APPLETON, Wis. -- Ten Lawrence University student-athletes were recognized for their achievements at the 2009 Honors Celebration.
The awards and winners follow.
The Ruth Bateman Award is given for excellence in scholarship, athletic ability, and leadership by a woman athlete. Senior Alison Blegen (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay) was given the award in recognition of her strong academic performance and her dedication to the soccer and track teams and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Blegen, a biology major, served as team captain for both soccer and track and earned the maximum nine selections to the Academic All-Midwest Conference team.
The Iden Charles Champion Cup is given for excellence in scholarship, athletic ability, college spirit, and loyalty. Senior Jayce Apelgren (Waterford, Wis./Waterford) was recognized for his strong academic performance and outstanding contributions to the men's basketball team and Department of Athletics. A biology major, Apelgren helped the men's basketball team win three Midwest Conference championships and play in the NCAA Division III Tournament three times. Apelgren was chosen for the all-conference team and the academic all-conference team.
The Oustanding Freshman Athletic Award for Men is given to the freshman male who has made the most outstanding contribution to Lawrence athletics. Peter Brengel (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette) was chosen for his accomplishments on the swimming team. Brengel was named the Swimmer of the Year at the Midwest Conference Championships. He won individual titles in the 100-yard backstroke, the 200 backstroke, and the 100 freestyle. He also broke the conference record in the 100 backstroke.
The Outstanding Freshman Athletic Award for Women is given to the freshman woman who has made the most outstanding contribution to Lawrence athletics. Beth Larson (Maplewood, Minn./Mounds Park Academy) was selected for her achievements on the women's tennis team. Larson compiled a school-record 20-1 record at No. 1 singles and won the top singles flight at the Midwest Conference Championships. Larson led the women's tennis team to a second-place finish in the league.
The Ralph V. Landis Award was established by the Lettermen of Lawrence in honor of Dr. Landis, physician to Lawrence students from 1926-78, and is awarded for outstanding contributions to Lawrence athletics by a senior male athlete. Senior guard Ryan Kroeger (Glendale, Wis./Nicolet) was recognized for his outstanding basketball career. Kroeger received honorable mention on the D3hoops.com All-America team and was named to the All-Midwest Region team for the second consecutive year. The Midwest Conference Player of the Year and a three-time all-conference selection, Kroeger finished his career third on Lawrence's career scoring list with 1,537 points.
The Letterwinner Award is presented by the L Club to those outstanding seniors who have earned eight or more letters. The winners are:
Alison Blegen (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay), soccer and indoor and outdoor track;
Tatiana Bulat (Madison, Wis./West), cross country, volleyball, and indoor and outdoor track;
Greg Haas (Yonkers, N.Y./Harvey), football and indoor and outdoor track;
Rob Lawson (Mosinee, Wis./Schofield D.C. Everest), football and indoor and outdoor track;
Derek Micke (Kaukauna, Wis./Kaukauna), football and indoor and outdoor track;
Lisa Ritland (Lodi, Wis./Lodi), tennis and indoor and outdoor track.
The Charles E. Pond Award for Women is given for all-around athletic ability by a senior woman in two or more sports and for sportsmanship, school spirit, and scholarship. Senior Lisa Ritland (Lodi, Wis./Lodi) won the award for her dedication to academics and her contributions to women's tennis and indoor and outdoor track. A four-year starter in tennis, Ritland had a top finish of second place in singles at the Midwest Conference Championships. She finished tied for fourth with 40 career singles victories. Ritland competed in hurdles and middle distance events for the track team. She also won the Midwest Conference's Ruth Peterson Award, which is given every year to a female student-athlete who has the highest grade point average during their junior year and wins letters in at least two sports.
The Marion Read Award is given for outstanding contributions to Lawrence athletics. Senior Hayley Vatch (Elmhurst, Ill./York) was honored for her dedication, leadership and record-setting performances on the swim team. Vatch is a seven-time Midwest Conference champion and holds the Lawrence and Boldt Natatorium records in both the 1,650-yard freestyle and 1,000 freestyle. She also holds the school record in the 500 freestyle. The 2009 Midwest Conference Swimmer of the Year, Vatch won the 200, 500, and 1,650 freestyles at the conference championships. She also set meet records in all three events and set pool records in the 500 and 1,650 freestyles. She also won conference titles in the 500 and 1,650 freestyles in 2008 and 2007.