Five Hendrix athletes were honored with special achievement awards Friday night at the college's sports banquet at Grove Gymnasium.
Hendrix awarded two athletes each with the Carl Babcock Award, Bob Courtway Leadership Award while recognizing one female athlete as the NCAA Woman of the Year at the college.
Senior tennis player William Matthews and senior softball player McKinzie Frutchl were presented the Carl Babcock Award, giving in memory of the former Hendrix athlete and head track coach at North Texas State who was killed in an automobile accident. The award is given annually to a male and female athlete who best exhibit those character traits for which Babcock possessed: clean and vigorous competition, pursuit of excellence, dedication to physical health and well-being, team above self and honor above victory.
Matthews, from Abilene, Texas, has been regarded as the Warriors' most intense and disciplined player on the court.
"William has always been an outstanding competitor and a gentleman at the same time," said coach Harold Henderson. "I have never had anyone train and play with more intensity than Will. His politeness towards opponents and desire to play every point all out makes him a great role model for our underclassmen."
Fruchtl, from Fayetteville, has been Hendrix's starting catcher for four years, resulting in 165 straight games behind the plate.
"McKinzie is the epitome of what the Carl Babcock Award stands for," said softball coach Amy Weaver. "Her hard work and dedication has made a tremendous impact on the softball program over the last four years. In addition, the leadership she has provided, especially this season, has set the standard for future leaders in the years to come."
Senior soccer player Allison Wolf and senior swimmer Joe Sullivan were given the Coach Bob Courtway Leadership Award, named for the late athletic director, coach and civic leader. That award is given to athletes who exemplify Courtway's ideals of character, leadership, sportsmanship, service and integrity.
Wolf, from Farmers Branch, Texas, served as captain of the woman's soccer team and was co-captain in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is also a member of the Warriors' Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
"Allison has been a tremendous asset to our athletic community since she arrived on campus four years ago," said Director of Athletics Danny Powell. "From her work as a team captain, a student-athlete Advisory Committee representative, a leader in the Conway community through her work as founder of a soccer league for disabled youth, and as an all-conference player, she has been a true leader on and off the field."
Sullivan, from Smithville, was a leader in the pool and the classroom.
"Joe epitomizes the student athlete," said swim coach Jim Kelly. "He is well aware of the integrity it takes to be a leader both in and out of the pool regarding the swim family (team)."
The NCAA Woman of the Year award is sponsored by the NCAA and is given annually to the female athlete at Hendrix who best exhibits service, leadership, athletics excellence and the involvement that participation in athletics has had upon the nominee's life.
Hendrix basketball player Samantha Clark of Little Rock was this year's honoree.
(Little Rock, Ark./Lutheran H.S.). Clark manages to balance a challenging academic load and earn high honors as a basketball player.
"Samantha is a dedicated student-athlete who put in a tremendous amount of effort to improve her academic and athletic endeavors," said Hendrix women's basketball coach Chris Hitchcock. "She has matured into a strong leader and through volunteer and service projects has been active in our community."
