Release: May 1, 2002 Clarksville, Ark.-U of O senior athletes Marcos Gonzalez and Christie Shuffield were named Male and Female Athlete of the Year at the athletic banquet held on April 30.
The Athlete of the Year award is given to a male and female student who excels athletically and academically and has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities. Gonzalez, a 5-10 forward from Georgetown, Texas, holds virtually every career offensive record at Ozarks including most goals (52), most assists (45) and most points (149). Gonzalez also holds the NCAA III record for most assists in a game (8). He led NCAA III this season in assists per game (1.18) and finished fourth in points per game (3.15). This season, Gonzalez led the Eagles to a school-best 18-3-1 record and an American Southwest Conference East Division Championship. Shuffield, a 6-1 center from Dover, Arkansas, ends her career as the fourth leading scorer (1,264) and rebounder (711) at Ozarks. She also holds the U of O record for most blocks in a game (110, most blocks in a season (70) and highest field goal percentage (.551). This season, she led the Lady Eagles to an ASC East Division Co-Championship. She was awarded this year’s Hurie Award which goes to Ozarks top academic student. "Both Marcos and Christie are athletes that every coach dreams of having in their program," said athletic director Jack Jones. "They have excelled in their academic endeavors and athletic pursuits. They are excellent role models for our current and future athletes at Ozarks. They epitomize the term student-athlete."
Topics: Athletics