The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorn Honors: Women's Athletics
05.01.2013 | Texas Athletics
May 1, 2013
Gaby Moran, Texas Media Relations
With the spring semester nearing its conclusion, University of Texas female student-athletes took time Monday evening to put on their heels and dresses, and strutted down the burnt orange carpet for Longhorn Honors: Women's Athletics.
The 39th annual women's athletics awards presentation, honoring the athletics excellence of the 2012-13 student-athletes and teams, was televised live by Longhorn Network at Bass Concert Hall.
"What I really like about this banquet is what it is specifically for, which is the women athletes,"senior rower Laurel McCaig said. "I think it is really good to recognize what females are accomplishing in athletics, especially here at Texas."
The women student-athletes were given the opportunity to enjoy a few hors d'oeuvres whilst mingling among their teammates and other fellow UT athletes.
"I look forward to it each year. It is great because there is a ton of talent in this room and a ton of history made," senior golfer Katelyn Sepmoree said. "It is good to come together, because we all know what it is like to be a student-athlete and the struggles and the long hours. But it is good to be able to get together, dress up and reward ourselves with the accomplishments."
Longhorn Network's very own Lowell Galindo and Kaylee Hartung hosted the live awards show. Senior swimmer Dax Hill and Basketball senior Dean Melchionni were the trophy presenters.
"UT has a fabulous commitment to women's athletics. This (banquet) alone speaks volumes on what our school does for the women," McCaig said.
To start the evening off, the first award presented was the Longhorn Team of the Year Award, which honors the team that achieved excellence and represented Texas with pride. The award went to the volleyball team, 2012 National Champions.
"It's so inspiring (seeing all the trophies), and just thinking back to how volleyball won the National Championship gives me the chills. It's fun to see how great all these women are in athletics," Softball senior Kim Bruins said.
For the Outstanding Rookie Performance Award, Women's Basketball freshman Imani McGee-Stafford earned the award for competing at a high level all season.
"Even though I do keep tabs on the other teams, it is great to see how our female counterparts are doing or how they did throughout the year. We all love supporting each other, and this is a great way to get us all together all dressed up,"Soccer junior Brenda Saucedo said.
Senior track star Chalonda Goodman earned the Edith and Darrell K Royal Coca-Cola Solid Citizen Award with her community accomplishments. Goodman boasts a 3.5 GPA in marketing on top of extensive volunteer work within the Austin community, including organizations like the Marbridge Foundation and Longhorn Halloween.
"We don't ever get to dress up together like this and come together to celebrate each others' accomplishments. Being part of something bigger than yourself is really awesome,"Bruins said.
Four-time Olympic swimmer Jill Sterkel presented her namesake Leadership Award, given to a student-athlete whose accomplishments have brought national recognition to The University while also portraying leadership, competiveness and graciousness. Sterkel presented her award to Sha'Dare McNeal, the lone senior on the National Champion volleyball team.
"It's awesome to see all the other girls. There are so many amazing people, especially in our senior class, who are doing well in their sports. It's great to be like, 'Hey great job!'"Tennis senior Aeriel Ellis said.
The Jamie Carey Comeback Award was given to two student athletes, junior diver Maren Taylor and sophomore volleyball player Khat Bell. Taylor had dislocated her elbow in the preliminary round of the platform diving event in the 2011 National Championship and has made a full recovery. Bell tore several ligaments in her knee midway through her freshman year, but she made a full recovery to become a key player for the team this season.
"It is an absolute honor to be here with all these beautiful female athletes and watch them being honored for their achievements,"freshman volleyball and basketball player Sara Hattis said.
UT Athletics gave a special Lifetime Achievement award to Tina Bonci, Associate Athletics Director of Sports Medicine. Bonci has been working at Texas for 28 years. She was presented with both a trophy and an honorary T-Ring.
"I have been applauding all your accomplishments, so it's nice to be on the receiving end tonight,"Bonci stated in her acceptance speech.
The final award of the evening was the Longhorn Athlete of the Year - the female student-athlete who had an impressive season in her sport while being successful in the classroom and active in the community.
Last year's winner Karlee Bispo passed the torch on to two athletes: Volleyball's Haley Eckerman and senior swimmer Laura Sogar. Eckerman was a key asset in the volleyball team winning the National Championship, and Sogar won the individual National Championship title in the 200-yard breaststroke.
"No one has won a National Championship for swimming since 2001, so I was really excited to be the first one to bring it back to Texas. There are many more to come I am sure,"Sogar said.
To end the emotional and inspirational night, all the senior student-athletes gathered on the stage to lead the audience in "The Eyes of Texas."
"I think sharing the ideals about why they came to Texas in the first place and sharing with each other what they've learned, the dreams that they still have, and the ability to bond and share is part of the college experience,"women's athletic director Chris Plonsky said. "We have a close-knit group here and it really is a night of celebration for any achievement and for anybody that puts themselves on the line to represent our University in some competition."
2013 Longhorn Honors: Women's Athletics
Team of the Year: Volleyball
Outstanding Rookie Performance: Imani McGee-Stafford (Women's Basketball)
Edith and Darrell K Royal Coca-Cola Solid Citizen Award: Chalonda Goodman (Women's Track and Field)
Jamie Carey Comeback Award: Maren Taylor (Women's Swimming and Diving), Khat Bell (Volleyball)
Jill A. Sterkel Leadership Award: Sha'Dare McNeal (Volleyball)
Longhorn Athlete of the Year: Haley Eckerman (Volleyball), Laura Sogar (Women's Swimming and Diving)
