Thirteen Westmont athletes were honored on Thursday night at the Twelfth Annual Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner which was held at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort. Athletic Director Dave Wolf served as this year’s host for the celebration which is sponsored by the Pacific Beverage Company and Peter and Gerd Jordano. Golden Eagle recipients possess at least sophomore standing and maintain at least a GPA of 3.25.

Russell Smelly, cross country head coach, presented the Golden Eagle Award to seniors Luke Oliver and Jessica Goulder to the gathering. Oliver, a religious studies major with a 3.88 GPA, helped the Warriors return to the NAIA National Championships as a team this last fall for the first time since 2001. The return to nationals was the culmination of a four year goal by the NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete. Last May, Oliver competed in the marathon at the NAIA National Championships and plans to do the same this year in his final collegiate competition.

Goulder, who has earned a 3.65 GPA while pursuing a degree in kinesiology, learned the importance of making decision for herself while at Westmont. After her sophomore season, Goulder elected not to return to the cross country team. But a year later, she found herself ready to return because she wanted to do so, not because someone expected it of her. As a result, Goulder helped lead the Warriors to a return to the National Championship where she placed thirty-sixth. Goulder also recalled the ways in which Westmont helped her to develop a faith of her own.

In her first year as women’s basketball head coach, Kirsten McKnight presented awards to senior biology majors Sara Uhlman (3.74 GPA) and Meghan O’Donogue (3.72 GPS) as co-recipients of this year’s Golden Eagle Awards. Uhlman spoke of learning from her coach to pay attention to the little things, because the little things determined the outcome of the big things. McKnight spoke of Uhlman’s servant heart, especially as expressed in her role as a team captain.

McKnight noted O’Donogue’s dedication to becoming better not only at basketball, but academically and in all aspects of her life. On the court, O’Donogue became the most feared three-point shooter in the GSAC. She holds three Westmont career records (three-point field goals made, three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage), and in her sophomore year led the nation in three-point field goal percentage. O’Donogue will attend Cornell in the fall to become a physician’s assistant.

Rob Crawford, head coach of Westmont baseball, presented senior Dominick Paluso as this year’s Golden Eagle recipient for baseball. The kinesiology major holds the home run record for both career (35) and single season (14). He also sits atop the career slugging percentage list at .614. Crawford praised Paluso for his leadership whether on the field or in rallying teammates to help in hurricane relief efforts.

Representing women’s tennis was senior kinesiology major Jennifer Renfer (3.63 GPA). Head coach Kathy LeSage spoke of Renfer’s quiet maturity and leadership both on and off the court. LeSage noted that even as a freshman playing at the number one singles position, Renfer displayed a maturity that not only helped her to keep focused, but also set an example for the rest of the team. Renfer, who has struggled with back injury since her sophomore season, will have to sit out the rest of her senior season. But as team captain, she will still have an important role of the team.

Men’s tennis head coach Chris Elwood presented sophomore Kyle Godfrey, a pre-med chemistry major with a 3.73 GPA, the Golden Eagle Award. Elwood quipped that he doubted there was anyone else in the room with a 130 mile-per-hour serve and noted that Godfrey had the best serve-forehand combination since Ashley Fickel, the NAIA national runner-up in 1997.

Katie Rhodes was the Golden Eagle Award recipient for women’s soccer. Rebecca Mouw, first year women’s soccer coach described Rhodes as a quiet person in life but a fierce defender on the field. Rhodes, a liberal studies major with a 3.78 GPA, described how dedication and perseverance helped the team to survive the elements and push forward at the NAIA National Championships to reach the final four.

Volleyball head coach Jim Smoot introduced senior Amber Donovan as this year’s Golden Eagle recipient. A kinesiology major with a 3.71 GPA, Donovan holds the career assists record at Westmont (4,666) and is second in assists per game (11.55). Donovan recounted her freshman season when she suddenly found herself having to step into the role of starting setter when an upper classman was unable to compete in a tournament. The experience forced her into a leadership role – a role in which she served for four years.

Returning to the podium for a second time was Russell Smelley – this time as head coach of track and field. Smelley presented seniors April Louie and Nathan Fleming their Golden Eagle awards. Noting Louie’s tendency toward perfectionism, Russell thought it odd that she would pursue an event like pole vaulting where every competition ends with an unsuccessful attempt. Louie noted that academics was simple – “You study, if you don’t understand it you study some more or you go to office hours and then study more until you understand.” But athletics proved to be more of a puzzle, and a teacher of life lessons.

Smelley introduced Fleming as a man who inherited the southern charms of his mother and the intellect and craziness of his father. The English and Biology major earned All-American honors in the javelin at the NAIA National Championships last May and hold the Westmont record at 202’ 7”. Fleming shared a love for life and a desire to be childlike without being childish.

Senior Kevin Bartel was the men’s basketball Golden Eagle Award winner and was introduced by head coach John Moore. Moore pointed to Bartel’s Mennonite roots and his parents and fostering a character of both gratitude and humility in the kinesiology major. Bartel expressed gratitude for his opportunities and experiences at Westmont and expressed a desire to glorify God with his life.

The final Golden Eagle Award winner to be recognized was senior men’s soccer player TJ McKillop, who was introduced by head coach Dave Wolf. The sociology major was honored for his perseverance in overcoming serious injury experienced as a result of a 200 foot fall while hiking in the Santa Barbara mountains. McKillop explained how excited he was when he was finally able to do a lap around the living room with a walker and later able to walk around the block without the walker. He recalled the thrill with which he later stepped onto a soccer field at Loyola Marymont and exhorted all present to live life with gratitude for all the opportunities that are before them.