The Brandeis University Department of Athletics recognized 12 graduating student athletes for their devotion to and performance in Brandeis athletics on May 2 at its annual end-of-season awards dinner.
Brittany Grimm of Perkiomenville, Pa., a member of the softball team, won an Athletic Director’s Award, which is awarded to student athletes who display excellence while representing Brandeis Athletics. Grimm, a three-time All-UAA selection, ranks third in career hits and fourth in doubles. She participated in two ECAC tournament runners-up and Brandeis’ first-ever NCAA berth in 2010. As a sophomore, Grimm earned All-New England and Academic All-District honors.
Vytas Kriskus of Kvedarna, Lithuania, a member of the men’s basketball team, won an Athletic Director’s Award, which is awarded to student athletes who display excellence while representing Brandeis Athletics. Kriskus finished his career ranking 28th on the career scoring list with 1,029 points and fifth with 156 three-pointers. This past season he was a first-team All-UAA selection and participated in two NCAA tournament berths, including the Elite Eight in his sophomore year and an ECAC title in his junior year.
Fran Shin of Bayside, N.Y., a member of the women’s soccer team, won an Athletic Director’s Award, which is awarded to student athletes who display excellence while representing Brandeis Athletics. Shin was a two-time All-UAA defender and participated in two ECAC tournament squads. She played with the 2010 team, which reached the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Theo Terris of Concord, Mass., a member of the men’s soccer team, won an Athletic Director’s Award, which is awarded to student athletes who display excellence while representing Brandeis Athletics. Terris earned All-UAA honors twice and All-New England accolades as a senior. He participated in two ECAC tournament titles.
Ari Silver of Princeton, N.J., a member of the men’s soccer team, won the James McCully Award, which is awarded to seniors who, according to a press release, “exemplify the character, dedication and good sportsmanship that depicted soccer All-American and inaugural Hall of Famer Jim McCully’s career at Brandeis.” Silver earned three All-UAA honors and was an All-New England selection this past season. He participated in two ECAC Division III New England championships.
Kate Warwick of Boxborough, Mass., a captain of the women’s cross country and track and field team, won the James McCully Award, which is awarded to seniors who, according to a press release, “exemplify the character, dedication and good sportsmanship that depicted soccer All-American and inaugural Hall of Famer Jim McCully’s career at Brandeis.” Warwick finished 48th at the cross country championships in the fall and 12th in the 5,000-meter run during the indoor track season. She won UAA titles in the 3,000-meter race indoors and the 10K outdoors. She qualified twice for the NCAA Division III championships.
Alex Tynan of Barnegat, N.J., a captain of the baseball team, won the Morris Sepinuck Award, which is awarded to the varsity athlete who makes a significant contribution to both athletics and campus life. Tynan served two years on the board of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and served as president in 2011-12. He also participated in Brandeis’ Big Brother/Big Sister program.
Alex Powell of Upper Montclair, N.J., captain of the men’s fencing team, won the Sid Goldfader Award of Valor, which is awarded to an athlete who has overcome adversity through, according to Brandeis Athletics, “strength, grace and determination.” Powell, who suffered twice from punctured lungs, became the team’s top epee fencer for the past two seasons. He qualified for the NCAA National Collegiate Fencing championships as a junior, where he finished 23rd.
Ed Senibaldi of Everett, Mass., a member of the men’s soccer team, won the Morry Stein Award of Valor, which is awarded to a student who demonstrates courage both on and off the field. Senibaldi was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma during his sophomore year and, after undergoing months of treatment and missing the 2010 season, he returned in 2011, playing in five games.
Marianne Specker of South Windsor, Conn., a member of the softball team, won the Charlie Napoli ’58 Scholar-Athlete Award, which is awarded to a student who shows excellence on the field and in the classroom. Specker was a two-time All-UAA honoree; is fourth on Brandeis’ career list in RBI (109) and hits (178) ; and fifth in games played (189). She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Psi Chi psychology honor society, with a 3.9 GPA.
Chris Brown of North Chelmsford, Mass., captain of the men’s cross country and track and field team, won the Harry, Joseph and Ida Stein Award, which is awarded to the outstanding male athlete. Brown earned an All-America honor this past season when he finished third in the nation in the mile run. He earned UAA titles this season in the mile run indoors and the 800- and 1,500-meter races outdoors. Running a 4:05.98 mile, Brown has the ninth-fastest time in Division III history. He was a four-time All-New England runner in cross country and participated in three NCAA championship teams.
Morgan Kendrew of Barnstable, Mass., a captain of the women’s basketball team, won the Max I. Silber Award, which is awarded to the outstanding female athlete. Kendrew finished 10th on Brandeis’ career scoring list with 974 points. She ranks second in career free-throw percentage (81.3 percent) and fourth in accomplished three-pointers (114). She was a three-time All-UAA selection.
