An exciting year of athletics at UNCW was capped by the department Sunday night at the 2001 Athletic Awards Banquet.

Kris Jones, a junior track and field star, highlighted the extensive list of awards handed out at the annual UNC Wilmington affair. Jones took home the Thomas V. Moseley Award as the school’s outstanding athlete of the year.

Jones played an integral role in the men’s track and field team’s fifth consecutive Colonial Athletic Association Championship. The Goldsboro native secured 25 of the team’s 178 points in the quest for his third ring.

Men’s swimming senior Will Thompson and women’s golf senior Linda Johnson each received the Chancellor’s Cup Award for their excellence in the classroom. Thompson, who is from Elm City, is a chemistry major and holds a 3.922 grade point average. A Greensboro, Ga., native, Johnson has a 3.848 GPA and will graduate with a degree in finance.

Brett Blizzard was named the Pizza Hut Basketball Player of the Year for the second straight year. The sophomore from Tallahassee, Fla., led the men’s basketball team in scoring on their way to another year of postseason play.

Swimming and baseball public address announcer Frank Chapman received the William J. Brooks Distinguished Service Award, while the women’s golf team garnered the first-ever UNCW Team Leadership Award for their efforts and on the golf course, as well as in the community and the classroom.

“I think this event is very successful,” said redshirt-sophomore men’s golfer John Calarco, who was named the new president of the Student Advisory Committee for the department of athletics. “It’s good to bring everyone together just to show how well we all compete for UNCW in athletics.”

Team awards were also presented at the ceremony. Most Valuable Player accolades went to: senior Holly Abbuhl for volleyball; junior Ashley Andringa for women’s soccer; junior Tommy Miller for men’s soccer; sophomore Michelle McLeroy for women’s diving; junior Amy Sands for women’s swimming; junior Will Humphries for men’s diving; junior Dan Gallagher for men’s diving; freshman Courtney Pomeranz for women’s golf; senior Sean Dougherty for men’s golf; senior Samantha Thompson for women’s tennis; senior Mauro Difilippo for men’s tennis; senior Amanda Statz for women’s cross country; sophomore Eishia Troupe for women’s track and field; sophomore Paul Chokota for men’s cross country; junior Kris Jones for men’s track and field; senior Maggie Johnson softball; freshman Tracy Morgan and sophomore Shameka Montgomery for women’s basketball; and sophomore Brett Blizzard for men’s basketball.

Difilippo was excited about his award. “I always tried to give my best; however, everybody on the team helps for our success,” the Rome, Italy native said. “It’s a group effort. In fact, without the team I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy this season. I think every single member earned this award with me.”

Two student athletic trainers were also honored. Michael Jackman received the Terry L. Middleswarth Award for Student Trainer Leadership, while Teresa Rector accepted the James D. Hundley Most Outstanding Student Athletic Trainer award.

Director of Athletics Peg Bradley-Doppes indicated the evening was the pinnacle to a great year of athletics at UNCW. “I think this banquet says it all,” she said. “Everyone in the athletics community here deserves this night.”

For a complete list of award winners, visit http://www.uncwil.edu/athletics/00-01%20Awards%20List.htm