The Central Connecticut Department of Athletics announced its annual Senior Awards on Wednesday with a virtual recognition presented by the Connecticut Depart of Transportation. The department honored seniors Jenna Rae Covello (women’s soccer) and Kaitlin Paterson (softball) with the prestigious Gail Rutz Award, which is presented annually to the top female athlete(s). On the men’s side, senior Richard Grudzwick (track & field/cross country) was honored with the Frederick M. Gladstone Award, which is presented to the top male athlete of the senior class. The awards were presented virtually because of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.
The Blue Devils capped another successful season, winning three Northeast Conference team championships (women’s soccer, women’s cross country, baseball). Since 2014-15, CCSU has won an NEC-high 26 team championships.
SENIOR AWARDS PRESENTATION
Along with the Gladstone and Rutz awards, seniors Angie Rafter (women’s track & field/cross country) and Aidan Rosa (football) were honored with the Pepsi Awards for having the highest grade point averages among female and male senior student-athletes, respectively. Sophomore Bryce Hampton of the men’s track and field/cross country program was honored as the Most-Improved Student-Athlete and the volleyball team was recognized for having the highest team GPA among CCSU’s 16 Division I sports.
In addition, all senior student-athletes from the sports teams, the dance and cheerleading squads, and athletic training program were recognized for graduating and for their commitment to Blue Devil Athletics.
Also, 245 CCSU students from the programs received the Academic Award for having a GPA above 3.20 over the last two semesters.
Additionally, 112 were also recognized with a place on the Athletic Directors All-Academic Team. The student-athletes on the team have a cumulative GPA above 3.50 for their collegiate careers.