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June 4, 2003
Corvallis, Ore. - Sophomore Steven Jackson from the football team and junior Birte Steven from the swimming program were selected the Oregon State University Male and Female Athletes of the Year, highlighting the fifth annual Bennys Awards Wednesday at the LaSells Stewart Center on campus. The event culminated the 2002-2003 athletic year.
Jackson, a two-year letterman, led the Pac-10 Conference and finished eighth in the nation for rushing with 1,690 yards. His total set a new school mark for single season yardage. The Las Vegas, Nev., native earned first team All-Pac-10 Conference as well as third team and honorable mention All-American honors at the conclusion of the year. Jackson galloped for 239 yards, the second-highest mark in OSU history, in the victory over California. For the season, he topped 100 yards rushing in nine of 12 contests.
Steven is the most successful swimmer in OSU history. The Hannover, Germany native placed sixth at the NCAA Championships in the 200 breastroke, the highest ever finish for a Beaver in any event. She also captured All-American honors in the 100 breaststroke. Steven owns school records in both events and in the 200 individual medley. She also holds OSU top 10 marks in four other events.
Teams of the Year Bennys were awarded to the men's soccer and women's gymnastics programs. The men's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history after posting a record 13 victories. The team led the Pac-10 Conference in every major offensive statistical category. The gymnastics team advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the 29th consecutive year after defeating three top 6 opponents, and narrowly missed a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Championships. The team also posted the program's first 24-for-24 performance since 1996. This is the fourth consecutive year the gymnastics program has captured this Benny.
Dana Taylor of men's soccer received the Male Sport Coach of the Year Benny while Kirk Walker of softball accepted the Female Sport Coach of the Year Benny. Taylor guided the 2002 team to its most successful season since the debut of the program in 1988, and for his efforts he was tabbed the Pac-10 Conference Co-Coach of the Year. Walker earned this Benny for the second time in his career - he was also the recipient in 1999. The softball team defeated 12 top-25 clubs and advanced to an NCAA Regional title game.
The late Joe Zaher of men's soccer and Chrissy Lamun of gymnastics were selected the Male and Female Newcomers of the Year. Zaher was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and to the Soccer America and College Soccer News Freshman All-American teams. Zaher's production of 25 points was the most ever by a Beaver freshman. Lamun became the first OSU freshman performer to ever score a 10 when she earned a Pac-10 co-championship on floor. She is only the third individual in school history to be perfect on floor and the fifth to win a conference title on the event. Following the awards presentation, Director of Athletics Bob De Carolis announced that the male award will be renamed the Joe Zaher Male Newcomer of the Year.
The Robert Byers Spirit Award was awarded to the Executive Board of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. The SAAC board was instrumental in organizing numerous community outreach appearances for individuals and teams.
Jed Pennell from wrestling and Monica Hoffman from softball were recipients of the Male and Female Performance of the Year Bennys. Pennell, a junior from Cave Junction, was forced into service at 184 pounds and in his debut earned a pin over a wrestler from No. 3 Oklahoma, before he defeated the No. 9 wrestler in the nation from Oklahoma State one day later with a reversal in the final seconds. Hoffman, from Vancouver, Wash., won the award for the second straight year. The junior pitched the team to four consecutive victories, including over No. 10 Florida State, at the NCAA Regionals. She earned the Co-MVP honors of the Regional.
Men's and women's soccer players Ross Duncan of Corvallis and Ashley Johnston of Puyallup, Wash., were honored with the Glenn Klein Community Service Bennys. Both Duncan and Johnston volunteered over 120 hours during the year.
The Martin Chaves Lifetime Achievement Benny was presented to former head football coach and athletic director Dee Andros. The 78-year-old Andros first came to OSU in 1965 as the head football coach, replacing Tommy Prothro. He spent 11 years as the head coach, leading the program to some of its most memorable victories and seasons. His 1967 "Giant Killers" team is arguably the most famous football team in OSU history. He served as the school's athletic director from 1975-85 and currently serves as a special assistant for the Beaver Athletic Student Fund.
Bennys were also awarded to six All-Americans, two Pacific-10 Conference champions, and 16 scholar-athletes.
The 2002-2003 BENNYS AWARDS Male Athlete of the Year: Steven Jackson (football) Female Athlete of the Year: Birte Steven (swimming) Male Newcomer of the Year: Joe Zaher (soccer) Female Newcomer of the Year: Chrissy Lamun (gymnastics) Male Performance of the Year: Jed Pennell (wrestling) Female Performance of the Year:Monica Hoffman (softball) Male Sport Coach of the Year: Dana Taylor (soccer) Female Sport Coach of the Year: Kirk Walker (softball) Male Team of the Year: Soccer Female Team of the Year: Gymnastics Robert Byers Spirit Award: Executive Board of SAAC Glenn Klein Community Service Awards: Ross Duncan (soccer), Ashley Johnston (soccer) Martin Chaves Lifetime Achievement Award: Dee AndrosAll-Americans: Naya Higashijima (swimming), Steven Jackson (football), Aaron McHardy (soccer -- academic), Birte Steven (swimming), Dennis Weathersby (football), Julia White-Hoppe (crew)
Scholar Athletes of the Year: Nate Brentano (football), Clay Carnahan (soccer), Stephen Copeland (baseball), Morgan Crabtree (soccer), Sean Deacon (golf), Paula Finlay (swimming), Kathleen Freeborn (crew), Tami Halleck (volleyball), Aaron McHardy (soccer), John Miller (football), Katrina Nelson (volleyball), Jed Pennell (wrestling), Lynn Simmons (crew), Andy Wheeler (crew), Curt Willener (wrestling), David Williams (golf
