COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Ursinus athletics department held the second annual URSPYS Award Show at Helfferich Hall on Sunday night. The show continued to serve as the closing ceremony that honors the top student-athletes with the outstanding senior and rookie awards, while handing out special awards to the best and the brightest for the 2022-23 academic and athletic year.
Ursinus Women's Track & Field's Isabelle Deal was named the Female Senior MVP behind completing a decorated collegiate career that currently includes two All-American selections in the Javelin and will go for a third in May after already locking up a spot in the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Terry Adams of Ursinus Men's Wrestling took home the Male Senior MVP after polishing his collegiate career with two NCAA Championship appearances, one Mideast Regional title, and reaching the 125 lb. Centennial Conference final three times with taking home gold in 2020.
Ursinus Women's Swimmer Melissa Leonard garnered the Most Outstanding Female Athlete for 2022-23 behind earning the Centennial Conference's Most Outstanding Swimmer for the season and Most Outstanding Performer at the 2023 Centennial Conference Championships. Leonard also qualified for the NCAA Championship Meet for the first time in her career in three events. Ursinus Men's Track & Field's Isaiah Battle was named the Most Outstanding Male Athlete for 2022-23 after dominating the indoor and outdoor seasons. Battle was named the Centennial Most Outstanding T&F Field Performer for the indoor season and has racked up three school records plus two Centennial Conference records.
Here are the rest of the special award winners:
Female Rookie of the Year – Kalli Roskos, Women's Soccer and Wrestling
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 – Nick Nocito, Men's Basketball
Awarded to the male first year student-athlete who has excelled in athletics during their first year as an Ursinus Bear.
Male and Female Defensive Players of the Year – Ethan Belville, Football and Kaela Frenchman, Women's Soccer
Ehret and Ronald C. Kichline Prizes –
Ehret: Isaiah Battle, Men's Track & Field; Rachel Conhoff, Women's Track & Field; Isabelle Deal, Women's Track & Field; Jordan Moore, Field Hockey/Softball; Tyler Neal, Men's Lacrosse, Daniel Tabor, Men's Track & Field
Ronald C.: Terry Adams, Men's Wrestling; Katie Cressman, Women's Volleyball; Alyssa DeLorme, Gymnastics; Ryan Hughes, Men's Basketball; Jack Psenicska, Football.
Awarded to senior student-athletes who excelled in athletics during their time at Ursinus.
Linda McIntyre Award – Maeve Montgomery, Field Hockey
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 – Holly Chambers, Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
Awarded to a senior woman who exemplifies the best in college life; athletically, socially, and scholastically.
Best Bear Award – Samantha Campo, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Operations
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 Volleyball
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 – Amanda Groeling (Field Hockey) overtime-winning goal against perennial power Lynchburg at home.
Awarded to the Ursinus student-athlete who made the most exciting individual play during an athletic competition this year.
Most Outstanding Athletic Performance Award – Jack Psenicska (Football) school record six touchdown passes against Gettysburg
Honors the student-athlete who had the best overall individual athletic performance in a single varsity competition this year.
Director of Athletics Award – Nick Diaz, Baseball
Honors a student-athlete who exemplifies perseverance, loyalty, and spirit to their team and Ursinus College and is a positive influence on their teammates.
