June 10, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Busy summer ahead for Cardinal stars

by Rick Eymer

Like most college graduates, Stanford seniors Tony Azevedo and Ogonna Nnamani have travel plans this summer.

Traveling is nothing new to Azevedo or Nnamani, however, and they won't be donning backpacks and hiking in some isolated part of Europe.

Azevedo, the four-time Player of the Year in collegiate water polo and two-time Olympian, knows he'll be in Belgrade, Serbia, Montenegro next week and in Stuttgart, Germany the following week.

Nnamani, an Olympian, a four-time All-American and reigning Player of the Year in collegiate women's volleyball, has plans to be in the Dominican Republic today, and will no doubt travel to several different parts of the planet before the summer is over.

Azevedo, who recently completed his rookie professional season abroad with Club Bissolati in Ceremona, Italy, will be playing for the United States national water polo team (joining Stanford grad Peter Hudnut) in the FINA World League, while Nnamani will be playing for the United States national women's volleyball team (joining incoming Stanford freshman Cynthia Barboza) at the Pan American Cup.

All of which is merely a way to introduce the winners of The Al Masters Award, which is presented to the Stanford athlete attaining the highest standards of athletic performance, leadership, and academic achievement.

In other words, Mr. Tony Azevedo and Ms. Ogonna Nnamani, you are honored with Stanford's highest athletic award.

Azevedo leaves Stanford as perhaps the most decorated men's water polo player in history, and the most recognizable water polo player in America.

Nnamani departs the hallowed halls of The Farm as the greatest outside hitter in the history of the Pac-10.

Their stated goals? Azevedo has time and again expressed an interest in bring a gold medal home to the United States; Nnamani hopes to keep the American national team (with new coach Lang Ping) on the road toward become a world power and a gold medal.

Here's the thing: there's no reason to doubt either of their intentions. Azevedo and Nnamani are among the most driven athletes Stanford has produced, and they join a distinguished list which includes Super Bowl champions, Heisman Trophy winners, Olympic gold medalists, Cy Young Award winners, well, you get the idea.

Azevedo and Nnamani take a back seat to no one. They are among the best in the world in their respective sports.

While at Stanford, each helped their respective teams win two NCAA titles. Azevedo is the all-time goal leader for the Cardinal, Nnamani the career kills leader. And both men's water polo and women's volleyball have a long history of success, which each sport producing several Olympians.

Azevedo and Nnamani aren't just the best athletes at Stanford this year; they belong in the rarified air that usually calls for Hall of Fame induction. Azevedo and Nnamani top the list of Stanford athletic awards, and they are joined by several other outstanding athletes who competed on The Farm.

The Biff Hoffman Award, given to the most outstanding male senior, is shared by track performer Ian Dobson and swimmer Gary Marshall. Dobson, who earned a spot on the national cross country team and ran at the world championships, is competing at the NCAA championships in Sacramento State this weekend, hoping to improve on his second-place national finish in the 5,000 meters from last year. Marshall won an NCAA title in the 100 breast.

The Stanford Athletic Board Award for the most outstanding female senior was presented to distance runner Sara Bei and synchronized swimmer Katie Norris. Bei, also competing in the track championships, helped Stanford to an NCAA title in cross country with a third-place finish in 2003 and was second in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA track championships in 2004. Norris helped Stanford win the national collegiate title this year and she went on to capture the solo title at the Aflac National Synchronized Swimming Championships.

The Jake Gimbel Award, presented to the male senior for Excellence of Attitude in Athletic Endeavor, is shared by swimmer Jayme Cramer, wrestler Matt Gentry and men's volleyball player Kevin Hansen.

The Pam Strathairn Award, given to the female senior with the best competitive attitude, went to basketball player Susan King Borchardt and swimmer Lacey Boutwell.

Gymnast Ambert Yeung (3.741 GPA) earned the Block "S" Honors Award for Men, given to the senior varsity male letterwinner with the highest GPA.

Lightweight crew member Kristina Peterson (3.926 GPA) earned the Block "S" Honors Award for Women.

Tennis player Sam Warburg was honored as the Conference Male Athlete of the Year, while soccer player Nicole Barnhart, swimmer Caroline Bruce and basketball's Candice Wiggins were honored as Conference Female Athlete of the Year.

The Outstanding Male Junior Award was presented to basketball's Chris Hernandez and crew's Adam Kreek, while the Outstanding Female Junior Award was presented tennis player Alice Barnes and softball player Catalina Morris.

Swimmer Ben Wildman-Tobriner was presented the Outstanding Male Sophomore Award, while the Outstanding Female Sophomore Award is shared by tennis player Theresa Logar, water polo goalie Meridith McColl, volleyball's Kristin Richards and tennis player Anne Yelsey.

Golfer Rob Grube was named the Top Male Freshman Athlete, while volleyball player Bryn Kehoe, softball players Becky McCullough and Michelle Smith, and track star Erica McLain were named Top Female Freshmen Athletes.

The Donald Kennedy Award, presented to the Stanford senior athlete who best exhibits the combination of excellent academics, strong athletic ability, and a commitment to community service, is shared by soccer player Robby Fulton and crew member Jamie Schroeder.

The Thomas W. Ford Award, presented to the team whose student-athletes have demonstrated a special commitment to participation in local community outreach programs, went to football and women's water polo.

The Shirley Schoof Club Sports Athlete of the Year Award, presented to the student-athlete on a club team who demonstrates outstanding leadership, exemplifies fair play/sportsmanship, achieves excellence within the sport and is committed to community service, went to rugby's Olivia Anglade and cyclist Amber Rais.

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