Worcester, MA --- The WPI athletic department recently honored its student-athletes and teams during its annual awards banquet. The Engineers' 20 athletic programs were each honored at the ceremony, including regular-season conference champions in men's basketball, women's basketball and baseball.  12 major awards were presented, highlighting some of the best student-athletes at WPI, who excel both in their respective sports and in the classroom.  The big winners include seniors Connor McGrath, who took home the Melvin G. Massucco Award, and Nicole Maglione, who won the Varsity Club Award.

At the end of the evening it was revealed that WPI had won the 2009 Worcester Cup. Presented by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, the Cup is awarded to the Worcester-area school with the highest overall winning percentage during the academic year.  The 2008-2009 Cup marked the fourth win for WPI in the last six years.

2008-2009 Award winners

Frank C. Harrington ‘1898 Award - Bill Gibbons Sr.
Presented to a distinguished contributor to WPI Athletics over a significant period of time   
Gibbons has been the legendary voice of WPI men's and women's basketball and football for well over a decade.  The former decorated educator, coach and official is well-respected behind the microphone by WPI teams and opponents alike.  His distinctive voice, delivery and style give both Harrington Auditorium and Alumni Field a unique feel.
     

The John P. Coghlin Award - Ali Haney (Gardner, MA) - Women's Basketball
Presented to a team manager, who is eligible for a varsity letter, for carrying out invaluable service for his or her team.
Hardy helped run the team's game day and practice operations including running the clock, helping with drills and taking stats during games.  Her hard work and dedication was a large part of the team's success that included the NEWMAC regular season and ECAC New England Division III championships. 
 

The Charles R. McNulty Award - Andrew Lybarger (Atlanta, GA) - Men's Swimming
Presented to the outstanding male athlete in the freshman class.
In his first season, Lybargar won a NEWMAC title after dropping seven seconds in the 200-yard butterfly while setting a new school and Belfour Natatorium (Wheaton) record. He achieved NCAA provisional qualification standards in the 200-yard butterfly as well as in the 100-yard butterfly.  Lybargar was also part of two school record-setting relays, including one that missed the NCAA provisional standard by less than half a second.   
  

The Coaches Award - Chrystian Dennis (Boston, MA) - Women's Track and Field
Presented to the outstanding female athlete in the freshman class.
Dennis was a three-event ECAC Indoor qualifier in the 55m Dash, 200m and Long Jump. The freshman earned All-Indoor New England Division III honors in  the 55m dash (3rd) and 200 meters(7th), accounting for all the points scored by WPI at that meet (achieving a 16th place team finish on her own).  During the outdoor season, Dennis won three events at the Worcester City meet and scored valuable points at the NEWMAC championships despite an injury.

The Leo S. Jansson Award - Jeff Baker (Wallingford,  CT) - Men's Track and Field
Presented to the sophomore male athlete who best exemplifies the high standards expressed in "The WPI Athlete." The WPI Athlete is someone who, through hard work and positive attitude, achieves success above and beyond ability while representing the University with distinction. Baker earned a trip to his second straight NCAA Outdoor Track and Field championships after claiming the third longest javelin throw in the country this spring.   The sophomore brought home the gold for the second straight year at the NEWMAC Championships and took home top prize at the New England Division III Championships after finishing second as a freshman last spring.   His success was not limited to the javelin as he a Division III New England qualifier in the indoor shot and earned All-New England honors in the discus and hammer.     

The Carolyn McCabe Award - Kristen Garza (Kingston, MA) - Women's Soccer
Presented to the sophomore female athlete who best exemplifies the high standards expressed in "The WPI Athlete." The WPI Athlete is someone who, through hard work and positive attitude, achieves success above and beyond ability while representing the University with distinction.
Garza netted 10 goals and added four assists this past fall while earning her second straight All-NEWMAC selection.  Her success was not limited to the soccer field as she earned second team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors, a rare feat for a sophomore.  Garza has made her impact throughout campus as she is a member of the Crimson and Key Executive Board, the Phi Sigma Sigma house manager, the Secretary of the Class of 2011, a Panhellenic delegate and TIPS trainer.

Poly Club Award - Jarrett Arredondo (Somerville, MA) - Men's Track and Field (3.77 GPA)
Presented to the top male athlete in the junior class who has outstanding academic records along with campus involvement of a non-athletic nature.
Arredondo capped his outstanding junior campaign by earning All-America status in the hammer throw at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.  The NEWMAC champion in both the hammer and shot put placed seventh at the national championships with a heave of 173-11 feet.    A NCAA provisional qualifier indoors as well, Arredondo had a strong winter picking up All-New England and All-ECAC honors in both the shot and the weight throw.  He was also a member of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team.   

Poly Club Award - Kelly Johnson (Buxton, ME) - Field Hockey and Softball (4.00 GPA)
Presented to the top female athlete in the junior class who has outstanding academic records along with campus involvement of a non-athletic nature.
After missing virtually all of her sophomore year due to injury, Johnson's return to action sparked both the field hockey and softball programs to playoff performances this year.  She was recently named a ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I first team selection and will move to the national ballot for All-American consideration.  Johnson is the president of the SocComm while also involved with Alpha Phi Omega, Relay for Life, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Skull Senior Honor Society.
 

The Percy Carpenter Award - NT Izuchi, Men's Basketball
Presented to a senior male who displays the best example of sportsmanship while a WPI athlete.
Izuchi shined as a starter after serving as key reserve his first three years.  He was the defensive stopper, guarding players at all five positions and helping the Engineers to a NEWMAC-best 43-5 conference record over his four years.  A member of the NCAA Leadership Program, Izuchi was Big Brother mentor for four years and posted a 3.20 GPA in the classroom.  He was part of four NEWMAC regular season championships and participated in four NCAA Division III Tournaments.

The Patricia Graham Award - Caitlin Macko, Women's Basketball
Presented to a senior female who displays the best example of sportsmanship while a WPI athlete.
Macko led the Engineers to their second NEWMAC regular season title and ECAC New England championship in the last three years.  She served as a team captain and earned Academic All-Conference accolades while playing in a program-record 111 career games.   Macko was the anchor of a defensive effort that limited opponents to 50.5 ppg, seventh best out of 435 Division III teams.   Off the court she sported a 3.6 GPA and was a Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentor and a Rodman Ride participant.

The Melvin G. Massucco Award - Connor McGrath, Men's Crew
Presented to the male senior athlete on his achievements, contributions, character, leadership, sportsmanship, and promotion of school spirit during his four years at WPI.
McGrath was a two-year captain of the men's crew team at WPI and has been a mainstay for the Varsity Eight for three years.  He was a tremendous leader and one the main reasons that WPI has improved significantly over the past three years.  He led the team's off-season training program and exhibited great school and team spirit.  McGrath helped WPI to a great performance at the New England championships, a program-best second overall finish.

The Varsity Club Award - Nicole Maglione (Charlton, MA) - Field Hockey and Softball
Presented to the female senior athlete on her achievements, contributions, character, leadership, sportsmanship, and promotion of school spirit during her four years at WPI.
Maglione was a four-year starter and a senior captain in both field hockey and softball. Maglione has been named All-NEWMAC in field hockey the last two years while also leading the Engineers in scoring (11 goals, three assists in 2008). In softball, she has started in every game over her four years and paced the team this spring in batting average (.351), runs scored (28) and walks (15).