In the spirit of giving and recognition, the Vanguard sports section put on their collective thinking cap and, after much debate, gaves the 2008 Vanguard Sports Awards.
Best Male Athlete
And the winner is … Jeremiah Dominguez
Honored as the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year, Dominguez seemed to find a perfect home in the South Park Blocks after transferring from the University of Portland.
Besides guiding the basketball team to the NCAA Tournament, the lightning-quick point guard has also steadily improved his academic performance over the past year.
Best Female Athlete
And the winner is … Claire Faucher
Faucher, who plays with great confidence, led the entire nation in assists and is a key component in the rebuilding of the women’s basketball program.
Her ability to score the ball, dish for assists and pressure opposing guards ensure her place among the best athletes ever at Portland State.
Best Head Coach
And the winner is … Ken Bone
Although Bone almost snuck out of the Rose City after leading the men’s basketball squad to their first trip to March Madness, the fact of the matter is the coach returned, and has a talented and exciting team.
His ability to schedule premier opponents, recruit high-caliber players and make in-game adjustments make him the best coach at Portland State and one of the best on the West Coast.
Most Passionate Athlete
And the winner is … Kelsey Kahle
Whether it’s diving for loose balls, battling opponents much taller and heavier than her or leading a young Portland State women’s basketball squad, Kahle fits the definition of playing with passion.
At one game last season, after hearing an opposing fan heckle her after committing a hard foul, Kahle turned to the man and politely told him to shut his mouth. Gotta love that.
Team of the Year
And the winner is … men’s basketball
While there were several teams that earned conference championships, it was men’s basketball that captured the hearts of the city with their victory over Northern Arizona in the Big Sky Tournament’s championship at the Rose Garden.
Despite the subsequent loss to eventual national champion Kansas, the Vikings announced their arrival into the national basketball scene and were anointed as the best college basketball team in the entire state of Oregon.
Flashiest Athlete
And the winner is … Reggie Jones
He held down one of the cornerback positions for the football team all season, but he always looked good doing it with custom towels embroidered with his initials often tucked into his pants.
Usually seen riding his Razr scooter around campus, Jones is notorious for his flair on the field. Fans may wonder how he fits all of that hair inside of his helmet.
Best Interview
And the winner is … a tie, Jerry Glanville and Mouse Davis
Whether it’s Glanville with his thousands of distracting and often off-topic anecdotes, or Davis with his candid approach and tradition of calling everybody “young fella,” these two football coaches make it tough to get to the point but offer a hilarious journey along the way.
Best Moment
And the winner is … men’s basketball earns NCAA Tournament berth in the Rose Garden
If you were among the several hundred that stormed the floor to celebrate with the squad, it was likely an experience that you will never forget.
Plus, it’s not every day that you get to see the Vikings on ESPN.
Best New Viking
And the winner is … Jamie Jones
While Phil Nelson garnered all the media attention, it has been junior forward Jamie Jones who has made the biggest impact on the men’s basketball team this season.
Jones, a talented offensive player with a soft touch and great hands, is a far better offensive threat in the post than the Vikings have had in recent years and his potency only frees up space for shooters such as Nelson and Jeremiah Dominguez
Most Likely to Go Pro
And the winner is … Andy Schantz
Schantz guided the entire football team to an improved finish and helped inspire an often-outmanned defense all year long.
One of the most passionate athletes to play at PGE Park in some time, Schantz is another in a line of successful Portland State linebackers that have made it to the NFL. His versatility, work ethic and attitude will land him a spot on an NFL roster.
Best Individual Performance
And the winner is … Claire Faucher
Saving her finest performance for the latter portion of the season, Faucher recorded a triple-double in two of the final games of the season, each of which were must-wins for the women’s basketball team.