Ten Student-Athletes Honored as SOU Announces 2013 Raider Rival Awards
ASHLAND – The Southern Oregon athletic department announced its 2013 Raider Rival Award honorees Thursday, recognizing 10 of the top student-athletes from opposing teams that competed against SOU this year.
Each SOU program was asked to pick an individual from an NAIA opponent who best embodied the five core character values of the NAIA's Champions of Character Initiative: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
The Raider Rival Awards were established in 2010 to give SOU student-athletes a chance to honor those opposing players who the Raiders would want as their teammates.
Coach Craig Howard and the SOU football program selected two Raider Rivals this year, honoring linebacker Howard McDonald from Eastern Oregon on defense and Carroll College quarterback Dakota Stonehouse on offense.
"Howard was not only a great linebacker for the Mountaineers, but he was a terrific leader," Howard said. "He played the game with a tremendous passion. And I love how competitive Dakota is. They say competitive greatness is being your best when your best was needed, and in our game against Carroll Dakota kept making great play after great play."
The SOU volleyball team selected Northwest Christian hitter Tami Brown. According to head coach Josh Rohlfing, "Tami is a fierce competitor that we admired throughout the 2012 season. She not only competed hard night in and night out, but she made everyone around her better."
Southern Oregon's women's soccer team chose Jenna Peterson, who battled back from an injury in 2011 to earn All-American honors as a senior while leading the Cavaliers' defense. Head coach Jon Clement praised Peterson's poise and leadership, calling her a "marvelous competitor."
The fall cross country and spring track and field programs combined to select two honorees: one male and one female student-athlete. The teams chose College of Idaho runner Hillary Holt - the Cascade Collegiate Conference Women's Athlete of the Year and 2012 NAIA Cross Country National Champion - and junior distance runner Isaac Updike from Eastern Oregon.
"Isaac and Hillary both epitomize the word 'competitor,'" SOU head coach Grier Gatlin said. They are tough, willful and always bring their 'A' game to competitions."
From the winter sports season, both the men's and women's basketball teams selected a student-athlete from Northwest University. The men's team chose junior forward Michael Greene, with head coach Brian McDermott describing Michael as "the ultimate team player. He has a wonderful demeanor both on and off the floor and is a joy to watch play – unless you have to guard him."
The women's basketball team chose the Eagles' Domi Mendezona. According to head coach Lynn Kennedy, "Domi is not only a talented point guard who has the ability to find her open teammates and score at any time, but she is also an exceptional person. She always competes hard and has an amazing attitude and love for the game. Without a doubt, Domi is a student-athlete who exemplifies the Champions of Character values of the NAIA."
The SOU wrestling team selected senior wrestler Myles Mazurkiewicz from University of Great Falls. Head coach Mike Ritchey described Myles as "a great young man who we watched mature as a wrestler over the past five years and will graduate this year. He has a true competitive spirit and comes from a great wrestling family."
Southern Oregon's softball team wraps up the 2013 Raider Rival Awards by honoring Corban All-American and Cascade Collegiate Conference Player of the Year Stephanie Nippert. Head coach Kim Fritts explained the selection by saying, "Obviously we know how great of a player she is, but she's also very down to earth. She is the epitome of good sportsmanship and always carries herself with class. That's what we all strive for."