Spring Break
Presenting the 2008-09 DREXPY Awards
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 5/22/09 Section: Sports
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However, unlike Scrubs, you can guarantee that there is going to be another season next year.
Nevertheless, it's time to reflect on what occurred over the past nine months and delve out the accolades.
I guess you could call this the 2008-09 DREXPY Awards (Drexel + ESPY … or something). I decided to skip the nominees and just say the winners. I would've made this longer, but unfortunately Bruiser Flint couldn't oblige, host the event or give his input. Without further ado, here are the winners … and the DREXPY goes to …
Male Athlete of the Year: Jon Oplinger
Oplinger's performance on the wrestling mat this season in his final year of eligibility was nothing short of extraordinary. The unseeded 197-pounder reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships in St. Louis, Mo., narrowly missing out on achieving All-American status. His run was highlighted by a stunning upset over fifth-ranked Dallas Herbst of Wisconsin. Oplinger finished with a 33-7 overall record and was 5-2 in the CAA. He leaves the program with 109 victories, good enough for fourth on the all-time list. Head Coach Jack Childs always spoke very highly of his senior. "Jon was truly a perfect student-athlete and a great role model for the team," Childs said after Oplinger was eliminated and his career came to an end. There is no question that Oplinger's loss will be a significant hit for the wrestling team as it moves forward.
Female Athlete(s) of the Year: Gabriela Marginean/Kate Hynes
Marginean and Hynes each set the bar in their respective sports, which made it impossible to choose between the two. Therefore, although ties happen very rarely - it is only fitting that these two women share this honor.
Marginean brought the women's basketball team to prominence, leading the Dragons to their first-ever CAA Championship and an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament. The junior forward finished third in the nation, scoring 23.3 ppg and setting Drexel's single-season record for points scored with 769. She swept the conference's Player of the Year category, taking home preseason, regular season and postseason honors. I honestly can't fathom that Marginean has a year left. When her career is all said and done - after she has broken every conceivable record in the books - we will mention her in the same breath as Malik Rose. And one day, when her WNBA team has an off day, we will raise her No. 44 to the rafters and reminisce about how she changed the perception of Drexel women's basketball forever.
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