The Online Reflector

The University of Indianapolis Greyhound Club presented two different awards to three student-athletes at the 39th Annual Senior Buffet on April 4. NCAA Director for Division I Baseball and Football Damani Leech gave a special keynote address before the awards were presented.

The first award was the Angus Nicoson “Something Extra” Award which went to senior tennis player Pete Wilson and junior softball pitcher Audrey Ernst.

This particular award is given each year to one male and one female who display success in both athletics and academics.

Wilson said that he was happy to have receive the award.

“I felt really privileged to actually get the award because it’s such a huge honor and only one [male] senior gets it every year,” Wilson said. “I had no clue I was going to get the award.”

According to Ernst, coaches nominate athletes by writing letters about that individual’s achievements and why he or she deserves the award. Winners are selected each year by previous winners of the Angus Nicoson Award.

“It just means a lot that they recognized all of the hard work I’ve put forth,” Ernst said. “And it means a lot to me because our coaches had to write a letter. So it means that she [Head Coach Melissa Frost-Fisher] wrote a very good letter, and she thinks highly of me, and she’s someone I respect.”

Wilson transferred to UIndy two years ago from Southern Indiana University-Edwardsville. During his two seasons with the Greyhounds he kept a 3.96 GPA and compiled a 22-21 doubles record and a 5-4 singles record. He said that he has really enjoyed his time at UIndy and the friendships he’s developed.

“At SIU-E, we had really, really big classes, and the professors didn’t really have time for the students,” Wilson said. “But here, it’s just been awesome having the faculty actually care about the students as individuals instead of as a whole.”

In the fall, Wilson will be working toward a master’s degree in clinical psychology.

“I hope to someday own my own private practice and help children and adolescents with mental illnesses cope with them and overcome them,” Wilson said.

As a senior, Wilson offered some advice to his teammates about being a team player and respecting each other.

“Have an open mind towards other teammates,” he said. “Don’t judge other teammates based on certain personality characteristics because you are a team, and you all should push each other in the right direction.”

Wilson also hopes to help out with the tennis team next year and plans to keep playing whenever he can.

“I can’t just stop playing tennis because it’s one of my passions,” he said.

Ernst, the other recipient of the Angus Nicoson Award, is a Lilly Endowment Scholar for the Greyhounds’ softball team. She has maintained a 3.93 GPA and said that she finds balancing school and athletics easier for her during the season.

“I always work better whenever I’m busy,” she said. “When I’m busy and have a lot to do, I don’t have a lot of time for other things and distractions. So I’ve always worked better having the structured schedule that being a student-athlete gives me.”

According to Ernst, Frost-Fisher also helps make sure that school work comes first and is made a priority.

“Even though we do have practice often and it does take up a major chunk of my day, our coach gives us study tables,” Ernst said. “And you know that after practice you have something to do,  and you know all the girls are in the same situation you are.”

In the fall, Ernst will attend UIndy’s Krannert School of Physical Therapy to pursue a doctorate.

She said she also wants to stick around to help out with the softball team wherever she is needed.

The Richard E. Shrier Scholarship was awarded to senior soccer player Libby Anderl, who will also be pursuing a doctorate at the UIndy Krannert School of Physical Therapy in the fall.

The Richard E. Shrier Scholarship was created to help graduating student-athletes pursue a graduate degree.

“Since I’m going to PT [Physical Therapy] school here in the fall, really every little bit helps,” Anderl said. “So the fact that they [the Greyhound Club] selected me for it was really humbling.”

Anderl also was named Capital One Second Team Academic All-American as a senior. She said that since her freshman year, being named an Academic All-American was a big goal for her. Anderl was a two-time captain for the soccer team and has maintained a 4.0 GPA.

According to her, balancing school is easier when she’s busy with soccer.

“I think when you have less time you have to be more organized,” she said. “I always found it easier when I was playing soccer. ”

Although she has not narrowed down what she wants to do or where she wants to work once she completes her doctorate in physical therapy, Anderl said that she will keep an open mind and hopes that an internship through the program will help her decide.

“In an ideal world, I’d love to work with athletes, specifically college athletes, but I don’t know how realistic that is,” she said. “I’m kind of keeping my options open.”