North Carolina State University Athletics
Athletics Holds Annual Awards Banquet
7/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 23, 2003
The Wolfpack Family joined together Tuesday evening at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh to recognize its student-athletes for their success during the year. Twenty-three individuals were recognized as their respective team's most valuable performers. Cross Country and Track super-star Kristin Price and 2003 Heisman candidate Philip Rivers were given NC State's highest athletic honor, receiving the H.C. Kennett award, and women's tennis' Jennifer Jassawalla received the Kay Yow Award.
The H.C. Kennett award was established by the Kennett Family in memory of its namesake, a 1424 graduate of NC State and president of the Wolfpack Club from 1948-1962. It is given annually to a superior athlete who demonstrates the finest attributes of good sportsmanship and team play.
Price's list of accomplishments go on and on, but her biggest moment thus far came at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in 2002. She was crowned NCAA Champion in the 10,000 meters, finishing in a time of 34:26.63. She went on to capture All-America honors in the 5,000 meters, and was also crowned ACC Champion in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in the 2002 season. During the 2003 Indoor Track season, Price captured the 3,000 and 5,000 meter ACC titles and went on to finish fifth in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA Indoor Track Championships.
Rivers is on track to shatter every passing record in NC State history, he could become the all-time ACC passing leader before his career is over as well. He ranks second in NC State history, sixth in ACC history and third among returning players nationally in career passing yards. He has already set the school record and ranks fourth in league history, in career touchdown responsibility with 75. Rivers has posted a 26-12 career record as a starter, the top mark in the nation for a junior.
Jassawalla was awarded the Kay Yow Award, an endowed scholarship awarded by the Wolfpack Club to the woman who most exhibits the characteristics of the ideal complete student-athlete. Jassawalla is the chairperson for the Student-Athlete Advisor Committee, and has volunteered throughout the year for different outreach programs. She maintains a 3.6 grade point average in biomedical engineering, while making valuable contributions to the women's tennis team. During her three-year career with the Wolfpack, she has posted a .544 winning percentage and ranks seventh all-time on the career winning percentage list.
The Women's Golf and Basketball teams were co-recipients of the Todd Dunston Community Service Award. Both teams have supported numerous philanthropies over the course of the year, including GWIS and Habitat for Humanity, while participating in Wolfpack Blitz, a program that sends student-athletes into the local schools to teach elements such as character education.
Along the same lines, the ACC Top Six for Service Award was given to Sarah Davis (Women's Golf), Phillip Davidson (Baseball), Kaayla Chones (Women's Basketball), Chrissie Ingle (Ms. Wuf), Freddie Aughtry-Lindsey (Football) and Danny Young (Football). Young was also noted as the individual who has complete more hours of community service than any other Wolfpack student-athlete.
Football's JJ Washington gave a brief but powerful message towards the end of the banquet, emphasizing the importance of an education and stressing to his fellow students that they should take every opportunity that crosses their path in order to succeed. Washington has opted to forego his final year of eligibility on the football field, and will graduate in May to pursue work in the ministry.
Sport MVPs:
Baseball (Vic Sorell Award): Brian Wright (2002)
Men' Basketball (Jon Speaks Award): Will Roach (Best Teammate)
Women's Basketball: Kaayla Chones
Cheerleading: Robin Abernathy & Josh Trammel
Men's Cross Country: David Patterson
Women's Cross Country: Josianne Lauber
Football (Governor's Award): Philip Rivers, Terrence Holt, Dantonio Burnette
Men's Golf (2002): Garth Mulroy
Women's Golf (2002): Colby Cobb
Gymnastics: Marlyn Madey
Rifle: Joe Upton
Men's Soccer: Daivd Snoke
Women's Soccer (Robin Merlock Memorial): Adrienne Barnes
Men's Swimming & DIving (Casey Award): Steven Cowling
Women's Swimming & Diving (Casey Award): Molly Culberson
Men's Tennis: Val Banada
Women's Tennis: Loni Worsley
Men's Indoor Track & Field: Jesse Williams
Women's Indoor Track & Field: Kelly Smoke
Men's Outdoor Track & Field: Ryan Woods
Women's Outdoor Track & Field: Kristin Price
Volleyball: Maya Mapp
Wrestling (Al Crawford Award): George Cintron
Student Trainer (Jim Manly Award): Allison Menugh
