Lumberjacks Celebrate Second Annual Awards Night

May 1, 2019

ARCATA, Calif. - The Humboldt State Lumberjacks gathered in the Great Hall Monday evening to celebrate the accomplishments of student-athletes and teams and to recognize the department's outstanding service, scholarship and character awards.

"We started this tradition last year and it has really taken root with our student-athletes, coaches and staff," said Assistant Athletic Director and Master of Ceremonies Andrew Goetz. "This is a fun event that brings us together to recognize what makes a Humboldt State student-athlete special - scholarship, service, character and, of course, athletic accomplishment."

The evening began with recognition of individual accomplishments during the 2018-19 calendar year. Character Awards were given to Ries Ruehrwein (cross country) and Amelia Wagoner (crew). Ruehrwein earned the cross country program's Teammate Award and has helped foster Head Coach Jamey Harris' winning and team-first culture. Wagoner demonstrated the grit and leadership the Character Award embodies through her work fighting sexualized violence and speaking out against sexual assault at the campus, community and state levels.

Mary Elise Conzelmann (crew) took home the Service and Female Scholar-Athlete Awards. Conzelmann, a McKinleyville, Calif., product, serves as the Humboldt County Lemonade Day Coordinator, teaches with the Gifted and Talented Education program at McKinleyville Union School, serves as a participant and committee member for the Humboldt Bike Month and volunteers with the Humboldt Bay Trail Fund, amongst numerous other service activities. The senior is wrapping up her coursework in recreation administration and has compiled an impressive 3.98 GPA while competing with the HSU rowers.

The Male Scholar-Athlete Award went to offensive lineman Clint Schallberger (football). The junior registered a 3.8 GPA in pursuit of his computer science major. Schallberger played in nine games on the offensive line for the Green and Gold.

Brayden Leach (track & field) and Alexia Thrower (women's basketball) took home the Athlete of the Year hardware. Leach was a First Team All-American and advanced to the 2018 Outdoor Track & Field Championships to compete in the 800m. The sophomore won the 800m at the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships, and he broke the 800m record previously held by Jim Bowles, a record that stood for 26 years. Thrower, the CCAA Newcomer of the Year and a First Team All-CCAA selection, was a key piece of the women's basketball team's return appearance in the NCAA West Regional Tournament. She led the Jacks with 15 double-doubles and averaged a team-high 17.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

The men's soccer team collected the Male Team Academic Award with a 3.099 GPA, while the women's team captured the Female Team Academic Award title with a 3.409 GPA.

The Team Spirit Award, which goes to the team that made the biggest difference to another with notable support during the year, went to the softball team. Softball also earned the service award amassing over 850 hours and each Lumberjack softball player completed at least 25 hours of community service or volunteer hours during the 2018-19 year.

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