OCR Text |
Show IRD SPORTS Ingram: Family man, scholar, athlete Reggie Ingram During Saturday night's Thunderbird Awards ceremony, there was a hush as the male athlete of the year was about to be announced. Though there were several very spectacular athletes on the list of nominees, it was basketball phenomenon Reggie Ingram who came out on the top of the heap. Ingram, a four-year starter for the Thunderbirds, claimed the male athlete award for his part in SUU's second straight American West Conference championship. Ingram was a unanimous pick to the AWC first team this year after leading the Thunderbirds in assists, s teals, blocked shots and free throw percentage. He finished his SUU career with the second most assists in school history (305) and 973 career points. Though originally from Chicago, Ingram was recruited out of Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nev. After spending four years at Southern Utah, Ingram is pleased with the amount of maturing and growth that has taken place during his time in Ceqar City. "This school has helped· me a lot over the past four years. I've been able to grow," said Ingram. "This was a real small school when I first came, and we played against some big teams, but I'm glad that SUU always worked hard and tried to improve. I wanted the program to improve. I just wanted to help the school. "I'm really thankful to win this award," said Ingram. "And I' m really surprised I got the award, as well. It's unbelievable. It's a good way to go out after four years. SUU has Cather: Leadership, dedication Southern Utah University gymnastics will miss star athlete Stacy Cather. Through hard work and dedication to her sport, the senior from Murray, Utah, gave SUU all she had over her four years as a Thunderbird. On Saturday night SUU was able to give a little something back to Cather by naming her the Female Athlete of the Year at this year's Thunderbird Awards ceremony. Cather closed her SUU career this spring with a flourish, finishing with her three personal best scores. AI}long those marks were a school record 9 .9 on floor exercise in the final home meet and the team's secondbest all-around score (38.800) of the season in the final meet of the year at Utah. At the NCAA Regional meet in Salt Lake City, Cather capped the season by leading SUU's contingent with a 38 .6 mark in the all-around. Cather, the captain of the team, is characterized as being a good team leader and a hard worker by teammate and best friend Janica Hayes. Said Hayes, " I think it's great. She deserves it. Stacy worked really hard and competed to her potential this year." "I think it's pretty cool," cather said of th,e ward. "I'm very honored. It really was a surprise to me. I had no idea I was going to win. I was just happy about being nominated. Everyone who was nominated are all very good athletes and great people. I didn't expect to win." Other nominees for Female Athlete of the Year were Julie Talbot (gymnastics), Cherri Frandsen (basketball), Myndee Larsen (basketball) and Heather Olsen (softball). SUU Head Gymnastic Coach Scott Bauman agrees, "There were some tough athletes on that list . I feel Stacy very much deserved to win. Sh e is a fine example, both in and out of the classroom, of what this university is looking to portray. She is a super kid. She lives a good, clean, honest life and she works hard. She deserved to win." Bauman emphasized that Cather is a three time academic All-American, despite the fact that the athletes were spending upwards of six hours a day in the gym. "I' m happy that Stacy won . No gymnast has ever won this award, and I'm glad it was her," said Bauman. "She was last season's MVP and this season's team captain. Stacy really kept the team up with her leadership skills. She is a formidable person as well as a competitor." Though a senior, Cather has one more year to finish out her degree in elementary education . She plans on staying in the Gedar City area for a few years after graduating next spring. "I really like the small town, but I am looking forward to moving a little closer to home after awhile," she said. Husband Shane Cather had plenty to say of his wife's honor. "It's great. Exciting. It was nice to watch her get excited about winning. I'm really proud of her," said Cather. " She put forth a lot of effort this season and it paid off." T he Cathers will be celebrating their one year anniversary this June. In the the meantime though, they are celebrating Shane scoring a teaching job. Good things seem to come in droves. When asked about her future, Cather said that she is going to help coach the gymnastics squad next season. She is really looking forward to some time off to let her body heal. " Next season when competition comes around and everyone is out on the floor, I'm going to be sad. I' ll miss being on the floor, but it's time to relax. My body's getting old," said Cather. Stacy Cather meant a lot to me, and I'm honored." Ingram has one more quarter of school left before he obtains his degree in secondary education.He doesn't know where he would eventually like to teach, just as long as it isn't in a big city or a bad area . "I'd like to go wherever the money is, but I do have two small children to think about, " said Ingram . "I'd also like to think my coaches for all they have done over the years. They helped out a lot, and without them, I wouldn't be where I am today ." Said Coach Bill Evans, "Reggie was selected out of an outstanding group of nominees. There were some great athletes on that list. I'm probably just as proud of Reggie winning as he is." According to Evans, Ingram stands for everything that a student/ athlete should stand for. Not only does he work hard on the basketball court, bu t he works equally as hard in the classroom. "Reggie is great student and a wonderful father and husband, " said Evans. Not only is Ingra m a hard worker on the court, but he works just as hard off the court. According to Evans, when Ingram first moved to Cedar City as a freshman, he not only attended school, but he worked two very difficult jobs. "Reggie does what he has to do, " said Evans. "He is real down-toearth and a very nice guy." Other nominees for male athlete of the year were: Tom fohnson (golf), Kevin Cuthbertson (football l, Ted Hansen (track) and Ryan Jensen (baseball). |