Flesch Named 2016 Hauptfuhrer Award Winner at Annual Celebration
WELLESLEY, Mass. – Wellesley College field hockey senior Hannah Flesch (Rockville, Md.) was named the 2016 recipient of the Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer '49 Scholar-Athlete Award at the annual Wellesley College Scholar-Athlete Awards Celebration, held May 3 at Tishman Commons.
The Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer '49 Award is named in honor of the long-time supporter of Wellesley College, Friends of Wellesley Athletics and Wellesley's Scholar-Athletes. Given annually to a senior who emulates the characteristics of a true scholar-athlete, the Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer '49 Scholar-Athlete Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics (PERA) department to honor a senior who combines excellence in scholarship, leadership, sportsmanship, and athletic achievement.
A three-time all-region selection and a four-time NEWMAC All-conference selection, Flesch started her career as the 2013 NEWMAC Rookie of the Year. An Environmental Studies and Political Science double major, she has earned NEWMAC and NFHCA All-Academic honors in every year she has been eligible, while helping lead the field hockey program to three consecutive elite eight appearances and NEWMAC Championships in 2013 and 2014.
Off the field, she was elected to Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, and was a Wellesley Delegate to the 2016 U.S. Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference. A recipient of a CWS Global Engagement Grant, she has also taken part in two Alternative Break Programs and was also a panelist discussing Climate Change in Vulnerable Communities at Wellesley's 2015 Tanner Conference.
Flesch was one of four nominees for this year's award, along with softball senior Carly Bresee (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), cross country/track & field senior Priyanka Fouda (Wellesley, Mass.), and swimming senior Dorothy Ren (San Jose, Calif.).
Friends of Wellesley Athletics also recognized former Assistant Soccer/Strength & Conditioning Coach Caitlin Pickul, and Wellesley's Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management & Planning Pete Zuraw as the recipients of this year's Honor Awards. Given to those individuals who have rendered outstanding service and support to athletics and recreation at Wellesley College. Pickul consistently exceeded the expectations of her job requirements to provide a positive experience for students. Zuraw is completing his tenth and final year at Wellesley and was a consistent supporter in upgrading athletic facilities, including the recent renovation of Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse.
The Friend's of Athletics Linda K. Vaughan Award, named in memory of the former PERA Chair/Director from 1973 to 1990, was presented to Joy Renjillian-Burgy, Associate Professor of Spanish and Latin American studies and Faculty Athletics Representative. In 2011, she assumed the role of the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative, and has been a generous donor to all varsity programs, and believes in the balance between the mind and body. Renjillian-Burgy, was on hand to receive the award and to present the Inspirational Award, renamed in her honor last year, to field hockey and lacrosse junior Courtney Peterson (Glastonbury, Conn.). A stand-out two-sport athlete, Peterson continues to compete despite being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
Field hockey senior Anissa Sridhar (London, Ontario, Canada) was the recipient of the Outstanding Senior Athlete Award, while Volleyball first year Yasmine Reece (New Rochelle, N.Y.) received the 2016 Rookie of the Year Award. Bresee receved the department's Most Outstanding Contribution Award, while juniors Sahar Ibrahim (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and Ailis Hanley (Cranston, R.I.) received Director's Awards in Sports Medicine and Sports Information, respectively.
The final award of the evening went to the basketball and track & field teams, as they earned the SAAC Blue Pride Award for conveying spirit, enthusiasm and support throughout the year. For a complete list of winners, see below.
2015-16 Wellesley College Athletics Department Award Winners:
Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer '49 Scholar-Athlete Award Nominees
Hannah Flesch '16 (Field Hockey) – Recipient
Carly Bresee '16 (Softball)
Priyanka Fouda '16 (Cross Country/Track & Field)
Dorothy Ren '16 (Swimming & Diving)
Friends of Athletics Honor Award
Caitlin Pickul, former Assistant Soccer/Strength & conditioning Coach
Pete Zuraw, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management & Planning
Linda K. Vaughan Award for Exceptional Service
Joy Renjillian-Burgy, Faculty Athletics Representative
Outstanding Senior Athlete
Anissa Sridhar '16 (Field Hockey)
Rookie of the Year
Yasmine Reece '19 (Volleyball)
Joy Renjillian-Burgy Inspirational Award
Courtney Peterson '17 (Field Hockey)
Most Outstanding Contribution Award
Carly Bresee '16 (Softball)
Director's Awards
Sports Medicine - Sahar Ibrahim '17 (Crew)
Sports Information - Ailis Hanley '17 (Basketball)
SAAC Blue Pride Award
Basketball and Track & Field
Wellesley Athletics supports the mission of the College by serving as an integral part of the overall educational experience. Through competitive intercollegiate athletics, students strive to achieve their potential while learning the value of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and a sense of obligation to, and responsibility for, others. Consistent with Wellesley's national reputation, the program's focus is excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels.