June 11, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Christy Finch of the women's lacrosse team and David Roth of the men's soccer program have been named Northwestern's recipients of the 2007-08 Big Ten Medal of Honor. The award is given annually to one graduating male and female student-athlete of outstanding academic and athletic talent.
Finch, a native of Hudson, Ohio, was an integral part of the Wildcats' fourth-straight national championship. Serving as team captain, she was a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist and a first-team All-American. Finch led the nation in caused turnovers with 70, and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors from Inside Lacrosse magazine. She finished her career as Northwestern's leader in caused turnovers with 183, placing her fourth in the NCAA record books. She earned All-American Lacrosse Conference first-team honors and was named to the all-tournament team of both the ALC Championships and NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championships. Finch was a member of a senior class who closed out their Wildcat careers with an overall record of 83-3, including a 43-0 record at home, and winners of four-straight conference and national championships.
A St. Louis, Mo., native, Roth completed his standout Wildcat career by being named the first All-American in NU men's soccer history by virtue of his second-team selection as a senior. A three-time All-Big Ten pick, including a first-team honoree each of the last two years, Roth is Northwestern's all-time leader with 32 career assists and is third with 70 total points. He helped guide the Wildcats to three NCAA tournament berths during his career, including an appearance in the national quarterfinals in 2006. His senior year, Roth helped NU earn its highest national ranking ever when it reached No. 3, and guided the Wildcats to a No. 9 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. He went on to become a fourth-round selection of the New York Red Bulls in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. Roth also excelled in the classroom, earning three Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Both individuals will receive their awards at the N Club Induction and Senior Recognition Banquet Thursday, June 19.
2007-08 Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipients
Illinois
J Leman, football
Mary Therese McDonnell, women's soccer
Indiana
Thomas Richter, men's tennis
Haley Exner, field hockey
Iowa
Mike Klinkenberg, football
Meghan Armstrong, women's cross country and track and field
Michigan
Matko Maravic, men's tennis
Lindsey Cottrell, women's soccer
Michigan State
Drew Neitzel, men's basketball
Kate Burdick, women's rowing
Minnesota
C.P. Schlatter, wrestling
Liz Podominick, women's track and field
Northwestern
David Roth, men's soccer
Christy Finch, women's lacrosse
Ohio State
Daniel Mathews, men's volleyball
Jenna Griffin, women's track and field
Penn State
Conrad Taylor, men's soccer
Molly Crispell, women's swimming and diving
Purdue
Jared Armstong, football
Shauna Stapleton, women's soccer
Wisconsin
Adam Barhamand, men's rowing
Katrina Rundhaug, women's track and field