2008 Woodie Awards
An the award goes to…
Issue date: 5/9/06 Section: Sports
Coach of the Year: Randy Bennett (Basketball)
Runners up: Jed Soto (Baseball), Steve Rammel (M. Soccer), Pasha Spencer (Crew)
When it came to it, no one could top what Bennett did this year. The Gaels lost four starters and were still able to come in second in the conference. They beat a top 25 team in Nevada and went to the wire against Gonzaga in the Kennel. If not for a few early conference miscues, we would have been in postseason action.
Senior of the Year: Tie-Daniel Kickert (M. Basketball) and Kaui Salzman (Volleyball)
Runners up: Sam Carter (Baseball), Gen Hollis (W. Soccer)
There were other seniors who statistically had better years than these two, but both Kickert and Salzman may both go down as the best players ever to play their respective sports at Saint Mary's and that was enough to garner this title. Kickert will leave the school as the all-time leading scorer in Gael history. Salzman, a four year starter and a first team all conference selection, has helped turn Saint Mary's into a powerhouse program, guiding the Gaels to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Freshman of the Year: Diamon Simpson (M. Basketball)
Runner up: Carlos Diaz (M. Soccer)
This was the tightest race, as both Diaz and Simpson garnered not only conference, but national recognition this season. In the end, Simpson deserved the award for the late season spark that he gave the Gaels during the WCC tournament. In the final two games of the season against Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount, Simpson surpassed Daniel Kickert as the primary post option. His free throws also improved greatly during that stretch.
Team of the Year: Men's Rugby
Runners up: Baseball, Men's Basketball, Women's Crew
This would have been closer, but baseball's late season fizzle really locked up this spot up for the rugby team. Aside from being the school's perennially most successful team, SMC finished ninth in the nation (CSTV.com) and advanced to the round of 32 in the rugby collegiate championships, eventually falling to the Utah Utes.
Runners up: Jed Soto (Baseball), Steve Rammel (M. Soccer), Pasha Spencer (Crew)
When it came to it, no one could top what Bennett did this year. The Gaels lost four starters and were still able to come in second in the conference. They beat a top 25 team in Nevada and went to the wire against Gonzaga in the Kennel. If not for a few early conference miscues, we would have been in postseason action.
Senior of the Year: Tie-Daniel Kickert (M. Basketball) and Kaui Salzman (Volleyball)
Runners up: Sam Carter (Baseball), Gen Hollis (W. Soccer)
There were other seniors who statistically had better years than these two, but both Kickert and Salzman may both go down as the best players ever to play their respective sports at Saint Mary's and that was enough to garner this title. Kickert will leave the school as the all-time leading scorer in Gael history. Salzman, a four year starter and a first team all conference selection, has helped turn Saint Mary's into a powerhouse program, guiding the Gaels to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Freshman of the Year: Diamon Simpson (M. Basketball)
Runner up: Carlos Diaz (M. Soccer)
This was the tightest race, as both Diaz and Simpson garnered not only conference, but national recognition this season. In the end, Simpson deserved the award for the late season spark that he gave the Gaels during the WCC tournament. In the final two games of the season against Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount, Simpson surpassed Daniel Kickert as the primary post option. His free throws also improved greatly during that stretch.
Team of the Year: Men's Rugby
Runners up: Baseball, Men's Basketball, Women's Crew
This would have been closer, but baseball's late season fizzle really locked up this spot up for the rugby team. Aside from being the school's perennially most successful team, SMC finished ninth in the nation (CSTV.com) and advanced to the round of 32 in the rugby collegiate championships, eventually falling to the Utah Utes.