COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Ursinus athletics department held the first annual URSPYS Award Show at the Floy Lewis Bakes Center Fieldhouse on Sunday night. The show served as the new closing ceremony that honored the top student-athletes with the outstanding senior and rookie awards, while handing out special awards to the best and the brightest for the 2021-22 academic and athletic year.
Ursinus Women's Swimmer, Sophie Lear, was named the Most Outstanding Female Athlete behind completing her decorated collegiate career with five gold medals at the 2022 Centennial Championships and earning her second Most Outstanding Women's Swimmer award. Senior Tyler Reilly of the Ursinus Men's Track & Field team was named the Most Outstanding Male Athlete award after winning four gold medals during the 2022 Centennial Men's Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Here are the rest of the special award winners:
Female Rookie of the Year - Chinwe Irondi, Women's Basketball
Awarded to the female first year student-athlete who has excelled in athletics during their first year as an Ursinus Bear.
Male Rookie of the Year – Brody Myers, Men's Track & Field
Awarded to the male first year student-athlete who has excelled in athletics during their first year as an Ursinus Bear.
Ehret and Ronald C. Kichline Prizes –
Ehret: Devon Carroll, Field Hockey; Sophie Lear, Women's Swimming; Tyler Reilly, Men's Track & Field
Ronald C.: Mackenzie Brennan, Softball; Ryan Carkhuff, Men's Swimming
Awarded to senior student-athletes who excelled in athletics during their time at Ursinus.
Linda McIntyre Award – Melissa Leonard, Women's Swimming; Maddie Solow, Softball
Awarded to a sophomore woman who, during her freshman and sophomore years, demonstrates initiative in financing her education, proficiency and perseverance in intercollegiate athletics and a cooperative and unselfish attitude in women's sports.
Olive Sergeant Hamm Award – Erin McIlhenny, Field Hockey
Awarded to a senior woman who exemplifies the best in college life; athletically, socially, and scholastically.
Best Bear Award – Cecily Scavicchio, Head Volleyball Coach
Honors a staff member of Ursinus Athletics (Team Ursinus), who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, a willingness to provide exceptional service, and has gone above and beyond to support the Ursinus College Department of Athletics.
Team Community Service Award – Ursinus Women's Lacrosse
Honors the varsity sports program that achieves the most significant contributions and notable community service to the college and local communities throughout the academic year.
Play of the Year Award – Marco Grenda (Men's Soccer) overtime winning goal against then-ranked No. 24 and eventual Centennial Conference Men's Soccer Champion, Washington College
Awarded to the Ursinus student-athlete who made the most exciting individual play during an athletic competition this year.
Most Outstanding Athletic Performance Award – Ryan Bodolus (Football) school record six sacks against Dickinson.
Honors the student-athlete who had the best overall individual athletic performance in a single varsity competition this year.
Director of Athletics Award – Brandon Slaboda, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Honors a student-athlete who exemplifies perseverance, loyalty, and spirit to their team and Ursinus College and is a positive influence on their teammates.