Bennys History - Oregon State University Athletics

The Bennys is an annual event at Oregon State University that culminates the academic and athletic year. The Bennys recognize student-athletes, coaches, administrators, teams, and friends of the athletic department for their excellence on and off the fields of play, and for their support throughout the year.

The Bennys ceremony begins at Parker Plaza, located between Gill Coliseum and Reser Stadium, with hors d’oeuvres and games. The official ceremony is located at LaSells Stewart Center, located just east of Reser Stadium.

The event is open to the public. Ticket prices are announced approximately a month before the early June ceremony.

THE BENNYS (Year Presented)

ALL-AMERICANS

This Benny is presented to the individuals who achieved All-American status (includes Academic) during the academic year.

Anthony Arvidson (golf, 2001)

Tarrah Beyster (softball, 1999, 2000)

Inoke Breckterfield (football, 1999)

Brandon Browner (football, 2004)

Dallas Buck (baseball, 2005, 2006)

Mitch Canham (baseball, 2007)

Nathan Coy (wrestling, 2002)

Anna Crandall (swimming, 2007)

Lara Degenhardt (gymnastics, 2000, 2001)

Jacoby Ellsbury (baseball, 2005)

Mari Embertson (swimming, 2004)

Cole Gillespie (baseball, 2006)

Alan Gordon (soccer, 2004)

DeLawrence Grant (football, 2001)

Kevin Gunderson (baseball, 2006)

Saori Haraguchi (swimming, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Mike Hass (football, 2005, 2006)

Naya Higashijima (swimming, 2002, 2003)

Vanessa Iapala (softball, 2004)

Brittney Iverson (swimming, 2007)

Steven Jackson (football, 2003)

Elizabeth Jillson (gymnastics, 2002)

Eric Jorgensen (wrestling, 2001)

Jen Kesler (gymnastics, 2008)

Aaron Koch (football, 2000)

Yuki Lamb (gymnastics, 2008)

Chrissy Lamun (gymnastics, 2006)

Jami Lanz (gymnastics, 2007, 2008)

Daniel Leach (soccer, 2006)

Caroline Liebinger (rowing, 2006)

Brianne McGowan (softball, 2005, 2006)

Aaron McHardy (soccer, 2003)

Mitch Meeuwsen (football, 2002, 2005)

Cambria Miranda (softball, 2006, 2007)

Scott Nicholson (baseball, 2001)

Jonah Nickerson (baseball, 2005, 2006)

Mat Orndorff (wrestling, 1999)

Jed Pennell (wrestling, 2003)

Jeremy Perry (football, 2006)

Felicia Ragland (women’s basketball, 2001, 2002)

Kayle Rawlings (swimming, 2007)

Tanya Ricioli (gymnastics, 2000)

Mandi Rodriguez (gymnastics, 2007)

Gina Schmidt (volleyball, 2002)

Roy Schuening (football, 2008)

Richard Seigler (football, 2001)

Alexis Serna (football, 2006)

Katrina Severin (gymnastics, 2000, 2001)

Ken Simonton (football, 2000, 2001)

Tasha Smith (gymnastics, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Birte Steven (swimming, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)

Sammie Stroughter (football, 2007)

Annette Taylor (gymnastics, 2000)

Jodie Taylor (women’s soccer, 2005)

Kaylie Towne (women's rowing, 2007)

Ty Watterson (wrestling, 2007)

Dennis Weathersby (football, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)

Julia White-Hoppe (rowing, 2003)

PAC-10 CHAMPIONS (began at 2003 Bennys)

Kyle Bressler (wrestling, 2008)

Matt Ellis (wrestling, 2004)

Elizabeth Jillson (gymastics, 2003)

Travis Gardner (wrestling, 2008)

Chrissy Lamun (gymnastics, 2003)

Jami Lanz (gymnastics, 2008)

Jeremy Larson (wrestling, 2007)

Tasha Smith (gymnastics, 2006, 2008)

Ty Watterson (wrestling, 2007)

Wrestling (2007)

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

This Benny is presented to the scholar-athletes who have achieved success in both the classroom and on the fields of play.

Michelle Bacon (rowing, 2005)

Sam Bobek (rowing, 2001)

Cassie Bouska (rowing, 2001)

Nate Brentano (football, 2003)

Mitch Canham (baseball, 2007)

Adam Carlton (rowing, 2005)

Clay Carnahan (soccer, 2003)

Felicia Castaneda (swimming, 2008)

Brina Chaney (basketball, 2004)

Colt Charles (football, 2006)

Mandy Close (basketball, 2007)

Lindsay Conners (rowing, 2007)

Stephen Copeland (baseball, 2003)

Morgan Crabtree (soccer, 2003)

Adam Daniel (wrestling, 2005)

Andy Darkins (football, 2008)

Sean Deacon (golf, 2003, 2004)

Lauren Denfeld (track, 2008)

Mari Embertson (swimming, 2005)

