Russo, Henry shine in post-season
Campus Times
December 12, 1997
Senior linebacker Anthony Russo and sophomore outside hitter Sarah
Henry have been selected by the Campus Times as "Athletes of the Fall".
Russo was the recipient of the John Zinda award and was co-defensive player
of the year. Henry was a first team All-SCIAC selection as well as All-West
Region for Division III.
The Campus Times sports staff has selected senior football player
Anthony Russo and sophomore volleyball player Sarah Henry as outstanding
athletes for the fall 1997 semester for their achievements.
Russo was just recently awarded the John Zinda award and co-defensive
player of the year (along with senior defensive linemen, Tawan Hall from
Whittier College) for the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
(SCIAC).
This is the second year for the John Zinda award, which is an award
named after the former head football coach from Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
The criteria for the award are a high level of performance, strong leadership,
integrity and sportsmanship, a positive attitude and being a conscientious
student.
"The John Zinda award goes to the most outstanding player in the
conference who also possesses characteristics such as, work ethic, competitiveness,
good sportsmanship and good academics," said Don Morel, head football
coach. "It is a tough award to receive and is the highest honor that
the conference has to give."
The 6'1", 215-pound linebacker has led the team in tackles for
two years, with 68 this season, and gives all the credit to his teammates.
"I wouldn't have done as good as I did if it was not for the entire
[defensive] line," said Russo. "I'm happy and proud but I wish
we could have gone undefeated as a team."
"Anthony is a tremendous leader and student, he will be very hard
to replace," said Morel.
Russo received both awards because, "all the coaches in the conference
felt Anthony was by far the best linebacker they have seen in SCIAC,"
said Morel.
Henry was awarded first team All-SCIAC for the season because she led
the conference in kills with 314 and had 87 blocks during the regular season
for the Leopards.
Henry's latest accomplishment was being awarded All-West Region along
with teammate Mercury Simonian, the teams senior setter.
"I wasn't expecting it at all," said Henry. "I couldn't
have done it without Mercury's help."
"I think Sarah had a great year," said head coach Jim Paschal.
"She matured a great deal as a player when I asked her to move
from right side hitter to middle blocker. She was reluctant, but she agreed
to it because it was the best for the team," he said. "It was
one of the moves that made us a more competitive team this year. I think
she is the best middle blocker in the conference.""
