Wheaton honors students at annual athletics awards ceremony

NORTON, MA - The Wheaton College Athletic Department held its annual Awards Ceremony at Emerson Dining Hall on the Norton campus. Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the five year-end awards. Seniors Scott Mahan (Bridgewater, MA/Cardinal Spellman), Tracy Prihoda (Needham, MA/Needham), Amber James (Woodbury, MN/Woodbury) and Kim Spence (Barrington, NH/Dover) along with sophomore James Greenslit (Framingham, MA/Rivers School) were the award recipients.

Winners of the Senior Athletic Awards went to Mahan and Prihoda. This award is presented to a male and female member of the graduating class who has made a significant contribution to the success of the Wheaton Athletic Program, including participation of intercollegiate athletics or intramural programs, proven leadership ability and commitment and relevant committee work. (Pictured, left to right: Prihoda, James, Spence, Greenslit and Mahan)

In only two years with the men's basketball program, Mahan accomplished more in two seasons than what most players achieve during a four-year playing career. Playing in the New England Basketball Coaches Association (NEBCA) All-Star game and named to the NEWMAC All-Conference first team for two straight seasons, Mahan was just 27 points away from becoming Wheaton's first player to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 blocks in a career. In his senior season alone, he ranked in the top two among Wheaton's all-time players with 135 free throws made, 258 rebounds and 47 blocks. For his career, Mahan ranks second on the school charts in field goal percentage at .540, third with 105 blocked shots, fifth with 264 free throws made and sixth with 524 rebounds.

Prihoda, a two-year captain and four-year member with the women's soccer team, holds Wheaton's career and single-season scoring records in every offensive category. She became only the 12th Division III women's soccer player to surpass the 100-goal milestone. Totaling 28 goals, 14 assists, 70 points and seven game-winning goals this season, Prihoda finished her career with an amazing 102 goals, 52 assists, 256 points and 27 game-winning goals. Her 256 points places her sixth on the all-time scoring list in Division III history. Prihoda is a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas All-America athlete, two-time New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Player of the Year and three-time NEWMAC All-Conference choice.

Greenslit was named Wheaton's Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year. A sophomore center back on the men's soccer team and starting guard on the men's basketball team, Greenslit anchored Wheaton's defense in soccer while also managing to score three game-winning goals this season. He was named to the NSCAA/adidas All-America third team, NSCAA/adidas All-New England first team and NEWMAC All-Conference first team. After leading his soccer team to the Final Four, Greenslit joined the men's basketball program and ended up playing in the remaining 26 games, including starting in seven of Wheaton's final eight contests. Highlighting the winter season was a career-best 16 points against Coast Guard. He was also always assigned to defend the opposing team's leading scoring guard.

James was the recipient of the Debi Field Athletic Award for the second consecutive year, an honor that is given to the Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. James has not only made a significant impact at Wheaton, but at the regional and national level as well. An astounding 15-time national champion and 20-time All-America performer in just three plus years, James is the only Division III athlete to have won four straight 400-meter dash events at the national indoor championship. A three-time defending national champion in the outdoor 400-meter dash and two-time defending national champion in the 200-meter dash, James will look to lead her team to a fourth straight outdoor national title. At this year's indoor meet, James earned All-America performances in the 55M and 4x400M relay.

Spence garnered the Claudia Friese Special Recognition Award, which recognizes the less visible, behind-the-scenes dedication to the athletic program exhibited by any member of the Wheaton Community. A two-year track captain, four-year member of the indoor and outdoor track and field programs and one-year member of the cross country squad, Spence spearheaded all of the team's fundraising efforts. Earning All-America honors for track, Spence is a member of the NEWMAC All-Academic team in addition to being a Wheaton Scholar-Athlete and vice president of her senior class.