Spring Break
Oplinger, Hynes both Semanik Award winners
Issue date: 5/22/09 Section: Sports
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The Mary and John Semanik awards are awarded every year in honor of the Semaniks' work as Drexel's Directors of Athletics. The award is given to student-athletes who maintain a great scholastic standing in addition to individual success through athletics.
For Hynes, receiving awards has not been rare throughout her career as a Drexel diver. Hynes has never lost a dual-meet during her four years on the diving board.
Earlier this month, Hynes was honored with The Philadelphia Inquirer Swimming and Diving Academic Performer of the Year award for the second straight season.
Hynes was also dominant within the Colonial Athletic conference. She was named the CAA's Most Outstanding Diver for the fourth time in her career - a span that also included 23 CAA Diver of the Week awards - this past season. To top it all off, Hynes was named an Honorable Mention All-American for the second time in her career as well.
Hynes is proud of her athletic accomplishments, but this award allowed her to be recognized for her work in the classroom as well.
"The award was so exciting to me because I tried to put as much effort into my education as I did into diving," Hynes said. "Being recognized for my ability to balance both aspects of my life was truly an honor."
Not to be outdone, Jon Oplinger wrestled his way to a phenomenal season on and off the mat. His 109 career wins place him fourth on Drexel's all-time list.
This season, Oplinger made an incredible underdog run at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Mo. He was able to take down two higher-ranked opponents during the Championships, including the No. 5 nationally ranked wrestler, Dallas Herbst.
The 197-pounder just missed All-American status by losing in the quarterfinals while hampered with a knee injury.
When asked about receiving the award, Oplinger immediately thought of others involved in his success.
"I just wanted to give thanks to my coaches, first," Oplinger said. "They really pushed me, and without them I wouldn't have been as successful."
Coach Jack Childs, who won his 400th career match this year, was a great mentor to Oplinger.
"Someone is going to replace Jon's spot on the roster, but no one will ever replace what Jon has meant to this team," Childs said after his senior's career came to an end in the quarterfinals.
And the senior likewise appreciated his coach's efforts, showing him with praise.
"Coach Childs is great," Oplinger said. "He always made me stick with it and kept my head in the right place," Oplinger said. "Between him and Coach [Eric] Ring, I had great training."
Both of these student athletes have been able to put up outstanding numbers during their Drexel careers, but the Mary and John Semanik award was awarded for their academic excellence as well. When looking back in a few years, both Oplinger and Hynes will go down among the best Drexel athletes in their respective sports.
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