Anne Marie Fallow (soccer, 2001)

Paula Finlay (swimming, 2003)

Keegan Fitzgerald (gymnastics, 2008)

Rebecca Franceschi (rowing, 2008)

Ashley Francis (track, 2007)

K.C. Frederic (volleyball, 2004)

Kathleen Freeborn (rowing, 2003)

James Fulmer (rowing, 2008)

Brett Gardner (soccer, 2008)

Emmy Gardner (rowing, 2002)

Jessi Gebhardt (golf, 2008)

Mitch Gillis (golf, 2007)

Whitney Goodell (soccer, 2008)

Andy Hall (wresting, 2008)

Jeff Halleck (soccer, 2008)

Tami Halleck (volleyball, 2003)

Claire Hanway (rowing, 2008)

Kristin Huston (swimming, 2005)

Natalie Johnson (softball, 2007)

Thad Johnson (baseball, 2001)

Janelle Joy (women’s soccer, 2005)

Kaitlyn Kernek (rowing, 2004)

Christina Kinney (swimming, 2007)

Aaron Koch (football, 1999)

Yuki Lamb (gymnastics, 2008)

Chrissy Lamun (gymnastics, 2006)

Allison Lawrence (volleyball, 2005)

Pat Loney (football, 2005)

Mia Longfellow (softball, 2008)

Jerra Lopez (gymnastics, 2002)

Deena Lougee (swimming, 2008)

Alexandra Lucio (women’s golf, 2005)

Jona Maukonen (soccer, 1999)

Julie McCauley (swimming, 2008)

Aaron McHardy (soccer, 2003)

Cara Miller (soccer, 2006)

John Millar (football, 2003, 2004)

Clayton Moe (golf, 2008)

Kristy Mortensen (volleyball, 2006)

Kristin Murray (volleyball, 2007, 2008)

Katrina Nelson (volleyball, 2003)

Lindsay Nelson (gymnastics, 2005)

Erica O'Connell (rowing , 2007)

Megan Oest (rowing, 2001)

Carina Olsson (golf, 2001)

Melissa Onstad (soccer, 2007)

Ausra Pacebutaite (swimming, 2006)

Neoma Palmer (track, 2007)

Stephanie Parker (rowing, 2006)

Jed Pennell (wrestling, 2003, 2004)

Andrea Pleven (rowing, 2006)

Erin Postma (rowing, 2008)

Keelan Purcell (rowing, 2005)

Bonnie Renwick (swimming, 2002)

Abby Roos (rowing, 2001)

Danya Rumore (track, 2007)

Jessica Sadusky (soccer, 2008)

Leah Schaab (rowing, 2007)

Gina Schmidt (volleyball, 2002)

Holly Simmons (rowing, 2008)

Lynn Simmons (rowing, 2003)

Lauren Sommers (rowing, 2002)

Birte Steven (swimming, 2004)

Tara Stirewalt (track, 2006)

Ashleigh Thomas (swimming, 2006)

Beth Thomason (soccer, 2000)

Kristen Tomlinson (rowing, 2006)

Kaylie Towne (rowing, 2008)

Therese Videan (gymnastics, 2005)

Ashley Younce (cross country/track, 2006)

Justin Wagner (rowing, 2008)

Aaron Wells (football, 2000)

Andy Wheeler (rowing, 2003)

Curt Willener (wresting, 2003, 2004)

Michelle Wilson (rowing, 2007)

David Williams (golf, 2003)

Abby Windell (volleyball, 2007)

GLENN KLEIN COMMUNITY SERVICE

This Benny is presented to the individual who has made a significant contribution to the community; such as volunteering in local schools, working with the DARE program, etc.

Paul Barron (wrestling, 2000)

Mitch Canham (baseball, 2007)

Courtney Carter (soccer, 2002)

Adam Danial (wrestling, 2002)

Todd Deacon (golf, 2001)

Ross Duncan (soccer, 2003)

Mari Embertson (swimming, 2005)

Mitch Gillis (golf, 2006)

Christian Greene (rowing, 2001)

Jim Hanchett (football/basketball, 2005)

Kyle Jeffers (basketball, 2007)

Ashley Johnston (soccer, 2003)

Natalie Johnson (softball, 2007)

Kaitlyn Kernek (rowing, 2004)

D'Anna Piro (gymnastics, 2008)

Kurt Ness (soccer, 2004)

Ami Rothberg (rowing, 2006)

Danya Rumore (track, 2007)

Justin Wagner (rowing, 2008)

MARTIN CHAVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

This Benny is presented to the individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Oregon State University Athletics.

Dee Andros (2003)

Bert Babb (2000)

Bob and Dorothy Butler (2005)

Roy Gaussoin (2007)

Nat Giustina (2004)

Robert Loomis (2007)

Bud Ossey (2007)

Sue Poorman (2002)

Al and Pat Reser (2008)

Bob Riggert (2006)

Paul Valenti (2001)

ROBERT BYERS SPIRIT AWARD

This Benny is presented to the individual(s) or organization who has supported Oregon State Athletics at various events or who has demonstrated courage in the face of adversity.

