Oberlin, Ohio – The third-annual Obie Awards took place on Saturday, May 10, in the Heisman Club Field House, honoring the accomplishments of the Oberlin College student-athletes and coaching staffs during the 2013-14 school year.
 
The nearly 400 people in attendance included student-athletes from all of Oberlin's 21 varsity athletics teams as well as the athletics staff and other campus faculty and staff members.
 
This year saw some change to the awards given, as for the first time both the program of the year and most improved program of the year awards were awarded to both a men's and women's team.
 
Awards voted on by the Student-Athletes
 
Female Newcomer of the Year – Meredith Leung (Volleyball)
 
Male Newcomer of the Year – Nick Wertman (Men's Soccer)
 
Most Improved Female Program of the Year – Lacrosse
 
Most Improved Male Program of the Year – Swimming and Diving
 
Female Program of the Year – Cross Country
 
Male Program of the Year – Soccer
 
Coach of the Year – Blake New (Men's Soccer)
 
Female Athlete of the Year – Brenna Sheldon (Tennis)
 
Male Athlete of the Year – Brandt Rentel (Soccer)
 
Department Awards
 
NORMAN J. GOLDRING SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
The recipient of the Norman J. Goldring Scholar-Athlete Award shall be determined by identifying the male and female student-athletes who have earned the highest GPA over his/her Oberlin College tenure, participated in Oberlin athletics for four years, and earned a minimum of one varsity letter.
 
Winners: Mike McDonald (Baseball) | Julia Harris (Cross Country)
 
GATES-KARLGAARD AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN WELLNESS
The Gates-Karlgaard Award for Excellence in Wellness was established in 2011 in recognition of the commitment to wellness and health promotion at Oberlin College by Linda Gates (Dean of Students, 2005-2011) and Joe Karlgaard, Ph.D. (Delta Lodge Director of Athletics and Physical Education, 2005-2011). The award recognizes student-athlete leaders for their accomplishments in promoting health and wellness on campus and/or in the greater Lorain County community. Recipients of this award have also displayed impressive strides toward improving their own personal health and the health of other members of the community. Moreover, they have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to wellness by making contributions and offering leadership that has furthered various wellness and health promotion efforts. (Wellness can be defined as a proactive and preventive approach designed to provide optimum levels of health, emotional, and social functioning.) The award may be presented annually in the spring at an appropriate venue, possibly the senior student-athlete awards ceremony.
 
Winner: Paul Paschke (Men's Lacrosse)
 
GERTRUDE E. MOULTON AWARD
The recipient[s] of this award will be the senior female athlete[s] who best exemplify dedication to academic and athletic excellence and has demonstrated leadership skills, strength of character, and loyalty to Oberlin athletics. Each recipient will be chosen by the director of athletics in consultation with the head coaches of all women's sports.
 
Winners: Sophia Brancazio (Track and Field) | Phoebe Hammer (Lacrosse) | Lauren Taylor (Cross Country/Track and Field)
 
ANDREWS FAMILY AWARD
The recipient[s] of this award will be the senior male athlete[s] who best exemplify dedication to academic and athletic excellence and has demonstrated leadership skills, strength of character, and loyalty to Oberlin athletics. Each recipient will be chosen by the director of athletics in consultation with the head coaches of all men's sports.
 
Winners: Zach Kisley (Football) | Charlie Marks (Tennis) | Chris Pickens (Swimming and Diving) | Ari Schwartz (Soccer)
 
HONDA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
The recipient]s] of this award will be the female athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic achievements as well as leadership skills and academic excellence. Each recipient will be selected by the director of athletics in consultation with the head coaches of all women's sports.
 
Winners: Emily King (Softball) | Emma Lehmann (Cross Country/Track and Field) | Molly Martorella (Cross Country/Track and Field) | Kyle Neal (Cross Country/Track and Field)
 
LYSLE K. BUTLER AWARD
This award is presented to the male athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic achievements as well as leadership skills and academic excellence. Each recipient will be selected by the director of athletics in consultation with the head coaches of all men's sports.
 
Winners: Geno Arthur (Cross Country/Track and Field) | John Ingham (Soccer) | Brandt Rentel (Soccer)
 
NORTH COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE/JOHN N. STERN SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
Recipients will be recognized for performing with distinction on a varsity team or teams, achieving a grade-point average of 3.2 or above, and demonstrating strong character and high ideals. One male and one female athlete of the senior class will be selected annually by the director of athletics, the coaching staff, and in consultation with the faculty athletic representatives.
 
Winners: Brenna Sheldon (Women's Tennis) | Mike McDonald (Baseball)