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Hamilton garners top prize at Heron Awards Banquet
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Seraphine Hamilton, the 2006 Marion
Harrison Greene '20 Award winner |
May 3, 2006
GENEVA, N.Y.—The Heron Society and the William Smith Department of Athletics honored the top student-athletes of 2005-06 at the annual Heron Awards Banquet this evening. Senior soccer defender and basketball forward Seraphine Hamilton (The Peddie School/Trenton, N.J.) took home the night’s top award, earning the Marion Harrison Greene ’20 Award as William Smith’s most outstanding senior athlete.
Hamilton is a two-time soccer All-American and a three-time All-Region selection. The three-time All-Liberty League pick was named the 2005 Liberty League Player of the Year after leading the Herons to a 15-2-1 record and a record 17th NCAA Tournament appearance. On the basketball court, Hamilton posted career-highs for scoring average, total rebounds, assists, and steals, while helping that squad earn an NCAA berth.
A highly-accomplished student as well, Hamilton was named to the 2005 NSCAA Scholar All-America first-team. She is a double majoring in Africana Studies and English.
The Winn-Seeley Award was presented to senior field hockey forward Maggie Dolan (Towson/Towson, Md.). The Winn-Seeley Award recognizes an outstanding student-athlete who has contributed to many areas of William Smith athletics.
A two-time All-American and a three-time All-Region selection, Dolan finished her career with 42 goals and 18 assists for 102 points. She ranks eighth in career goals and 11th in career points. Dolan helped the Herons capture back-to-back Liberty League Championships as a junior and a senior. She was a member of William Smith’s Peak Performance Core 20 Team, helping her fellow student-athletes make healthy choices to achieve peak performance and active in many other areas of campus life.
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(Clockwise from top left) Sophie Dennis, Leanne Roncolato, Pria Young, Kate Warner, Seraphine Hamilton, Rebecca Gutwin, Chelsea Rauck, Jenn Davidson, and Jane Erickson. |
The Cynthia Oyler ’93 Award was presented to Jenn Davidson (South Burlington/South Burlington, Vt.) and Pria Young (Council Rock/Richboro, Pa.). The award is presented to the senior who will be continuing her education at the postgraduate level and displays outstanding athletic abilities, excellent academic records, and exemplary leadership.
Davidson is a defender on the Heron lacrosse team. A two-year starter, she helped William Smith to a first place finish in the Liberty League this season while accumulating 31 ground balls, 10 draws, and 10 caused turnovers. A biology major, Davidson plans to become a physician’s assistant.
Young was a two-sport star for the Herons. A four-year starter in both basketball and soccer, she was a 2005 second-team All-Region selection, a first-team All-State pick, and a first-team All-Liberty League honoree in soccer, while leading the team in assists. On the basketball court, Young led William Smith in scoring this season, finishing her career with 995 points, and ranks third in career steals (273) and sixth in career free throw percentage (.765). She is a double major in chemistry and English.
Senior rower Rebecca Gutwin (Champlain Valley Union/Williston, Vt.) was named the Evaleen C. Harrison ’19 Scholar-Athlete Award winner. As a member of the varsity eight, Gutwin has helped William Smith to back-to-back Liberty League Championships. She was a 2004 CRCA All-American and the recipient of the ECAC Award of Valor. A mathematics major, Gutwin will be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honor society in America, later this week.
The Melissa Mulliken ’80 Award for participation, leadership, and off-field endeavors that advance William Smith athletics was presented to junior Leanne Roncolato (Meadville/Meadville, Pa.) and senior Kate Warner (Gould Academy/Gloucester, Mass.).
The cross country team’s top runner over the past two seasons, Roncolato has led the Herons across the finish line in all 19 races she has run. The 2005 All-Liberty Leaguer is very active in the campus and greater Geneva community. She is the community service coordinator of the Latin American Organization and recently organized a voter registration drive in Geneva. Roncolato also has studied in South Africa and interviewed Bishop Desmond Tutu.
A steady and reliable midfielder for the soccer team, Warner was named to the All-Liberty League team this year for the first time. A three-year starter, she finished her career with seven goals and six assists. During the offseason, Warner was instrumental in the growth and success of the William Smith ski club. In addition to managing the club, she also was its top performer, finishing in the top 15 at nationals in the slalom and the giant slalom to earn All-American honors.
Junior field hockey forward Sophie Dennis (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) received the Susan Bassett Award for excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership. In just three seasons, Dennis has scored more goals (61) and compiled more points (147) than any Heron before her. The two-time All-American has twice been named to the NFHCA All-Academic Squad. She is a sports in society major.
Junior lacrosse midfielder Jane Erickson (Douglas County/Castle Rock, Colo.) garnered the Hazel Nettleship Hardy ’65 Award, presented to the student in her middle years who has contributed to the growth of Heron athletics and is an excellent representative of William Smith athletes. Erickson has played in 10 games this season for the lacrosse team and is a positive influence on the team on the field and in the locker room, while her academic achievement and service to the community are extensive.
The Stephanie Christie Award, William Smith’s Rookie of the Year Award, was presented to first-year tennis standout Chelsea Rauck (Columbus School for Girls/Bexley, Ohio). She compiled a 25-5 singles record while playing in the No. 1 slot for the Herons. Rauck’s record is the best by a Heron in the past 10 years. Earlier today, she received an invitation to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
More than 50 student-athletes received awards, including team and individual awards. The evening’s festivities were sponsored by the Heron Society.