U of I announced finalists for Eddleman Award
By: Aaron Bennett
Updated: April 30, 2012
Illinois Sports Information
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) has announced the finalists for the 2012 Dike Eddleman Athlete of the Year,Newcomer of the Year and Fighting Illini Spirit Awards. The finalists will recognized at the annual Fighting Illini Scholar-Athlete Reception Tuesday night, May 1, in the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium.
The award finalists were nominated by their head coaches and selected by a panel of DIA coaches, staff and administrators. The winners of the Fighting Illini Spirit Award, the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor and several leadership and academic awards will be announced at Tuesday's Scholar-Athlete Reception, while winners of the Eddleman Athlete of the Year Awards and Fighting Illini Newcomer of Year Awards will not be announced until mid-June, after the completion of the spring sports seasons.
The Scholar-Athlete Reception is an annual event that recognizes graduating student-athletes and others who have excelled both athletically and academically during the 2011-12 academic year.
2012 Illinois Award Finalists
Dike Eddleman Athlete of the Year | All-time Eddleman Award Winners
Awarded to the male and female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in athletic achievement during the 2011-12 season.
(Dike Eddleman Award winners will be determined following completion of the spring seasons)
Male Finalists | VIDEO
Junior Jordan Blanton (Richmond, Ill.) Wrestling
Senior Luke Guthrie (Quincy, Ill.) Golf
Freshman C.J. Maestas (Corrales, N.M.) Gymnastics
Junior Whitney Mercilus (Akron, Ohio) Football
Senior Dennis Nevolo (Gurnee, Ill.) Tennis
Freshman Jordan Parr (Chillicothe, Ill.) Baseball
Senior Andrew Riley (Kingston, Jamaica) Track & Field
Female Finalists | VIDEO
Sophomore Vanessa DiBernardo (Naperville, Ill.) Soccer
Junior Adrienne GodBold (Chicago, Ill.) Basketball
Senior Kelsey Joannides (Frederick, Md.) Gymnastics
Freshman Ashley Spencer (Indianapolis, Ind.) Track & Field
Senior Colleen Ward (Naperville, Ill.) Volleyball
Fighting Illini Newcomer of the Year | All-time Newcomer of the Year Winners
Best athlete performing in his/her first year of competition at Illinois.
(Newcomer of the Year Award winners will be determined following completion of the spring seasons)
Male Finalists | VIDEO
Freshman Tracy Abrams (Chicago, Ill.) Basketball
Freshman Jesse Delgado (Salinas, Calif.) Wrestling
Freshman Tim Kopinski (Palos Hills, Ill.) Tennis
Freshman C.J. Maestas (Corrales, N.M.) Gymnastics
Freshman Jordan Parr (Chillicothe, Ill.) Baseball
Freshman Brandon Stryganek (Waukegan, Ill.) Track & Field
Female Finalists | VIDEO
Freshman Melissa Kopinski (Palos Hills, Ill.) Tennis
Freshman Liz McMahon (Liberty Township, Ohio) Volleyball
Freshman Alison Meng (Lodi, Wis.) Swimming & Diving
Freshman Jess Perkins (Orland Park, Ill.) Softball
Freshman Stephanie Pouse (Hanover Park, Ill.) Soccer
Freshman Ashley Spencer (Indianapolis, Ind.) Track & Field
Fighting Illini Spirit Awards | All-Time Spirit Award Winners
Student-athletes who exemplify the spirit, courage, effort and dedication of the Fighting Illini.
(The Spirit Award winners will be announced at the Scholar-Athlete Reception on May 1)
Male Finalists | VIDEO
Senior Stanley Azie (Bolingbrook, Ill.) Track & Field
Junior B.J. Futrell (Park Forest, Ill.) Wrestling
Freshman Will Krug (Park Ridge, Ill.) Baseball
Junior Brandon Paul (Gurnee, Ill.) Basketball
Sophomore Nathan Scheelhaase (Kansas City, Mo.) Football
Female Finalists | VIDEO
Senior Amy Allin (Dallas, Texas) Tennis
Senior Jackie Guerra (Plano, TX) Soccer
Senior Rachel Japp Joyce (Mokena, Ill.) Swimming & Diving
Sophomore Kersten Magrum (Mokena, Ill.) Basketball
Senior Kelley Wedel (Anaheim, CA) Softball
