PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers University senior student-athletes David Milewski and Betnijah Laney were presented the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor Sunday evening by Commissioner Jim Delany at the inaugural R Awards Dinner at the Rutgers Athletic Center. The red carpet event recognized, via both awards and videos, the many accomplishments of the Scarlet Knights this season on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
"Our first ever R Awards allowed us to celebrate together the great moments of our inaugural B1G year and the student-athletes that made them happen," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Julie Hermann.
This year marks the 101st anniversary of the Big Ten Medal of Honor, awarded annually to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their college career. The conference's most exclusive award was the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics to recognize academic and athletic excellence.
Milewski battled back from three knee injuries to serve as a team captain in 2014, starting all 13 games on the defensive line and making a career-best 57 tackles. He earned his degree in finance, graduating Summa Cum Laude. A First Team Academic All-American, Milewski is working towards an MBA and was the recipient of the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Off the field, he has given numerous hours to serving the community and was one of three finalists for the Lee Roy Selmon Community Spirit Award.
"There is not a more fitting representation for the Medal of Honor than David," said head football coach Kyle Flood. "He has shown a dedication to excellence on the field as a team captain, in the classroom as an Academic All-American and with his tireless effort to serve the community. David is the personification of what our program strives to be every day, 'The Class of College Football.'"
An Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection at forward, Laney was selected by the Chicago Sky with the 17th overall pick of the 2015 WNBA Draft. She ranked eighth in the Big Ten in scoring and third in rebounding, while nationally she ranked 10th in double-doubles. Laney, who is 14th all-time at Rutgers in scoring (1,410) and sixth all-time in rebounding (912), graduates in May with a degree in labor studies and employment relations.
"Betnijah is a truly remarkable young woman," said head women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer. "Not only is she recognized for her accomplishments on the basketball court, but much of our team's success was because she was a selfless leader. Each and every day she strived in making everyone around her a better person."
Numerous awards were bestowed Sunday evening, including the Bauer Male and Female Athlete of the Year. In addition, Rutgers announced its winners for Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarships. Wrestling's Anthony Ashnault and Laney secured the inaugural Bauer Awards, named in honor of beloved supporters William and Barbara Bauer, while Lacrosse's Campbell Sode and swimming's Greta Leberfinger secured the prestigious scholarships.
INAUGURAL R AWARDS RECIPIENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
MALE BIG TEN MEDAL OF HONOR -- David Milewski (FOOTBALL)
Milewski battled back from three knee injuries to serve as a team captain in 2014, starting all 13 games on the defensive line and making a career-best 57 tackles. He earned his degree in finance, graduating Summa Cum Laude. A First Team Academic All-American, Milewski is working towards an MBA and was the recipient of the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Off the field, he has given numerous hours to serving the community and was one of three finalists for the Lee Roy Selmon Community Spirit Award.
FEMALE BIG TEN MEDAL OF HONOR -- Betnijah Laney (BASKETBALL)
An Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection at forward, Laney was selected by the Chicago Sky with the 17th overall pick of the 2015 WNBA Draft. She ranked eighth in the Big Ten in scoring and third in rebounding, while nationally she ranked 10th in double-doubles. Laney, who is 14th all-time at Rutgers in scoring (1,410) and sixth all-time in rebounding (912), graduates in May with a degree in labor studies and employment relations.
MALE B1G POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT -- Campbell Sode (LACROSSE)
A senior midfielder, Sode earned a 4.0 GPA in each collegiate semester majoring in Labor Studies and Employment Relations and History and was recipient of the 2015 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award. The Academic All-American and National Student-Athlete Honor Society member will be attending law school at the University of Virginia next year. In his career in a Scarlet Knight uniform, Sode played in 35 games, collecting two goals, two assists and 24 ground balls.
FEMALE B1G POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT -- Greta Leberfinger (SWIMMING)
Leberfinger is as one of the most predominant swimmers in Rutgers history. She owns the program records in the 100 and 200 breastroke. She also contributed to RU's school record-breaking performances in the 200 and 400 medley relays. A 2015 NCAA Championships qualifier, Leberfinger will compete at the 2016 Olympic Trials. A psychology major with a minor in education, she maintains a 3.5 grade point average and is an active community service participant.
BAUER MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- Anthony Ashnault (WRESTLING)
The first freshman All-American in Rutgers wrestling history, the 141-pound Ashnault exploded onto the national scene in his first season of eligibility. The rookie went 29-8, topped five ranked opponents and finished eighth in St. Louis in his first trip to nationals to become the 10th All-American in Rutgers history. Ashnault was also named to the 2015 AWN All-Rookie Team for his stellar freshman season.
