St. Joseph, Minn. – The athletic year is nearly complete, and in the culmination of another successful season the College of Saint Benedict athletic department announced its annual athletic awards, highlighting the many achievements of the past nine months.
The big prize given away was the Presidential Award, given
Danielle Busch (New Prague, Minn.), a senior on the track and field team. The Presidential Award is the highest honor at the Blazer Awards program, and is given to a senior athlete who has displayed success at the highest level in each of three areas: athletics, academics and community service.
In the classroom, Busch carries a 3.81 GPA in biology with a minor in psychology, and is a four-time Dean's List member. Also a Regent Trustee Scholarship Recipient who will graduate Magna Cum Laude, three times she has earned U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team honors.
On the track, she is a champion pole vaulter, winning three MIAC titles, while also earning All-MIAC honors three times. Heading into her final season, she is already a four-time NCAA meet participant, finishing as high as 10th in the nation.
In the community, she has been an Executive Board member of the Up 'Til Dawn organization, and has co-organized an Autism Awareness event. Busch has also served as a Special Olympics swim coach and been a member of the CSB/SJU branch of Optimist International.
She will compete at the MIAC Championships this weekend, entering at the 10th seed in the pole vault.
Earning the Scholar Athlete Award was volleyball junior
Kathryn Gaydos (Savage, Minn.). In three years at CSB, Gaydos has shown nothing short of perfection in the classroom, holding a GPA of 4.00, while majoring in history and economics. Also a captain on the Blazer volleyball team, she has been an Academic All-MIAC honoree and is a member of the CSB Honor Roll.
Earning the Blazer Sportsmanship Award was senior
Caitlin Goodman (Eugene, Ore.). A member of both the cross country and track and field teams, Goodman earns the honor for her day in and day out attitude of care and concern within and beyond her team. A member of Blazer contingent to compete at both the MIAC and NCAA Regional cross country championships, she is known for her positive spirit and smile, with an outlook that was always searching for the best in every situation.
The last of the individual honors handed out was the Margy Hughes Inspirational Award. This year's recipient was assistant athletic trainer and SAAC co-advisor Erin Miller. Hughes was a professor at the College of Saint Benedict for over 35 years and has played an instrumental role as a leader in the physical education department and in the development of Blazer Athletics.
As an athletic trainer, Miller makes an obvious impact on the daily lives of athletes, but it is her initiative to establish personal relationships with athletes that shows a genuine concern for each and every Blazer. She shares her inspiration through words of encouragement, great attitude and dedication, helping fuel the athletes continue to pursue their dreams.
The Blazers also announced the nominees for Athlete of the Year and Rookie of the Year, awards that will be announced later this summer, after the conclusion of spring sports.
Athlete of the Year nominees:
Rookie of the Year nominees:
