May 31, 2005
NEW YORK, May 31, 2005 -- For the third-straight year, college lacrosse fans will see the "best of the best" honored on CSTV with the presentation of the Tewaaraton Trophy awards.
The Tewaaraton Trophy is presented to the top female and male varsity collegiate lacrosse players of the year. CSTV will air the ceremony at 8 p.m. CDT Thursday, June 16.
A highlight of the night will be the presentation of Diane Geppi-Aikens Scholarship, given by CSTV to the senior women's college lacrosse player who has not only excelled on the field, but more importantly off the field. Ashley Gersuk, goalie of the national champion Wildcats, leads a group of three finalists.
The $5,000 Diane Geppi-Aikens Scholarship honors the senior women's lacrosse student-athlete who has displayed the same extraordinary leadership, character and perseverance as exhibited by Geppi-Aikens, the late Hall of Fame coach of the Loyola (Md.) women's lacrosse team.
CSTV chronicled Geppi-Aikens last season as coach of the Greyhounds in its documentary, Season of Hope: The Diane Geppi-Aikens Story, which followed the coach and her team on the sidelines during games and practices, on the team bus, in the locker room and at home. Geppi-Aikens passed away in June of 2003, just weeks after leading the Greyhounds to the NCAA Final Four.
"The Diane Geppi-Aikens award truly defines the ultimate student-athlete," said Brian Bedol, founder and CEO of CSTV. "The award honors the memory and legacy of a remarkable lacrosse coach, teacher and person."
Finalists for the 2005 Tewaaraton Trophy:
Women
Amy Appelt, Virginia, Attack
Katieanne Christian, Dartmouth, Midfield
Katie Chrest, Duke, Attack/Midfield
Kristen Kjellman, Northwestern, Midfield
Lindsey Biles, Princeton, Attack
Men
Matt Danowski, Duke, Attack
Kyle Harrison, Johns Hopkins, Midfield
Brodie Merrill, Georgetown, Defense
Sean Morris, Massachusetts, Attack
John Walker, Army, Attack
2005 Diane Geppi-Aikens Scholarship Finalists
Ashley Gersuk, Northwestern, Goalie
Lindsey Biles, Princeton, Attack
Katieanne Charistian, Dartmouth, Midfield