BAUER FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- Betnijah Laney (BASKETBALL)
Also recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor
CO-SENIOR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- Myles Mack (BASKETBALL)
Mack was a three-time team captain and three-time All-Met selection. As a senior, he earned All-Big Ten honors from the conference media and was among the league leaders in scoring, assists, free throw percentage, steals, 3-point FGs made, minutes played and assist-to-turnover ratio. He finished his Rutgers career seventh all-time in points (1,658), fourth in assists (425) and second in both steals (211) and three-pointers (239).
CO-SENIOR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- JOSEPH NARDELLA (MEN'S LACROSSE)
A two-time team captain, Nardella was recognized as Big Ten Specialist of the Year and was on the First Team All-Big Ten as a senior. A preseason Second Team All-American and a member of the Watch List for the prestigious Tewaaraton Award, Nardella was among the best in nation on faceoffs. The senior won 222 out of 333 face-offs for a 67.0 winning percentage and had a team-high 125 ground balls, ranking in the top-three in the nation in both categories.
SENIOR FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- Greta Leberfinger (SWIMMING)
Also recipient of the B1G Postgraduate Scholarship
JUNIOR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- TOM CARR (TRACK & FIELD)
Entering this week, Carr ranks second in the Big Ten, fifth in the NCAA East Region and 11th nationally in the javelin. Last weekend, he finished third at the prestigious Penn Relays and earlier in the season captured javelin titles at the USF Bulls Invitational, as well as the Raleigh and Colonial Relays.
JUNIOR FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- Brianne Reed (SOCCER)
Reed was named to the 2014 NSCAA All-America third team for her lockdown defensive play last season. A First Team All-Big Ten defender, Reed played the full time in 16 of 20 matches and led a defense that allowed just 13 goals for a 0.64 goals against average.
SOPHOMORE MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- Scott DelVecchio (WRESTLING)
DelVecchio qualified for his first NCAA Championships last season, going 21-12 and 12-6 in dual competition. DelVecchio defeated a trio of ranked opponents in his sophomore campaign, and also earned Rutgers Wrestling's first Big Ten bout victory, 10-3, over Iowa in the program's first Big Ten match.
SOPHOMORE FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- Sofia Walia (FIELD HOCKEY)
Walia had a stellar sophomore season and earned First Team All-Region and Second Team All-Big Ten honors. She started 16 games on defense and anchored the Rutgers defensive line in addition to contributing offensively. Walia scored seven goals and added six assists for 20 points, scoring two game-winning goals. She also made three defensive saves and converted on both of her penalty stroke attempts.
FRESHMAN MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Anthony Ashnault (WRESTLING)
Also recipient of the Bauer Male Athlete of the Year
FRESHMAN FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- ADDY WALKOWIAK (DIVING)
In her first year as a Scarlet Knight, Walkowiak made a statement on the boards, picking four Big Ten weekly honors and re-setting two school records en route to qualifying for the 2015 NCAA Championships. Walkowiak broke the school record in the 1-meter dive twice and also notched a program-best championship mark at Big Ten's. She concluded her rookie campaign with a trip to the NCAAs, competing in both the 1-meter and platform diving events.
NIKE MALE INDIVIDUAL GAME PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR -- Gary Nova (FOOTBALL)
A four-year starter at quarterback, Nova leaves Rutgers as one of the top passers in school history, holding the program record with 73 touchdowns. A two-time captain, he was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after leading RU to a come-from-behind victory against Maryland. He passed for four touchdowns and had three receivers top 100 yards, rallying Rutgers from a 35-10 deficit to stun the Terps, 41-38. It marked the biggest comeback in school history and the team's first Big Ten road win.
NIKE FEMALE INDIVIDUAL GAME PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR -- Gabrielle Farquharson (TRACK & FIELD)
Farquharson won three medals at the 2015 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships, including bringing home the first ever Rutgers Big Ten title with gold in the 200m. She also finished second in the long jump and third in the 60m. Gabrielle would go on to earn Second Team All-American status in the long jump at the NCAA Championships.
RUTGERS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY KNIGHTS IN ACTION AWARD - David Milewski (FOOTBALL)
Also recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor
RUTGERS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY KNIGHTS IN ACTION AWARD -- Chrissy Schreiber (LACROSSE)
Schreiber is a two-year starter on the Rutgers women's lacrosse team and has posted more than 20 points in her Scarlet Knight career. This past February, Schreiber was among 15 other student-athletes nationally to earn a Scholar Baller 2014 Academic Momentum Award.
