Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University RedHawks
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June 12, 2001
OXFORD, Ohio--Enjoying a season that included one Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship, two appearances in NCAA postseason action and several all-MAC performances, Miami University honored five student-athletes for their commendable efforts on the field and in the classroom.
Heading the awards list were Jason Knoedler (Springfield, Ill./HS), Andrea Cunningham (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley) and Andrea Kremer (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard), who were named Miami's 2000-01 respective Male and co-Female Athletes of the Year. Erin Donovan (Millersville, Md./Severna Park) was the RedHawk Female Student-Athlete of the Year while Mike Ensminger (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) was tabbed Male Student-Athlete of the Year.
"Miami can be proud of these fine young ambassadors, who have represented our institution with distinction both in the athletic arena and in the classroom," said athletics director Joel Maturi. "Everyone in the Miami community can applaud these outstanding student-athletes, who have served as role models for our fans."
Knoedler, a second-team All-American, led the baseball team to its fourth consecutive Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game appearance. A first-team all-MAC selection, Knoedler shattered Miami and MAC single-season records for hits and runs and broke additional Miami single-season records for home runs and total bases. He also ranks among the top six on the MAC's single-season charts in five additional categories. Twice named MAC Player of the Week, Knoedler also earned Fresno State Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic All-Tournament Team accolades. Recently the junior was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the sixth round of the 2001 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft
Cunningham, a first-team All-American and Ohio Player of the Year, led the women's soccer team to a MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in only the program's fourth year of existence. The sophomore also garnered all-Great Lakes Region recognition by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Soccer Buzz Magazine and was a first-team all-MAC selection. Her 16 goals set a Miami single season record, while she has become Miami's career leader in goals and points in just two short years. During her two-year stint, the RedHawks have posted a 30-11-1 record, including consecutive berths in the MAC Tournament championship game.
Kremer became Miami's first women's track and field athlete to automatically qualify and compete at the NCAA Championships since 1997, earning All-America status with a 10th-place finish in the inaugural 3,000-meter steeplechase. Capturing the MAC Championship in the 3,000-meter steeple chase, Kremer garnered first-team all-MAC plaudits and was named the 2001 MAC Most Outstanding Female Athlete of the track and field championships. She finished first in the steeplechase in all but two meets this season. Additionally, Kremer claimed second-team all-MAC honors in cross country by finishing seventh at the MAC meet, the highest finish of any league freshman this season. Kremer is the first freshman to attain Miami Female Athlete of the Year status, golf's Maarten van den Berg was the first freshman named athlete of the year in 1994.
Donovan, who finished her career with a 3.62 grade point average while majoring in engineering management, led Miami's synchronized skating program to its first international gold medal at the Prague Cup. Named team captain, Donovan was honored as Miami's Outstanding Senior and earned the Thomas J. Fischer Outstanding Skater Award. She led Miami to a silver medal at the U.S. National Synchronized Skating Championships and an ninth-place finish at the International Skating Union's World Synchronized Championships. During her career, she helped Miami to four top-three finishes at the U.S. National Championships and three trips to the ISU World Synchronized Championships. In 1998-99, the team captured the national title. Donovan became the first Miami synchronized skater to test and earn the status of USFSA Synchronized Skating Judge.
Ensminger, who earned his bachelor's degree in political science with a 3.83 GPA, led the men's basketball team to its fourth consecutive MAC Tournament championship game appearance. Named Playboy Magazine's Anson Mount Scholar-Athlete of the Year, which yielded $5,000 for Miami's general scholarship fund, Ensminger also garnered national recognition as a third-team Verizon Academic All-American. He earned four postseason team awards following the 2000-01 season and was a four-time recipient of the team's Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. Ensminger also was named MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week following his performances against Notre Dame and Dayton. The senior forward led the team this season in field goal percentage and ranked second on the team in rebounds and assists.
Miami's Male and Female Athlete of the Year honors are awarded to any student-athlete (freshman, sophomore, junior or senior), who has made significant athletic contributions to his or her respective team for that academic year. The Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards are bestowed upon a student-athlete of senior standing, who has excelled in the classroom as well as in the athletic arena.