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READING, Pa. - Late Monday evening coaches, staff, student-athletes, friends and family gathered at the Stokesay Castle for the 2011 Albright Athletics Awards Banquet. Throughout the night student-athletes were honored by their coaches, and teammates for their tremendous efforts throughout the 2010-2011 season.

Headlining the awards ceremony was the announcement of the Abram Karlip Most Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. This year's honor went to swimmer Allie Fies.

Fies also had a standout career at Albright, as a four-year member of the women's swim program. In her rookie season, she helped the women's swim team to their eighth conference championship. Throughout her time in Reading, Fies has garnered a combined eight conference championships. As one of the top free-style swimmers in the conference, Fies led the Lady Lions to three straight top-3 finishes at the conference championship since her rookie year. Fies was a model student as well as she was named the MAC Scholar Athlete of the Year this season.

To start off the awards ceremony the Outstanding Male and Female Freshman of the Year awards were handed out. On the women's side it was announced that tennis player Victoria Foanio, and sprinter Danisha Higgs were named Co-freshmen of the Year, while men's soccer player Gibrilla Conde received the male award.

Foanio, accomplished more in her rookie season, than any other player in the history of the women's tennis program. She first began her collegiate career by becoming the first player in history to advance to the championship round of the Middle Atlantic Conference Individual Tournament. This sensational performance, would be the starting point of one of the best spring seasons ever at Albright. With a perfect 12-0 record in the spring and a combined 14 wins overall, Foanio set the single season record for wins at Albright. Her undefeated conference record was the first since 1999, and helped her to be named the Commonwealth Conference Player and Rookie of the Year.

Higgs, also exploded onto the scene this season for the track and field program. The MAC Indoor Championship Rookie of the Year, Higgs currently holds six program records. To date, Higgs holds indoor records in the 55 meter dash (7.34), the 200 meter dash (25.80), and the 4x200 relay (1:47.99). On the outdoor track, Higgs holds records in the 200 meter dash (25.38), the 4x100 relay (49.85), and the 4x400 relay (4:03.56). She has also won a combined three gold medals and most recently earned an NCAA "B" cut at the outdoor conference championship meet.

Conde's rookie season equaled his female counterparts, as he was named a Commonwealth Conference First Team All-Conference selection and Rookie of the Year. The Shillington, Pa. native also became the first player in program history earn NSCAA All-Region honor as well. Statistically, Conde was amongst the top goal scorers and point earners in the conference, as he tallied eight goals, four assists, for a team-best 20 points in only 14 games played.

Senior Danielle Ozment took home the Neal Harris Academic Excellence Award, presented to the senior female student-athletes with the highest GPA and who earned a minimum of four varsity letters. Ozment, who was a two-year member of the volleyball program, maintained a grade point average of 3.9 and was named the MAC Volleyball Scholar Athlete of the Year. 

Volleyball's Lauren Higgins and men's track and field team member Justin Gewirtz were awarded the Student Athletic Advisory Council Sportsmanship Award. The council presents the award to the senior male and female athlete, who during their athletic career at Albright have exemplified the qualities of outstanding sportsmanship both on and off the field; as well as demonstrated the qualities of civility, concern for others, and a sense of fair play.

The Red and White Club awards were given to seniors Pam Swope and Rob Mancinelli. The award honors a senior female and male student-athlete for a positive attitude and loyalty to Albright Athletics during the year. Swope, was a member of the field hockey program, and also served as a student-assistant in the Albright Athletics Department. Mancinelli was a four-year dual sport athlete playing both football and baseball at Albright.

Women's swimmer Allie Fies received the NCAA Women of the Year Award. This award honors a senior women student-athlete from each NCAA member institution, who has distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate career in the areas of academic excellence, service, and leadership. Fies was one of the most decorated women's swimmers in recent memory, and helped the Lady Lions to their eighth conference title in 2008.

Basketball players Rory Yerkes and Matt Ashcroft collected the Memorial Prize of the Class 1926. The award is given to a senior man and woman, who during their four years at Albright has shown qualities of marked leadership, been of good strong character, and has participated and taken an active interest in athletics.

The Eugene Shirk Awards, presented to the senior students with high scholastic standing and who were members of the cross-country, tennis, track, golf, or swim teams, were presented to women's track and field team member Shannon Loos and men's swimmer Eric Kramer.

The final award of the evening to be presented was the fourth annual Derek Kehoe Memorial Award. Named in honor of the Albright men's basketball player who passed away in October after a battle with cancer, the award is given to the senior athlete who personifies the characteristics of Derek: hard work, toughness, and good citizenship. This year's award was presented to football's Andrew Castano.

Also being presented Monday evening were the 24 Team MVP Awards.

Men's Cross-Country – Bob Kellert
Women's Cross-Country – Kim Hummel
Field Hockey – Caitlin Feldman
Football (Most Outstanding Offensive Back) – Josan Holmes
Football (Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman) – Matt Odenwalt
Football (Most Outstanding Defensive Back) – Michael Rice
Football (Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman) – Don Gould
Men's Soccer - Mark Yost
Women's Soccer – Mel Sullivan
Women's Tennis – Victoria Foanio
Men's Tennis – Jason Lefkoe
Volleyball - Danielle Ozment
Men's Basketball – Matt Ashcroft
Women's Basketball - Jessica McGinness
Men's Swimming – Eric Kramer
Women's Swimming – Allie Fies
Women's Indoor Track and Field – Danisha Higgs
Men's Indoor Track and Field – Justin Gewirtz
Men's Outdoor Track and Field – Dane Canonico
Women's Outdoor Track and Field – Danisha Higgs
Baseball – Justin Danser
Men's Golf - Erik Thorn
Women's Golf – Kaitlin Mack
Softball - Jaime Weckesser