Congratulations to the following Hill School student-athletes, who were chosen by their coaches and teammates as the winter athletics special award winners for the spring 2019 athletics season.
Baseball
John Kieran Prize: Pat Patterson ’22
For improvement, excellence, sportsmanship, and team play in Junior Varsity baseball.
Robbins Baseball Trophy: Gabe Willman ’20
For best pitching performance.
Samuel T. Nicholson Cup: Zach Sager ’19
To that member of The Hill School baseball team who best exemplifies the spirit of true sportsmanship and team play.
Dr. James K. Finn Batting Award: Michael Eze ’20
For hitting excellence.
Crew
The HSBC Blue and Gray Award: Amber Cao ’21 and Michael Schiavone ’19
Given to that oarsman or oarswoman who best embodies the spirit of the Hill School Boat Club (HSBC) though hard work, dedication, self-improvement, and constant desire for the betterment of the team.
The Novice Award: Cassidy Beeding ’21, Jace White ‘22
Given to that oarsman or oarswoman in their novice season who made the greatest contribution to the team.
The Novice Spirit Award: Alie Mullins ’22, Lal Yatagan ’21
Presented to the oarsman or oarswoman who rowed in the novice or JV boats and made an exemplary contribution toward the improvement of themselves and their boatmates.
Boys’ Golf
Michael J. Smith Award: Billy Gussler ’21
For the greatest interest in golf.
Jack Munger Memorial Cup: JP Irizarry
Awarded annually to that member of the boys’ golf team who has contributed the most to the team.
School Champion: Billy Gussler ’21
Girls’ Golf
Most Valuable Player: Marina Mendez ’19, Jessica Shao ’20
Awarded to the player whose outstanding play and leadership did the most to assure team success. Her contribution to the team includes her performance in competitive matches, but also includes her support of her teammates.
Spirit of The Hill: Elle Lagor ’21
Awarded to the golfer whose consistent approach to practice and matches demonstrated a love of the game and commitment to the team. In all those ways she represents Michael Sweeney’s vision of Hill Athletics as a means to educate “the complete man, and the complete woman.”
School Champion: Jessica Shao ’20
Boys’ Lacrosse
Jolly Green Giant Defenseman Award: Riley Schmidt ’19
Presented to the outstanding member of the defensive unit. Given by the Jolly Green Giants of the 1967 team.
Job Price Award for Improvement: Aidan Dunn '21
“It is the deed, not the reward.”
Team of 1962 Lacrosse Cup: Zach Phillips ’20
Presented to that member of the varsity boys’ lacrosse team who through his outstanding play and aggressive spirit provided the team with a source of inspiration and optimism.
Girls’ Lacrosse
Most Distinguished Player Award: Hannah Spease ’20
Awarded to the player who demonstrated the highest level of skill, determination, and leadership to the Hill girls’ lacrosse program.
The Blue and Gray award: Tatumn Eccleston ’19
Awarded to the player, chosen by her teammates, who demonstrated the highest level of dedication, perseverance, and leadership to the Hill girls’ lacrosse program.
Softball
The Hill School Softball Award: Alexa Giacche ’19
Given to that member of the varsity who, though her excellent play, leadership, and sportsmanship, made the outstanding contribution to Hill softball.
The Softball Players’ Player Award: Meg Dempsey ’19
Awarded by her teammates to the varsity player who distinguishes herself for her selfless dedication and team spirit.
Boys’ Tennis
Frank B. Bender Memorial Trophy: Dev Sharma ’22
Awarded annually to the tennis champion of The Hill School.
Best Effort Award: Boris Sorokin ’19
This award is given to the player who, in the estimation of his peers, demonstrated the most dedication, tenacity, and heart in practices and matches throughout the season.
Most Valuable Player: Eduardo Slomp ’19
This award is given to the player who, in the estimation of the coach, was essential to the success of the team because of his sportsmanship, commitment, and leadership throughout the season.
Track and Field
Captain’s Cup: Alberto Fernandez ’19, Lauryn Fudala ’21, Alexis Haas ’19, Yeob Kim ’19
For best general progress in track.
Henry J. Colbath Memorial Cup: Bennett Booth-Genthe ’19, Sadie McCaleb ’19
For high sportsmanship, superior effort, and outstanding accomplishment.
James Stack ’57 Award: Shahzaib Umer ’20, Olivia Tullman ’20
Presented annually to the male/female track athlete who best exemplifies the values and character traits which Jim Stack displayed during his Hill years. At The Hill, Jim was captain of the basketball team and a key member of the track team of 1957. He was consistently an outstanding middle-distance runner at Hill and went on to be Captain of the Yale track team of 1961, a team which dominated the Ivy League in those years. His natural skills, intelligence, commitment work ethic, competitiveness, sense of camaraderie, friendship, and humor made him a natural team leader and valuable teammate.
Overton Award: Susanna Soderman ’21, Tim Youndt ’19
Given in honor of John Williams Overton 1913, this prize is given to the athletes who score the most points for the track team over the course of the season. The founder intended the award as an incentive for all Hill students to follow the example of Johnny Overton, “not for the prize itself, but for the moral and physical strength which clean athletics personifies and imparts.”