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June 12, 2003
STANFORD, Calif. - The Stanford Athletic Board honored the university's top student-athletes at its annual awards luncheon on Thursday afternoon at Burnham Pavilion.
The event was highlighted by women's water polo's Jackie Frank receiving the board's highest honor --- The Al Masters Award --- for attaining the highest standards of athletic performance, leadership and academic achievement.
Frank, who is one of the top women's water polo goalkeepers in the world, was twice named the American Water Polo Coaches Association National Division I Player of the Year. The three-time First-Team All-American also helped Stanford to its first-ever national championship in women's water polo in 2002. Frank, a two-time Academic All-American who owns a cumulative grade point average of 3.44, will graduate on Sunday with a degree in Human Biology.
The Donald Kennedy Award - presented to the senior athletes who best exhibit the combination of excellent academics, strong athletic ability and a commitment to community service - was shared by Marshall Erwin of men's gymnastics and Taylor Graham of men's soccer. Erwin was the 2002 NCAA Champion in the rings, and concluded his career as a three-time All-American. In the community, Erwin, who owns a 3.43 cumulative grade point average and will graduate with degrees in Computer Science and Philosophy, volunteered with the Cub Scouts of America, Relay For Life, the Youth Olympics and numerous local gymnastics programs. Graham arrived at Stanford as a walk-on, and developed into a First-Team All-Pac-10 selection and two-year starter. The three-time First-Team Pac-10 All-Academic selection owns a cumulative grade point average of 3.85, and will graduate on Sunday with a Bachelors degree in International Relations and a Master's degree in Sociology. He volunteered with the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital, the Yes Reading Program and local elementary schools and soccer clubs.
The Stanford Athletic Board Award for outstanding female senior was shared by Lauren Fleshman of cross country and track and field and Logan Tom of volleyball. Fleshman is a 14-time All-American and four-time NCAA Champion, including to back-to-back outdoor national titles in the 5,000 meters. She finished in the top five at the NCAA Cross Country Championship on three occasions, and served as both a track and cross country team captain. Tom, who is currently playing with the United States National Team, was twice named the American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Year. She was also a four-time First-Team All-American and two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year.
The Biff Hoffman Award for outstanding male senior was shared by Randall Bal of swimming, Todd Dunivant of soccer and Ryan Garko of baseball. Bal finished his career as a 21-time All-American and five-time NCAA Champion. He will represent the United States at the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. Dunivant was named a First-Team All-American in 2002 after anchoring a Stanford defense that allowed just 15 goals in 24 matches this season en route to a berth in the NCAA Final. He is now a member of the San Jose Earthquakes. Garko, who was drafted in the third round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft by the Cleveland Indians, enters the College World Series with a .411 batting average, 18 home runs and 88 RBI. He was a named 2003 First-Team All-American and Pac-10 Co-Player of the Year.
The Pam Strathairn Award for most competitive female senior was presented to Sabrina Kolker of crew and Marcia Wallis of soccer. Kolker earned First-Team All-America honors this spring as she led the Cardinal women's varsity eight to its first-ever Pac-10 Championship and a third place finish at the NCAA Championship. Kolker, who served as team captain the last three seasons, is a three-time First-Team All-West Region and First-Team All-Pac-10 selection. Wallis earned First-Team All-America accolades in 2002 and was a finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club's Herman Trophy, which is given to the top female collegiate soccer player in the nation. She was also named the 2002 Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year.
The Jake Gimbel Award for most competitive male senior went to Milton Little of track and field and David Martin of tennis. Little arrived on The Farm as an unrecruited walk-on, but will graduate as a Pac-10 champion and two-time team captain. He won the 2002 Pac-10 title in the long jump, and ranks in the top 10 in school history in the 100 meters, 200 meters and the long jump. Martin concluded his collegiate career as a three-time All-American and was the 2003 Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Co-Senior of the Year. As a junior in 2002, Martin reached both the NCAA Doubles Final and the NCAA Singles Semifinals.
The Block "S" Honors Award, which recognizes the male and female senior letterwinners with the highest cumulative grade point average, went to Ashley Ensign of synchronized swimming and Kenneth Wee of fencing. Ensign, who owns a cumulative grade point average of 3.80, is a double-major in Economics and Public Policy. She is a three-time Academic All-American, in addition to finishing second in the team competition at the 2003 U.S. Collegiate Championship. Wee owns a 3.83 cumulative grade point average, and will graduate on Sunday with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a Bachelor of Science in Management Science and Engineering. Wee was a member of the men's sabre team that finished first at the 2003 NCAA West Regional.
The Thomas W. Ford Award, which is presented to the team whose student-athletes have demonstrated a special commitment to participation in community outreach programs, was given to the men's soccer program for the second consecutive year. Coach Bret Simon's program is involved with the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital and the Yes Reading Program, as well as local elementary schools and youth soccer programs.
Attached is a complete listing of the 2002-03 Stanford Athletic Board Award recipients:
The Al Masters Award - Presented to the Stanford athlete attaining the highest standards of athletic performance, leadership and academic achievement (highest award).
Jackie Frank (women's water polo)
The Biff Hoffman Award - Outstanding male senior.
Randall Bal (swimming), Todd Dunivant (soccer) and Ryan Garko (baseball)
The Stanford Athletic Board Award - Outstanding female senior.
Lauren Fleshman (cross country and track and field) and Logan Tom (volleyball)
The Jake Gimbel Award - Best competitive attitude - male senior.
Milton Little (track and field) and David Martin (tennis)
The Pam Strathairn Award - Best competitive attitude - female senior.
Sabrina Kolker (crew) and Marcia Wallis (soccer)
The Block "S" Honors Award for Men - Senior letterwinner with highest cumulative GPA.
Kenneth Wee (fencing) 3.83 GPA
The Block "S" Honors Award for Women - Senior letterwinner with highest cumulative GPA.
Ashley Ensign (synchronized swimming) 3.80 GPA
Conference Male Athlete of the Year - Presented to a Stanford athlete who distinguishes himself in conference competition.
Julius Barnes (basketball), Kwame Harris (football) and Louis Luchini (cross country and track and field)
Conference Female Athlete of the Year - Presented to a Stanford athlete who distinguishes herself in Conference Competition.
Nicole Barnhart (soccer) and Dana Sorensen (softball)
Block "S Outstanding Male Junior Award Peter Marshall (swimming), Carlos Quentin (baseball) and Grant Robison (cross country and track and field)
Block "S Outstanding Female Junior Award
Tara Kirk (swimming), Nicole Powell (basketball) and Brenda Villa (water polo)
Block "S" Outstanding Male Sophomore Award
Tony Azevedo (water polo)
Block "S" Outstanding Female Sophomore Award
Alicia Craig (cross country and track and field), Ogonna Nnamani (volleyball) and Kelsey Twist (lacrosse)
Block "S" Outstanding Male Freshman Award
KC Corkery (tennis), Brian Haines (sailing) and Mark Romanczuk (baseball)
Block "S" Outstanding Female Freshman Award
Natalie Foley (gymnastics) and Amber Liu (tennis)
Donald Kennedy Award - Presented to the senior athlete who best exhibits the combination of excellent academics, strong athletic ability and a commitment to community service.
Marshall Erwin (men's gymnastics) and Taylor Graham (men's soccer)
Thomas W. Ford Award - Presented to the team whose student-athletes have demonstrated a special commitment to participation in local community outreach.
Men's Soccer