June 17, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern University has announced the winners of the 2004-05 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. This is the third year the conference has presented the honor, which recognizes one member of each varsity team at each Big Ten school (the athletes are selected by their coaches). From that group, each school nominates one male and one female to represent the school at the conference level.
The nominees were chosen based on their sportsmanship, as specified by the Big Ten: "one who observes the rules and intent of his/her sport at all times. He/she must be fair and respectful to his/her opponent. In addition, he/she is enthusiastic about the game, enjoys playing it and--win or lose--does his/her absolute best at all times." The nominee should also be active in the community.
Northwestern's male nominee for the conference award is Davor Duvancic (Split, Croatia/MIOC Math School) from men's basketball. A 6-foot-8 forward, Duvancic ranked among the conference leaders in assists this season. He played with the Big Ten Foreign Touring Team in France and Italy last summer, while still finding time to graduate with a double major in political science and international studies and a minor in business institutions.
Northwestern's female nominee is Erin Mobley (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) from softball. One of the most consistent players in school history, Mobley concluded her career ranked first all-time at NU in hits, runs and total bases. A three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, Mobley also was active off the diamond, most notable serving as the vice-president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Northwestern's honorees at the institutional level are listed below.
Cross Country: Marie Grabinski (Carmel, Ind./Carmel)
Football: Luis Castillo (Garfield, N.J./Garfield)
Men's Soccer: Sammy Semwangu (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North)
Women's Soccer: Carolyn Hack (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North)
Field Hockey: Kelly Augustine (Northampton, Pa./Northampton)
Volleyball: Lauren Greenwood (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood)
Men's Basketball: Davor Duvancic (Split, Croatia/MIOC Math School)
Women's Basketball: Samantha McComb (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington)
Men's Swimming & Diving: Mike Gustafson (Lowell, Mich./Lowell)
Women's Swimming & Diving: Amy Mueller (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough)
Wrestling: Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny)
Fencing: Sophie Eustis (Andover, Mass./Concord Academy)
Women's Golf: Heather Scholten (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian)
Men's Golf: Chris Wilson (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman)
Men's Tennis: Christian Tempke (Wentorf, Germany/Gymnasium Lohrbugge)
Women's Tennis: Cristelle Grier (Epsom, England/Putney)
Softball: Erin Mobley (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill)
Baseball: Pat McMahon (Mundelein, Ill./Carmel)
Women's Lacrosse: Ashley Koester (Richmond, Ind./Richmond)