University of Minnesota Athletics
Women's Hockey Announces Team Awards at Banquet
4/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Gwen Anderson was awarded the GWH Award, which is given to the player that best exemplifies the Gopher Women's Hockey Creed. "I will represent myself, the team and the University of Minnesota with.class, integrity, honesty, dependability, responsibility, a positive attitude, an unselfish and "team-first" attitude, accountability, a strong work ethic, loyalty an appreciation for privileges and an awareness of my role as a member of Gopher Women's Hockey."
Natalie Darwitz and Jody Horak were named the Most Valuable Players for the 2002-03 season. Darwitz led the team with 68 points in 33 games played. She was named a first-team All-American, a top 10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, and the WCHA Rookie of the Year. Horak started between the pipes in 29 games this season. Horak held a 1.85 goals against average and a 23-6-0 record. In her two years for the Gophers, Horak was named to the All-WCHA First Team twice.
Jerilyn Glenn was awarded the Ridder Award. The recipient is chosen by the Power Play Club and is given in memory of Bob Ridder. It is given to the player who has the biggest impact in the community by giving themselves through volunteer work and local outreach programs.
La Toya Clarke was named the Unsung Hero Award. After battling injuries in the beginning of the season, Clarke went on to play her best hockey of the season towards the end of the campaign. Clarke scored 23 points in 32 games played. Clarke scored two points in the last regular season series against Wisconsin and went on to score another two in the WCHA Final Five semifinal game. She was later named to the All-Tournament team.
The Most Improved Player award went to freshman Krista Johnson. In 36 games played, Johnson scored three points. Johnson saw her minutes increase throughout the season and scored her first career goal against St. Cloud State, Jan. 11, 2003.
Melissa Coulombe finished the season with a plus/minus rating of +35. She was awarded the team's plus/minus award. Coulombe switched from a defenseman to a forward at the beginning of the second half of the season and went on to score 10 of her 17 points. It is the most points in a season for Coulombe.
The Gophers had two members earning the highest Grade Point Average award in Ronda Curtin and Kelsey Bills. The duo each had a 3.68 GPA in the last two semesters, dating back to spring of 2002. Bills is a Kinesiology major while Curtin will earn a degree in psychology this spring.
All 19 members of the Gopher women's hockey team earned letters. The complete list includes: Ashley Albrecht, Anderson, Bills, Chelsey Brodt, Winny Brodt, Clarke, Coulombe, Curtin, Darwitz, Glenn, Horak, Johnson, Brenda Reinen, Cecilia Retelle, Allie Sanchez, Kelly Stephens, Noelle Sutton, Stacy Troumbly and Krissy Wendell.
The 2003-04 captains were announced at the banquet. Clarke and Bills were named co-captains for the upcoming season. It will be the first year for Clarke as a captain and second for Bills after being an alternate captain last season.
