successful, hard working and determined the class of 2014 has been over the course of their careers.
Brian Scholly, Men’s Basketball
The Blood Award is presented to the senior student-athlete who has
earned the highest grade point average combined with significant
athletic achievement. This year’s recipient defines
student-athlete through their commitment to excellence, hard work,
and focus in the classroom. Head men’s basketball coach
Greg Curley said, “I have always felt that the qualities that
make you successful as a student are the same that make you
successful as a basketball player and vice versa. His success
both on the court and in the class room are the result of a great
deal of hard work, a ton of sacrifice, and a commitment to
excellence.” Scholly scored his 1,000th
career point during the 2013-14 athletic season. He was named
to the Capital One Academic All-District team and was the Landmark
Senior Scholar-Athlete for men’s basketball.
Alex McColgin, Men’s Volleyball
The Smaltz Award is named for former Juniata football coach
Bill Smaltz, and is presented to a senior who has demonstrated hard
work and perseverance in his or her athletic endeavors. This
year’s recipient has overcome incredible obstacles and
hardships during his career. Head men’s volleyball
coach Pat Shawaryn said, “Alex is the type of player every
coach dreams of. His hard work and dedication over the last
four years has been the foundation to the winning tradition for the
men’s volleyball program.” McColgin was named a
Second-Team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches
Association before helping lead the team to the NCAA national
championship match. The All-Continental Volleyball Conference
selection led the team in kills and finished third in digs.
Rachelle Wiegand, Women’s Volleyball
The Stambaugh Award, named after former women’s volleyball
player Carolyn “Smiley” Stambaugh, one of only four
former Juniata athletes to have a jersey retired in their
honor. The award, established by Carolyn’s friends, is
presented annually to a women athlete who exemplifies
Carolyn’s values of a winning attitude, self-confidence,
concern for others, high sense of values, and enthusiasm for
life. It is an award about character, doing all the things to
be a good teammate, a good student, and an outstanding member of
the Juniata community. It’s about doing all those
things not with the expectation of accolade or acclaim, but because
they are the right things to do. This year’s recipient
embodies the award exactly. Head women’s volleyball
coach Heather Pavlik said, “I always describe her as being
sunshine on a cloudy day. She never seems to have a bad
day. Her energy and enthusiasm for everything in life is
amazing. With her caring and compassionate disposition, great work
ethic and competitive spirit, she was a wonderful role model for
her team and this campus over the last years.” Wiegand
appeared in all 36 matches, missing only six of the team’s
125 sets played.
Kate McDonald, Women’s Basketball
The Bargerstock Award is presented annually to the graduating
senior woman selected as having made the greatest contribution to
athletics. This year’s recipient has etched her name
forever in the record books. McDonald sits top 10 in nearly
every statistical category and has earned nearly every award
possible. Head women’s basketball coach Danny
Young-Uhrich said she “made an immediate impact on the
program freshman year and never looked back. Her athleticism
and work ethic elevated the program’s expectation to not only
compete within the conference, but regionally and
nationally.” McDonald became only the third Juniata
basketball player in program history, male or female, to earn 1,000
career points and 1,000 career rebounds.
Brandon Felus, Football
The Mickle Award is presented to the senior male athlete who has
made the greatest contribution to Juniata athletics over his
career, and Felus’ career has been something to behold.
Always striving for excellence over the course of his four years,
he understood there was no such thing as an overnight success. Head
football coach Tim Launtz called him “one of the most
dominant players to ever pay in the league. Not just for one
season, but over his entire career. He did not allow others
to define him or his teammates and led by never giving up and
always improving. The program is better because of his
commitment and standard of play, but we are all better people
because of having the opportunity to know him.” Felus
is the first Juniata football player to earn All-America honors
from two different organizations in the same year since 1999.
The ECAC South and Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the
Year finished his season ranked 13th nationally in pass
sacks and 27th in tackles for a loss.
2013 Fall
Men’s Cross Country: Nate
Alter
Women’s Cross Country: Katrina Woods
Field Hockey: Emma Dahmus
Football: Kevin Gorman (Defensive)
Football: Ward Udinski (Offensive)
Men’s Soccer: Seth Ruggiero
Women’s Soccer: Lillian Dudek
Women’s Volleyball: Amy Miller
2013-14 Winter
Men’s Basketball: Jeremy Hays
Women’s Basketball: Kate McDonald
Women’s Swimming: Hillary Palmer
Cheerleading: Marissa Dougherty
2014 Spring
Baseball: Joe Sforza
Softball: Paige Dennison
Men’s Tennis: Elliott Perow
Women’s Tennis: Megan Phillips
Men’s Track and Field: Tyler Mandley
Women’s Track and Field: Katrina Woods
Men’s Volleyball: Ben Krouse
Follow Your Eagles! Stay up-to-date on your Juniata College Eagles by logging onto www.juniatasports.net. And don’t forget to follow us on twitter (@JuniataEagles) and on Facebook (Juniata Eagles).