North Park Announces Athletic Award Recipients

Sportspersons of the Year

• Male Sportsperson of the Year: Matt Lindahl, basketball and golf. Other nominees were Adam Johnson, soccer, and Joel Youngberg, golf. Lindahl also was the winner of the basketball team's Reed Larson Team Spirit Award, given to the athlete who best demonstrates respect, work ethic and the mentoring of other players.
• Female Sportsperson of the Year: Co-honorees were Katie Ritti, softball, and Jenny Williams, volleyball. The other nominee was Angela Zirk, soccer. Ritti has been a four-year starter at second base for the softball team. Chosen team captain for the 2004 season because of her quiet leadership abilities, Ritti finished the season with a career best .368 batting average. Twice during her career, she suffered season-ending injuries while diving for a ball in the gap. Williams was described as the "spiritual leader" of the volleyball team. She was the team captain for two years, and 2004 team most valuable player. She also was named conference player of the week last October. Off the court, she has traveled on a mission trip as well as worked at Covenant Point Bible Camp for two years.
• Both sportsperson awards were given to honor "outstanding sportsmanship and ethical conduct" during the athletes' careers at the university.

Athletes of the Year

• Male Athlete of the Year: Henrik Wihlborg, soccer. Other nominees were Matt Lindahl, golf and basketball; Michael Rotenberry, football; and Lamar Townsend, basketball. Wihlborg has been the two-time captain of the soccer team, recognized on the conference and region level for his academic achievement as well as his performance on the field. A three-year starter, Wihlborg led the team to a conference championship and a 33-13-9 record.
• Female Athlete of the Year: Lucia Abel, track and field and cross country. Other nominees were Rachel Anderson, soccer, and Amanda Klufetos, volleyball. Abel has had a distinguished athletic career at NPU, winning several championships in the long jump and triple jump. She has won All-America honors three times, as well as being a letter winner in cross country. Abel also earned the Merle Chapman Leadership Award two years in a row. The award recognizes leadership, service and sportsmanship. Her peers on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee selected her for the honor.

Printable version of this page.