June 10, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Samantha Nemecek (Caledonia, Mich./Caledonia) of the fencing team and Eric Peterman (Sherman, Ill./Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin) of the football program were named Northwestern's recipients of the 2008-09 Big Ten Medal of Honor today (June 10). The award is given annually to one graduating male and female student-athlete of outstanding academic and athletic talent.
Nemecek closed her career as the Wildcats' all-time wins leader with 431 and is second all-time in winning percentage (.855). The 2009 Midwest Fencing Conference foil champion, Nemeck is a four-time All-American, earning second-team honors after finishing sixth at the NCAA Championships in March - the fourth-straight year posting a top-10 finish.
A four-time Midwest Conference first-team selection, Nemecek posted a 41-4 career mark at the conference championships. She capped her senior season with a 103-17 record, becoming the first Wildcat to tally 100 or more victories in each of her four seasons in Evanston. Nemecek is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection majoring in religion with a minor in environmental policy and culture.
Peterman, who recently signed a free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears, closed his stellar career fourth on Northwestern's all-time receiving yardage list with 2,011 yards and 12 touchdowns (seventh-most in NU history). More importantly, he helped the Wildcats become bowl-eligible in three of his four seasons and make appearances in the 2005 Sun Bowl and the 2008 Alamo Bowl.
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Peterman was the national recipient of the 2008 ARA Sportsmanship Award and also one of 11 players nationwide named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Just last week, he was named Northwestern's Male Big Ten Sportsmanship recipient of the year.
Both individuals will receive their awards at the N Club Induction and Senior Recognition Banquet Thursday, June 18.
2008-09 BIG TEN MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
Illinois
Trent Meacham, Men's Basketball
Emily Zurrer, Women's Soccer
Indiana
Austin Starr, Football
Whitney Thomas, Women's Basketball
Iowa
Eric MacTaggart, Men's Cross Country and Track and Field
Lauren Pfeiffer, Women's Field Hockey
Michigan
Steve Luke, Wrestling
Tiffany Ofili, Women's Track and Field
Michigan State
Doug DeMartin, Men's Soccer
Sarah Schmidt, Women's Rowing
Minnesota
Matthew Nohelty, Baseball
Jenny Shaughnessy, Women's Swimming and Diving
Northwestern
Eric Peterman, Football
Samantha Nemecek, Women's Fencing
Ohio State
Brian Robiskie, Football
Linda Haussener, Women's Field Hockey
Penn State
James Pagana, Men's Track and Field
Zoe Bouchelle, Women's Soccer
Purdue
Jake Patacsil, Wrestling
Kara Patterson, Women's Track and Field
Wisconsin
Joe Krabbenhoft, Men's Basketball
Gwen Jorgensen, Women's Track and Field