OSU Alumni Association (2001)

Will Gustafson (rowing, 2008)

Wesley and Brady Haynes (1999)

Brandon Hern (wrestling, 2005)

Casey Horn (wrestling, 2002)

Chrissy Lamun (gymnastics, 2006)

Danny Langsdorf (2007)

Cory Luth (2000)

Casey Nash (2007)

Curt Willener (2004)

Bob Westlund (2004)

Student Athlete Advisory Committee (2003

JOE ZAHER MALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

This Benny is awarded to an outstanding male individual in his first year of competition at Oregon State University.

James Allenby (golf, 2007)

Darwin Barney (baseball, 2005)

Nick DeWitz (basketball, 2005)

Robbie Findley (soccer, 2004)

Mitch Meeuwsen (football, 2002)

Jeremy Perry (football, 2006)

Kevin Rhoderick (baseball, 2008)

James Rodgers (football, 2008)

Richard Seigler (football, 2001)

Dennis Weathersby (football, 2000)

Joe Zaher (soccer, 2003)

FEMALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

This Benny is awarded to an outstanding female individual in her first year of competition at Oregon State University.

Saori Haraguchi (swimming, 2006)

Naya Higashijima (swimming, 2000)

Jen Kesler (gymnastics, 2008)

Chrissy Lamun (gymnastics, 2003)

Jami Lanz (gymnastics, 2006)

Chelsea Plourde (gymnastics, 2004)

Mandi Rodriguez (gymnastics, 2007)

Juleen Smith (basketball, 2002)

Tasha Smith (gymnastics, 2006)

Birte Steven (swimming, 2001)

Jodie Taylor (soccer, 2005)

COACH OF THE YEAR (Women’s Sports)

This Benny is presented to the outstanding coach in a women’s sport.

Tanya Chaplin (gymnastics, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008)

Larry Liebowitz (swimming, 2007)

Mariusz Podkoscielny (swimming, 2002)

Kirk Walker (softball, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006)

COACH OF THE YEAR (Men’s Sports)

This Benny is awarded to the outstanding coach in a men’s sport.

Pat Casey (baseball, 2005, 2006)

Dennis Erickson (football, 2000, 2001)

Mike Riley (football, 2008)

Dave Reischman (rowing, 2002)

Dana Taylor (soccer, 2003, 2004)

Jim Zalesky (wrestling, 2007)

PLAY OF THE YEAR (discontinued)

Football Victory over California (2000)

Opossum running the length of the field vs. USC (2001)

MALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

This Benny is presented to the male student-athlete with the top performance during the academic year.

Robbie Findley (soccer, 2005)

Football Goal Line Stand at No. 2 California (2008)

Vincent Johnson (golf, 2006)

Eric Jorgensen (wrestling, 2001)

David Lucas (basketball, 2004, 2005)

Matt Moore (football, 2007)

Jed Pennell (wrestling, 2003)

Ben Rowe (baseball, 2002)

FEMALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

This Benny is presented to the female student-athlete with the top performance during the academic year.

Lisa Allen (softball, 2005)

Brina Chaney (basketball, 2004)

Saori Haruguchi (swimming, 2008)

Monica Hoffman (softball, 2002, 2003)

Brianne McGowan (softball, 2006)

Cambria Miranda (softball, 2006)

Katrina Severin (gymnastics, 2001)

Tasha Smith (gymnastics, 2006, 2007)

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

This Benny is awarded to an outstanding student-athlete in a men’s sport.

Yvenson Bernard (football, 2008)

Inoke Breckterfield (football, 1999)

Nathan Coy (wrestling, 2002)

Jacoby Ellsbury (baseball, 2005)

Joe Gerber (baseball, 2000)

Cole Gillespie (baseball, 2006)

Mike Hass (football, 2006)

Steven Jackson (football, 2003, 2004)

Eric Jorgensen (wrestling, 2001)

Ken Simonton (football, 2001)

Sammie Stroughter (football, 2007)

Bill Swancutt (football, 2005)

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

This Benny is awarded to an outstanding student-athlete in a women’s sport.

Tarrah Beyster (softball, 1999, 2000)

Saori Haraguchi (swimming, 2007, 2008)

Brianne McGowan (softball, 2005, 2006)

Cambria Miranda (softball, 2006)

Felicia Ragland (basketball, 2001, 2002)

Birte Steven (swimming, 2003)

MALE TEAM OF THE YEAR

This Benny is presented to the top men’s team.

Baseball (2005, 2006)

Football (1999)

Football (2001, 2008)

Rowing (2002, 2004)

Soccer (2003)

Wrestling (2007)

FEMALE TEAM OF THE YEAR

This Benny is presented to the top women’s team.

Gymnastics (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Softball (1999, 2004, 2005, 2006)