Thu, Apr. 18, 2013 – [OLLU] – by Patricia Constantin, Our Lady of the Lake University
SAN ANTONIO (April 17, 2013) — Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) honored and recognized the accomplishments of student athletes throughout the 2012-2013 season during its second annual Big Blue All-Sports Athletic Banquet. The event was held in the Mabee Gymnasium and was emceed by Jay Tope, who will return next season to assume his duties as the Voice of the Saints.
The evening began with an invocation by OLLU President Sister Jane Ann Slater, CDP, PhD. Following dinner, a video recapping the seasons of all sports followed. Michael Thompson, who provides play-by-play announcing of basketball and volleyball games for OLLU, produced the video.
Vice President for Student Life and Athletic Director Jack Hank gave an overview of the seasons and thanked parents, coaches, students and staff for their dedication throughout the year. Each head coach presented various individual awards to their team-members.
The University instituted the first-ever Top Saint Awards this year. The head coaches of each team nominated one player who excelled in academics, athletics and community service as a member of his or her team in 2012-2013. The names and accomplishments of the nominees were then sent to the selection committee for voting of the Top Big Blue Saint Award.
The nominees included: Cross-Country’s Laura Echeverria; Men’s Basketball’s Juan “Eddie” Ortiz; Women’s Basketball’s Nashae Owens; Golf’s Aaron Flores; Men’s Soccer’s Martin Hansson; Women’s Soccer’s Nikole Gase; Softball’s Kailyn Miller; Men’s Tennis’ Matt Ellis (pictured at left); Women’s Tennis’ Leslie Cooper; and Volleyball’s Desirea Aguilar.
The recipient of 2012-2013 Big Blue Top Saint as chosen by the committee was Aaron Flores. Flores was selected based on:
- Community Service: two-year volunteer participant in Patriot All-America Invitational. He was especially invited to participate in the tournament, whose profits benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation that provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation. He also volunteers as assistant coach at Holy Cross High School guiding the team to a championship season.
- Athletic Accomplishments: All-Conference First-Team, Conference Tournament Runner-Up, NAIA National Tournament – 7th Place, NAIA All-Tournament Team, NAIA All-America Honorable Mention Team, GCAA NAIA PING All-America 3rd Team, Conference Scholar Athlete, Top Medalist in San Antonio Shootout
- Academics: 4.0 GPA in fall 2012 and spring 2012.