University of Minnesota Athletics
Stephanie Price Honored as Gopher MVP in 2010
1/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Price enjoyed a sensational season capturing her first career All-America honor, while also collecting USTFCCCA Midwest Region Runner of the Year and All- Big Ten First Team accolades. The Mankato, Minn., native won the individual title in the NCAA Midwest Region Championships and was the Big Ten runner-up. She also clocked the 6-kilometer school record of 19 minutes, 55.5 seconds at the Big Ten Championships.
Veteran head coach Gary Wilson and his assistant head coach Sarah Hesser also presented a long list of team awards to members of the 2010 squad. The Gophers advanced to the NCAA Championships for a school-record sixth consecutive season.
Earning the Gophers’ Most Improved Award was senior Nikki Swenson and redshirt freshman Jessica Schmidt. Swenson captured All-NCAA Midwest Region and All-Big Ten Second Team honors last fall.
The Freshman of the Year award went to Ashlie Decker, a true freshman who earned a spot on the Gophers’ championships lineup and was a top-20 finisher in the Big Ten Championships.
With so many redshirt freshmen competing in the 2010 season, the Gophers also awarded a Rookie of the Year award. Redshirt freshman Missa Varpness, the Gophers’ number-two runner for virtually the entire season was the recipient of the honor. Varpness earned both All-NCAA Midwest Region and All-Big Ten Second Team accord in her first season of competition.
The Coaches Award is an honor bestowed on an athlete, or in this case, athletes, who have assisted the coaches going above and beyond the call of duty. The 2010 award was shared by sophomore Kathryn Ritter and sophomore Danielle LeBreck.
The Comeback Award was presented to redshirt freshman Cassy Opitz, while the Blue Collar Award went to redshirt freshman Laura Docherty. The Tough as Nails Award winner was Katie Moraczewski.
The last award of the banquet presented each season is a special one, the Carl Barylak Inspiration Award, honoring an athlete who shows the true spirit of being a Golden Gopher. Senior Kelly Wilson was honored with the 2010 award.
Players Mentioned