HIGH ACADEMIC ACHIEVER AWARD (4.0 CAREER GPA) - Campbell Sode (LACROSSE)
Also recipient of the B1G Postgraduate Scholarship
RUTGERS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY TEAM CUP AWARD -- FIELD HOCKEY
Rutgers won nine games, qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament, their first postseason play since 2010. The team performed strongly in the classroom, with a Big Ten leading 16 members named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association's National Academic Squad, qualifying with a GPA of 3.3 or higher in the fall semester. The team also had 11 players named Academic All-Big Ten.
TOP TEAM GRADE POINT AVERAGE -- FIELD HOCKEY (3.52)
POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
David Milewski (Football) -- Recipient of NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Maggie Morash (Soccer) -- Recipient of the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship, bestowed upon collegiate scholars who intend to pursue research careers in mathematics, science or engineering.
Campbell Sode (Lacrosse) -- Recipient of the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award by the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership. The award is an annual scholarship recognizing one male and one female Big Ten senior student-athlete pursuing a postgraduate degree for achievements in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and leadership.
COURSEN AWARD (2013-14) -- Kene Eze (SOCCER)
Eze earned a nod to the Third Team All-Northeast Region squad after leading the Scarlet Knights in points with eight goals and four assists. He helped the Scarlet Knights to the semifinals of the American Tournament as he exploded for four goals in a victory over Cincinnati, marking the most goals by a player in the American in 2013, and played a vital role as Rutgers upset seventh ranked and regular season champion Louisville in the quarterfinals.
HEADLEY-SINGER AWARD (2013-14) -- Jonelle Filigno (SOCCER)
Filigno was a two-time NSCAA All-America player at Rutgers, finishing her impressive career "On the Banks" in first place all-time with 17 game-winning goals, fourth with 33 goals and 79 points and sixth with 187 shots. The Sky Blue FC member was selected to two all-conference teams as a Scarlet Knight and will represent Team Canada at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup this summer.
HEADLEY-SINGER AWARD (2013-14) -- ASHA RUTH (TRACK & FIELD)
One of the most decorated Rutgers women's track and field athletes in history, Asha Ruth finished her career "On The Banks" as a four-time All-American, earning the national honors in the long jump in 2012 and 2013, as well as with the 4x100 and 4x400 Scarlet Knight relay teams in 2013. Asha also captured three conference long jump titles during her Rutgers career including gold at the American Indoor Championships in 2014 and the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships in 2013 and 2012.
WERBLIN AWARD (2013-14) -- NICOLE SCOTT (DIVING)
Scott owns the school record in the 3-meter dive and the platform dive. Scott capped off a tremendous senior year with a trip to the 2014 NCAAs, where she finished 16th overall in the platform event to earn Honorable Mention All-American honors. In doing so, she became the first Scarlet Knight to achieve All-America status since 2008. Scott was named the 2014 Rutgers' New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Woman of the Year. Scott also excelled in the classroom, earning the 2014 American Athletic Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
WERBLIN AWARD (2013-14) -- ANTHONY PEROTTI (WRESTLING)
A 157-pounder, Perrotti achieved All-America status last year to become the first Scarlet Knight to reach the NCAA Championships podium since 2002. Perrotti finished in eighth place in Oklahoma City and was the first All-American under head coach Scott Goodale and the ninth in Rutgers history.
WERBLIN AWARD (2013-14) -- Corey Crawford (TRACK & FIELD)
Crawford was a two-time All-American as the national runner up in the long jump at the 2014 Indoor NCAA Championships and placed seventh at the NCAA Championships during the outdoor season. He was the first Scarlet Knight to receive Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year honors for both the indoor and outdoor season seasons by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
RUTGERS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS (2013-14) -- Presented to the student-athlete who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities as students, athletes and citizens during the academic year. Quentin Gause (Football)
Nicole Scott (Swimming & Diving)
All Rutgers student-athlete were invited to the inaugural dinner, as well as parents of senior student-athletes. Milewski and Leberfinger spoke on behalf of the senior class, while Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members Jen Staab (field hockey), Jillian Grant (track & field), Kyle Holder (track & field), Melissa Arthur (lacrosse) and Gause served as presenters.
For additional coverage of the inaugural R Awards, please visit the RVision YouTube (youtube.com/RVision1766) page or the Rutgers Athletics social media accounts on Twitter (@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (facebook.com/RutgersAthletics).
