The Nominees Are: Jackson Award
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
On Monday, May 11, the UO athletic department will host its O Show award night in Matthew Knight Arena, hosted by ESPN’s Neil Everett.
The awards to be handed out have long been considered distinguished accolades within the department, and this year the nominees and winners will be acknowledged on a more public stage. Nominations were made by UO student-athletes, and winners were selected by the student-athletes and athletic department staff.
The Jackson Athletic Trophy is awarded annually each spring to the outstanding graduating senior female athlete. The recipient is selected by her peers from each of the university women’s intercollegiate sports based on outstanding athletic ability, scholastic achievement, leadership ability, and inspiration to other athletes. The recipient is awarded with a miniature scale version of the trophy.
And the nominees are …
Liz Brenner, volleyball/sand volleyball/track and field
Helped the volleyball team reach the third round of the NCAA Tournament in the fall, finishing second on the team in kills and digs. Transitioned to sand volleyball early this spring, then picked up the javelin, in which she’s looking to become an all-American for the second time in three years. Participated in the very first O Heroes event this year, the ASL Field day for deaf kids in the state of Oregon. Followed that up by helping her team raise money for the Thanksgiving basket drive. Brenner sports a 2.86 GPA in psychology.
Lauren Crockett, track and field
Leads the Ducks with a mark of 5 feet, 10 inches this spring, and is looking to improve on that Friday night in the Oregon Twilight before heading into the postseason. Took fifth at the NCAA Indoor championship meet, scoring points for Oregon’s second-place women’s team. Compiled a 3.51 GPA in journalism.
Amanda Delgado, basketball
Provided a three-point threat as an 18-game starter, making 37 percent of her attempts from long range. Off the court, took charge in the Thanksgiving basket collection as the basketball team’s SAAC representative. Picked right back up with her community service following the season – in the last two months of the academic year she attended the Shasta Middle School event, “Are You Smarter Than a Fourth Grader?” and followed that by working with Warsaw Sports Business Club at their annual KidSports Invitational basketball tournament. In the classroom, Delgado has a 3.2 GPA in digital arts.
Tara Lubert, acrobatics & tumbling
Won three individual national titles – giving her 12 for her career – and helped the Ducks finish second as a team. For O Heroes, she started the year off by taking the lead for her team in the Thanksgiving basket collection. Prior to the winter break, she and a few teammates stuck around Eugene to take part in the Santa Duck Breakfast at the Duck Store, spending time with and reading books to community kids. Compiled a 2.71 GPA in psychology.
Janie Takeda, softball
Enters the final series of the regular-season having set UO career records for hits, runs and stolen bases, and is looking to get the Ducks to the Women’s College World Series for the third time in her four years. Away from the diamond, started her senior year of community service at Mt. Pisgah, restoring the mountain by planting trees, then delivered local families food as part of the Thanksgiving basket drive. She was a key contributor to raising money for the UNICEF campus group’s drive for “Chemo Ducks,” and participated in National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The journalism major has a 3.17 GPA.
Check back later this week for previews of more O Show award nominees.
