The Triangle

Issue date: 5/8/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Karl Kuchs

Gabriela Marginean and Kate Hynes were named by The Philadelphia Inquirer as 2008-09 Academic All-Area Performers of the Year. This is Hynes' third time winning this award and Marginean's second time.

The Inquirer chooses an All-Academic team for each sport, and only one member of each team is selected to obtain the top-performer honors. This prestigious award recognizes the well-rounded athletes who maintain an excellent grade point average, while balancing the commitment of a varsity sport.

Both of these athletes were more than qualified.

Marginean had a historical season in the Dragons' frontcourt. The 6-foot-1 junior averaged 23.3 ppg on the season, which kept her in the top five for scoring in the country. She also led the team in rebounds and field goal percentage during the regular season, but Marginean's on-court accomplishments were far from complete.

The Colonial Athletic Association Tournament allowed for a dazzling display from the Romanian native. She was crowned as the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player as she led her teammates to the school's first ever CAA championship.

Marginean had an unbelievable season on the court, but her role as a student made her the winning candidate for the Academic All-Area Performer award.

"It is a great honor to be given such an award," Marginean said. "It shows how we [players] can manage both schoolwork and basketball."

With help from her coaches and advisors, Marginean was able to maintain a 3.09 GPA throughout the basketball season.

"Coach Dillon and Rebecca [Weidensaul], our advisor, helped keep us up on our studies," Marginean said. "They understand we are students first."

While Marginean shredded through the competition on the court, Hynes was able to tear through her completion without a blemish on her record. The senior diver went her entire four-year career at Drexel without a loss in a dual meet.

Her tremendous consistency on the diving board allowed her to gain four straight CAA Most Outstanding Diver Awards. On the national stage, Hynes was able to achieve Honorable Mention All-American status for the last two years. She talked about balancing two major commitments at one time.

"I like to have a busy schedule because it keeps me from procrastinating," Hynes said with a laugh. "The more things I have to do, the better."

Hynes's high scores were not bound to the pool, considering she was able to carry a cumulative GPA of 3.79 throughout her stay at Drexel.

"Being recognized for my academic achievements is on the same level for me as any of the athletic awards I have received," Hynes said.

Both student-athletes have shown an unbelievable amount of commitment to their studies and to helping their teams succeed in competition. These women have truly represented what Drexel is all about.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools