Feb. 5, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Men's soccer player Conrad Taylor and women's swimmer Molly Crispell have been selected as the 2008 recipients of the Ernest B. McCoy Memorial Award. The McCoy Award is presented annually to one senior male and female student-athlete who have combined successful athletic participation with academic excellence.
Conrad Taylor ended his Nittany Lion career with his standing as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Penn State history firmly established. For the past four years, the Colorado Springs, Colo. native was the anchor of the PSU defense and its iron man between the pipes. A two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, Taylor started every game of his collegiate career, a streak of 83 consecutive contests. He did not miss a minute of playing time since earning a spot in the starting line-up in the first game of his freshman year, a remarkable total of over 7,976 minutes. A team captain in 2006 and 2007, Taylor ranks third on Penn State's career shutouts list (23), sixth in career goalkeeping (1.08 goals against average, and owns a share of the program record for shutouts in a season with 10, set in 2005. Also an accomplished student, he was honored on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team for three straight years. Graduating in December with a 3.90 GPA in kinesiology, Taylor is currently attending chiropractic school.
"I am delighted for Conrad that he has been selected as the McCoy Award recipient," said head men's soccer coach Barry Gorman. "In my opinion, it is just recognition for a truly talented student-athlete who has represented Penn State University with class, dignity and humility throughout his collegiate career."
Molly Crispell |
A relay specialist, Molly Crispell is a two-time NCAA qualifier and has scored at the Big Ten Championships in each of her first three years at Penn State. From nearby Boalsburg, Pa., she is a two-time honorable mention All-American in the 800 freestyle relay (2006-07) and was a Second Team All-Big Ten honoree in 2006. Crispell is in the midst of standout 2008 season, playing key roles on relay teams (800 free and 400 medley) that have swam NCAA 'B' times. Equally gifted in the classroom as the pool, Crispell boasts a perfect 4.0 grade point average in bio-behavioral health. She earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2006 and 2007 and was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team and Academic All-American Second Team in 2007.
"Molly is the 15th McCoy Award winner from swimming and diving since the award began in 1971," said head swimming coach Bill Dorenkott. "I have had the good fortune of working with the last 7 award winners as head coach. Molly represents all that is good in collegiate athletics as well as what it means to be a student-athlete at Penn State. She is a committed teammate and passionate leader within our program. The power of quality role models within our women's team can be traced through our McCoy winners. Molly has made a difference in our program and university by leaving a legacy in her pursuit of excellence in both the classroom and the pool."
The McCoy Award is presented annually at the President's Student Awards Recognition Ceremony. This year's event will be held on April 6, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.
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