Svekis Earns Pac-12's Hansen Medal
06/26/18 | Softball
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon softball's Gwen Svekis has been named one of the Ducks' two Tom Hansen Conference Medal winners, the Pac-12 announced on Tuesday. Baseball's Kyle Kasser was presented with the men's medal.
The Tom Hansen Medal is awarded annually to the top male and female seniors at each university in the conference. The award is based on achievement in scholarship, athletics and leadership.
Svekis was named a first team NFCA All-American this season, in addition to earning NFCA National Catcher of the Year honors. Svekis was also a first team all-Pac-12 pick and a first team all-Pacific Region selection.
The senior helped the Ducks win a Pac-12 championship for the fifth time in six years. Svekis was part of three league title teams (2015, 2016, 2018) in her time in Eugene.
The Davie, Fla., native was an honorable mention Pac-12 all-academic selection. Svekis graduated early this year, completing her degree in social sciences with a media studies minor.
Svekis made a big impact off the field as part of the 2018 UO St. Baldrick's event. Svekis raised over $3,000 as the softball team combined to bring in over $11,000. The charity helps raise funds for childhood cancer research. Fundraisers either shave their heads in solidarity with those going through chemotherapy or cut off enough of their hair to donate it for a wig. Svekis chopped off her long ponytail at the event.
Overall this season, Svekis hit .324 in 63 games with a career-high 17 home runs. She was second in the Pac-12 with 60 RBIs. Svekis slashed .324/.421/.659 in 2018.
Svekis started her senior season with a bang, belting five home runs over six games at the Kajikawa Classic. The catcher shined in back-to-back series against No. 9 Arizona and No. 7 Arizona State, accumulating four home runs, six RBIs and six runs scored over six games. She finished the season with 17 home runs, good for third in the Pac-12 and the most on the UO roster. Svekis' 45 career home runs are the third most in program history.
Svekis was taken No. 3 overall in the National Pro Fastpitch draft and is now playing for the Chicago Bandits.
Winners of the conference medal have been selected every year since the 1960-61 academic year. In 2009, the Pac-12 renamed the award the Tom Hansen Conference Medal in honor of the former league commissioner, who retired in 2009 after spending 26 years with the conference.
The Tom Hansen Medal is awarded annually to the top male and female seniors at each university in the conference. The award is based on achievement in scholarship, athletics and leadership.
Svekis was named a first team NFCA All-American this season, in addition to earning NFCA National Catcher of the Year honors. Svekis was also a first team all-Pac-12 pick and a first team all-Pacific Region selection.
The senior helped the Ducks win a Pac-12 championship for the fifth time in six years. Svekis was part of three league title teams (2015, 2016, 2018) in her time in Eugene.
The Davie, Fla., native was an honorable mention Pac-12 all-academic selection. Svekis graduated early this year, completing her degree in social sciences with a media studies minor.
Svekis made a big impact off the field as part of the 2018 UO St. Baldrick's event. Svekis raised over $3,000 as the softball team combined to bring in over $11,000. The charity helps raise funds for childhood cancer research. Fundraisers either shave their heads in solidarity with those going through chemotherapy or cut off enough of their hair to donate it for a wig. Svekis chopped off her long ponytail at the event.
Overall this season, Svekis hit .324 in 63 games with a career-high 17 home runs. She was second in the Pac-12 with 60 RBIs. Svekis slashed .324/.421/.659 in 2018.
Svekis started her senior season with a bang, belting five home runs over six games at the Kajikawa Classic. The catcher shined in back-to-back series against No. 9 Arizona and No. 7 Arizona State, accumulating four home runs, six RBIs and six runs scored over six games. She finished the season with 17 home runs, good for third in the Pac-12 and the most on the UO roster. Svekis' 45 career home runs are the third most in program history.
Svekis was taken No. 3 overall in the National Pro Fastpitch draft and is now playing for the Chicago Bandits.
Winners of the conference medal have been selected every year since the 1960-61 academic year. In 2009, the Pac-12 renamed the award the Tom Hansen Conference Medal in honor of the former league commissioner, who retired in 2009 after spending 26 years with the conference.
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