ELItorial: The ESPYs invade Payne Whitney

By David Goldenberg

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Cory Shea's, BR '00, on-ice intensity earned him a coveted Yale ESPY.

The ESPYs, ESPN's annual sports awards, held on Mon., Feb. 15, featured Samuel L. Jackson and an all-star lineup of presenters, from Dick Vitale to Tyra Banks. The aim was to pay tribute to the world of athletics and to give special recognition to athletes that have given outstanding performances in their sports in the last year.

Now I'm probably more like Tito Jackson than Samuel, and I certainly haven't seen anyone that looks like Tyra Banks around here, but nevertheless, the following is a Yale-ified version of the ESPYs. The candidates--members of this year's fall and winter varsity teams--were selected to honor their positive influence on their teams. And the winners are...

Rookie of the Year:

There is no question in my mind that this award should go to field hockey's Amanda Walton, SY '02. In breaking the team's freshman scoring record previously held by her captain, Lindsay Hobbs, PC '99, she propelled her team to its first national ranking in 15 years and an ECAC tournament championship. Walton was also named ECAC rookie of the year, but that honor pales in comparison to her first Yale ESPY.

Outstanding Performance Under Pressure:

After having his first attempt of The Game blocked, Eli kicker Mike Murawczyk, MC '01, had to have been worried. But with Yale down 7-6 in the fourth quarter of The Game, with the chants of thousands of Cantab faithful ringing in his ears, he lined up for the potential game-winning field goal--and drilled it straight though the uprights to bring Ivy bragging rights back to New Haven. This kick finished off a remarkable season for the sophomore, who ended up with one of the best field-goal-per-game averages in Division I-AA and earned first-team All-Ivy honors.

Coach of the Year:

Though this was a close decision because of the great seasons our fall teams had, football Head Coach Jack Siedlecki takes the award. He raised the Elis from the Ivy cellar to title contention in just two seasons, and perhaps more importantly, put together a team that beat Harvard for the first time in four years. He installed a high-powered offense that, under the direction of quarterback Joe Walland, TD '00, and featuring great receivers such as Eric Johnson, JE '01, and running back Rashad Barthol-omew, SY '01, was hard to shut down. All of these players coming back next year, coupled with the Quakers' loss of big Jim Finn '99, will makeSiedlecki's squad a favorite in next year's Ivy race.

The Hustle Award:

This race was narrowed down early on to two players for their scrappy play, but I couldn't decide who was more deserving, so they both won. Center Cory Shea, BR '00, plays no-nonsense defense for a men's hockey squad that leads the ECAC in penalty-killing percentage. His emotional play might land him in the penalty box more often than other skaters, but it also provides a spark for a team that has often needed it this year.

Forward Dave Tompkins, SY '99, the leading scorer and rebounder for the men's basketball team, is willing to dive for the loose ball even when the outcome of the game is no longer in doubt. It was his heads-up, aggressive defense in the Fri., Feb. 13 game against Princeton that prevented the Tigers from utilizing their patented back-door passes and frustrated a normally cocky Gabe Lewullis '99 into making costly turnovers that eventually led to one of the biggest wins in recent Yale history.

Female Athlete of the Year:

Captain Rosie Wustrack, BR '99, is perhaps the most dominant player in Ivy League volleyball history. By the time she played her last point, she had broken over half of Yale's statistical records and won Ivy League Player of the Year twice. She was a great role model for younger players, and her humility and dedication will be remembered by the members of Peg Scofield's team for years to come.

Male Athlete of the Year:

This decision was tough, as many athletes, including Walland, football receiver Ken Marschner, SY '99, and hockey forward Jeff Hamilton, SM '00, had banner years. But the name that sticks out most in my mind is men's soccer's Jac Gould, CC '00. He provided the winning shot in numerous games and led the ECAC in goals scored. He is also one of the best short-distance runners on the track team.

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