Bennys Finalists for Performances and Teams of the Year Announced
May 28, 2003
Corvallis, Ore. - Finalists for the Fifth Annual Bennys Awards at Oregon State University in the categories of Male and Female Performance of the Year and Male and Female Team of the Year were announced Wednesday by Director of Athletics Bob De Carolis. The Bennys recognize the outstanding achievements of the school's student-athletes and coaches during the 2002-2003 academic year.
The candidates for the Male Performance of the Year award include Derek Anderson and Steven Jackson of football, Philip Ricci of basketball, Jed Pennell of wrestling, and Aaron Mathews of baseball. Female Performance of the Year candidates include Courtney Carter of soccer, Hollye Chapman of basketball, Monica Hoffman of softball, and Chrissy Lamun and Elizabeth Jillson of gymnastics.
The squads in contention for the Male Team of the Year are soccer, golf, and football. Gymnastics, swimming, and softball are under consideration for the Female Team of the Year.
The Bennys are scheduled for Wed., June 4 at the Parker Plaza beginning at 5 p.m. with the Training Table Reception. Food, music, and games are featured at the Plaza, plus it's your opportunity to become acquainted with the school's student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. The awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m. at the LaSells Stewart Center with a Fifth Quarter Get-Together (dessert) immediately following.
Tickets are $25 for all three events, or free for the awards ceremony only, but they must be obtained before May 30. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Beaver Athletic Student Fund at (541) 737-2370 or in person at 123 Gill Coliseum.
Male Performance of the Year Finalists
Derek Anderson, So., Scappoose, OR (football) Anderson threw for 370 yards, the sixth-highest mark in school history, and four touchdowns in the Civil War victory over Oregon. His touchdown passes included a 69-yard toss to Steven Jackson and a 40-yard pass to James Newson.
Steven Jackson, Jr., Las Vegas, NV (football) Steven Jackson rushed for 239 yards, the second-highest total in OSU history, in the victory over California. He also scored three touchdowns and set the Reser Stadium rushing record.
Philip Ricci, Sr., Galt, CA (basketball) Philip scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the program's first victory at UCLA since 1988. He was 10-for-16 from the field, 6 of 7 from the free throw line, and added three blocked shots.
Jed Pennell, Jr., Cave Junction, OR (wrestling) Pennell was forced to move up to the 184-pound weight class (from 165) and made a stellar debut. In his first two matches he scored pins over wrestlers from national powerhouses Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
Aaron Mathews, So., John Day, OR (baseball) Mathews came back from an early season injury to earn Pac-10 Player of the Week honors in early April after batting .550 with 11 hits, two home runs, two doubles, eight RBI, five runs scored, and a stolen base. He tied the school record with a 5-for-5 performance against Washington State.
Female Performance of the Year Finalists
Courtney Carter, Jr., West Linn, OR (soccer) Courtney scored three goals in a span of just over 10 minutes in a home victory over Air Force. Her final two goals of the hat trick came at a school record pace of 1:23.
Hollye Chapman, Jr., Cottage Grove, OR (basketball) Chapman equaled her career-high with 22 points in an upset of nationally ranked Washington at Gill Coliseum. She also had nine rebounds, five assists, and shot 8 of 11 from the field.
Monica Hoffman, Jr., Vancouver, WA (softball) Monica hurled OSU to the NCAA Regional title game in Florida by earning four consecutive victories on the mound. While battling injuries, she defeated two nationally ranked clubs at the tournament, earning Co-MVP Regional honors.
Chrissy Lamun, Fr., Reno, NV (gymnastics) Lamun was the Pac-10 co-champion on the floor with a perfect 10.0. She is the first Beaver freshman to notch a perfect score and the second OSU freshman to win a conference title.
Elizabeth Jillson, Sr., Herald, CA (gymnastics) Elizabeth scored a perfect 10.0 on the bar routine to share the Pac-10 title. She is only the fifth athlete in OSU history to earn a perfect mark on the bars.
Male Team of the Year
Soccer Under the leadership of Dana Taylor, the program advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in its history. The team set a school record for victories with 13 and led the Pac-10 Conference in every major offensive statistical category. Seven student-athletes earned postseason recognition and Taylor was named the Co-Coach of the Year in the conference.
Football The program played in a postseason game for the third time in four years, competing in the Insight Bowl in Phoenix. The team produced the Pac-10 Conference's top tackler in Nick Barnett, the top running back in Steven Jackson, and OSU's single season passing yardage record holder Derek Anderson.
Golf The Beavers advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament for the fifth time in seven years. The team shot a school record 11-under 277 at the Pacific Invitational led by Daren Grieg's 9-under 207 - the third lowest mark in OSU history. Individuals shot a total of 40 rounds of under par, the second-lowest total in school history. Cameron MacKenzie was a standout at the Pac-10 Championships finishing tied for sixth.
Female Team of the Year
Gymnastics The team defeated three top-six clubs and had its first 24-for-24 performance in one meet for the first time since 1996. Chrissy Lamun and Elizabeth Jillson won Pac-10 titles with perfect 10s. Seven different gymnasts won at least one individual title.
Swimming OSU's 25th place showing was the program's highest ever, and this without fielding a diving team. Birte Steven and Naya Higashijima were both All-Americans for their efforts at the NCAA Champiosnhips. The team also tied the school record for dual meet victories with 12.
Softball The team made its fifth consecutive NCAA Regional Tournament appearance, appearing in the title game after winning four consecutive contests, two over nationally ranked clubs. Seven single season marks and five single game marks were broken by the team.
