FOREST, Va. — The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) recently announced the Fall 2012 ODAC/StellarOne Sportsmanship Teams, which included six Guilford College student-athletes. A total of 75 students from across the league were honored for their character and sportsmanship in the heat of competition. This marks the fourth year the conference has recognized student-athletes for their excellence in sportsmanship.
The following six Guilford students were honored:
· Men’s Cross Country – Andris Goncarovs (Jr., Ithaca, N.Y./Lambert Alternative Community School (SUNY Buffalo)) – Goncarovs had Guilford’s top time in six of seven meets this season and placed 107th at the 2012 NCAA Division III Championships.
· Women’s Cross Country – Jasmine O’Neill (So., Winston-Salem, N.C./Parkland) – O’Neill had Guilford’s fastest time in all six meets this season and placed 90th at the NCAA Division III South/Southeast Regional Championships.
· Football – Faris El-Ali (Jr., Charlotte, N.C./Ardery Kell) – An offensive lineman, El-Ali captained the Quakers to a 5-5 overall record (4-3 ODAC), the team’s best since 2007. He was a Third-Team All-ODAC honoree for the second straight season.
· Men’s Soccer – Jared Dapkevich (Sr., Cary, N.C./Green Hope) – A defender, Dapkevich captained the Quakers to a 10-8 overall record (7-4 ODAC). The three-year starter has twice been named to the Academic All-ODAC Team.
· Women’s Soccer – Becca Valchar (Fr., Laurel, Md./St. John’s College H.S.) – A defender, Valchar appeared in all 19 games with 13 starts for the 4-15 Quakers (3-9 ODAC).
· Volleyball – Meredith Foscue (Jr., Asheboro, N.C./Asheboro) – A defensive specialist, Foscue captained the Quakers to a 9-18 record (3-8 ODAC). She ranked second on the team in assists and third in digs.
“I am pleased that the conference recognizes student-athletes for their focus on fair play and sportsmanship,” explained ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. “The conference prides itself on positive sportsmanship and encouraging student-athletes to lead by example. Each one of the honorees has been selected by the coaches in recognition of their conduct in the arena. My hat is off to these student-athletes – thanking them for the example they set for all of us.”
The ODAC has a rich tradition in promoting fair play and good sportsmanship in each sport across the league. The character of the conference’s student-athletes on and off the field represents not only the individuals and teams, but also the institutions for which they play.
“All of us at StellarOne Bank are excited to be an official corporate sponsor, touching the lives of so many in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference,” said Angela Ross, Chief Branding Officer for StellarOne.