Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University RedHawks
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July 17, 2002
OXFORD, Ohio-Miami University has honored six student-athletes for their commendable efforts on the field and in the classroom. Heading the awards list were Ben Roethlisberger (Findlay, Ohio/HS), John Carroll (Toledo, Ohio/St. Francis) and Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo), who were named Miami's 2001-02 respective co-Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Emily Nayes (Eden Prairie, Minn./HS) was the RedHawk Female Student-Athlete of the Year, while Jason Finck (Villa Hills, Ky./Beechwood) and Ryan Gandre (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman) were tabbed co-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."
Roethlisberger, a Football Writers Association freshman All-American, re-wrote Miami's single-season records for passing yards (3,105), completions (241), touchdown passes (25), completion percentage (.663) and total offense (3,294), while leading all freshman quarterbacks nationally in passing yards, touchdown passes and total offense. Earning MAC Freshman of the Year plaudits, Roethlisberger became the first RedHawk since Deland McCullough to capture the honor. Additionally, he was a three-time MAC East Division Player of the Week and also USA Today's MAC Player of the Week on three occasions. A second-team all-MAC selection, Roethlisberger enjoyed his most productive game at Hawai'i, where he set Miami single-game records for completions, attempts and yardage, going 40-of-53 for 452 yards.
Carroll earned MAC Swimmer of the Year accolades for the second time in his career. He also earned the honor as a sophomore. A nine-time MAC champion, Carroll tied the school record for most individual MAC titles and owns school records in the 400 individual medley and 800 freestyle relay. At the 2002 MAC Championship, Carroll successfully defended titles in the 500 freestyle, 400 IM, 200 butterfly and 800 freestyle relay. He also was part of the second-place 400 freestyle relay and third-place 200 and 400 medley relays. A four-time first-team all-MAC performer, he helped Miami to a school record 12 dual meet wins as a senior in 2001-02. Carroll, as a senior, qualified for the NCAA meet in three events last season (500 freestyle, 200 butterfly and 400 IM), finishing 17th in the 200 butterfly.
Just completing her junior season, Cusick is quickly becoming one of the most prolific players in Miami women's basketball history. She became just the second player and the first since Linda Mallender in 1983 to earn MAC Player of the Year honors. Averaging 17.5 points per game, Cusick also became the first since Mallender in 1983 to lead the conference in scoring and ranked among the top two in assists, steals and 3-point field goals made. Ranking nationally in four categories (steals, assists, made 3-point field goals and scoring), Cusick ranked among the MAC's Top 10 in eight of 12 major statistical categories. With one season left to play, Cusick already owns Miami career records for 20-point games (25) and assists (456), while ranking among Miami's all-time top 10 in seven other statistical categories. She is the first men's or women's basketball player to amass 1,000 points, 400 assists and 200 steals in a career.
Nayes, who finished her career with a 3.63 grade point average while majoring in speech language pathology and audiology, helped Miami's women's swimming and diving team to its 12th MAC Championship, an undefeated conference mark of 8-0, the best dual meet record in school history (14-1) and a No. 1 ranking in CollegeSwimming.com's Mid-Major Dual Meet poll. As a senior, Nayes earned conference titles in the 200 breaststroke and 400 individual medley, establishing school records in both events. Nayes was a three-time first-team all-MAC selection and three-time member of the MAC Honor Roll. She earned third-team at-large Verizon Academic All-District IV laurels in 2002.
Finck earned bachelor's degrees in management information systems and marketing with a 3.86 GPA and was an 11-time finalist at the MAC Men's Swimming and Diving Championships during his career. Finck enjoyed his best MAC Championship finishes as a freshman, placing third in the 200 backstroke and 200 IM. He was a three-time member of the MAC Honor Roll and helped Miami to a school record 12 dual meet wins as a senior in 2001-02.
Gandre earned a bachelor's degree in finance with a 3.72 GPA and was an seven-time finalist at the MAC Men's Swimming and Diving Championships during his career. As a senior, Gandre produced the best finish of his career at the MAC Championship, placing second in the 200 butterfly. He was a three-time member of the MAC Honor Roll and helped Miami to a school record 12 dual meet wins as a senior in 2001-02.
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.