Gators win awards in multiple sports

Posted Mar 9, 2010 by Aaron Oberlin

Updated Mar 12, 2010 at 03:49 PM

The University of Florida racked up more than a handful of awards given out to athletes this week.

The honors ranged from performances in competition to excellence in the classroom.

The men’s basketball team walked away with three honors, including the 2010 Southeastern Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year, which sophomore Ray Shipman won. He maintained a 3.45 GPA as he pursues a degree in sports management. Sophomore Erving Walker got a second team All-SEC nod, and freshman Kenny Boynton earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.

The track and field and cross country teams also can boast several awards.

The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association voted junior distance runner Charlotte Browning the 2010 South Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year and sophomore jumper Christian Taylor as the South Region Men’s Field Athlete of the Year. The SEC men’s triple jump indoor champion has won the distinction for the second consecutive season.

Senior Julie Northrup, redshirt sophomore Rebecca Lowe and sophomore Genevieve LaCaze rounded out the awards for the runners, helping lead the cross country team to a cumulative 3.56 GPA, as they were named to the USTFCAAA All-Academic Team.

The men’s baseball team joined in, too. CollegeBaseball360.com added sophomore Alex Panteliodis, from Tampa, to its Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll. He pitched 5.2 innings for eight strikeouts in a win against No. 10 Miami last week, as UF won 7-1.

Freshman shortstop Nolan Fontana took honors as the SEC Freshman of the week, who extended his hitting streak during the intrastate series to seven games. He batted 7-for-11 over the weekend.

“It was an honor for me to be recognized with the award, but I was happier that we won the series at Miami,” said Fontana. “I plan on continuing to work hard to keep improving how I play.”

In softball, senior Francesca Enea added to her hitting streak, bringing it to 12 games over the weekend, during which she hit .563. She took SEC Player of the Week honors.

The SEC recognized gymnast Marissa King for the second time this year as the Freshman of the Week. Ashley Bruns won Rookie of the Week from the America Lacrosse Conference.