Award nominees announced for Crimson Climb, Jayhawker and Del Shankel Awards
LAWRENCE, Kan.—The Rock Chalk Choice Awards committee announced the nominees for the Crimson Climb Award, Jayhawker Award and Del Shankel Award on Thursday. This is the second set of award nominees that have been released for the event that is set for September 8 at the Lied Center in Lawrence.
The Crimson Climb Award is given to the student-athlete that has served as an inspiration to others by overcoming challenges and exceeding academic expectations. The award will be presented by current Jayhawks Carley Straight (swimming & diving) and Chris Hughes (football).
This year’s nominees for the Crimson Climb Award are:
- Gleb Dudarev (men’s track & field)
- Brittany Franklin (women’s basketball)
- Mike Lee (football)
- Addisyn Merrick (soccer)
The Jayhawker Award is presented to an athlete that has exhibited a commitment to Kansas principles and demonstrated mental toughness in the face of adversity and competition while making a positive contribution to Kansas Athletics. Presenting the award will be current Kansas athletes Hakeem Adeniji (football) and Niki Ramalho (women’s basketball).
This year’s nominees for the Jayhawker Award are:
- Marleena Eubanks (women’s track & field)
- Brittany Jackson (softball)
- Patricia Montero-Nieves (volleyball)
- Silvio De Sousa (men’s basketball)
- Ryan Schadler (football)
For his entire tenure, Dr. Del Shankel epitomized what it meant to be a Jayhawk. The Del Shankel Teaching Excellence Award was established by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee in 1996 to allow student-athletes the opportunity to honor an outstanding member of the faculty at the University of Kansas. The award will be presented by current Kansas baseball catcher Brooks Asher and track and field athlete Chloe Akin-Otiko.
This year’s nominees for the Del Shankel Award are:
- Susan Michelle Stagg-Williams
- William Lewis
- Jordan Bass
- Justin Blumenstiel
- Mary Fry
The winners for these along with the awards for the True Blue, Best Jayhawk in a Supporting Role and Male and Female Athlete of the Year will be announced at the red-carpet event on September 8. Special student-athlete academic achievements and All-Americans will also be recognized throughout the ceremony.
The nominees for Male and Female Athlete of the Year are set to be released by the committee on September 5 to round out the 2019 Rock Chalk Choice Awards nominees.
Due to space limitations, the event is by invitation only and limited to athletic department staff, student-athletes, and selected KU faculty and dignitaries.
2019 Rock Chalk Choice Awards Nominees
True Blue Award
- Hakeem Adeniji (football)
- Riley Cooney (women’s track & field)
- Nina Khmelnitckaia (tennis)
- Jenny Nusbaum (swimming & diving)
- Darius Releford (men’s track & field)
Best Jayhawk in a Supporting Role
- Emily Bermel (softball)
- Haley Downey (swimming & diving)
- Rudy Karre (baseball)
- Grace Hagan (soccer)
- Nina Khmelnitckaia (tennis)
Rock Chalk Moment of the Year
- Women’s Soccer’s double overtime win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
- Swimming and Diving’s Big 12 Championship performance
- Tennis’ Big 12 Tournament Championship
- Track & Field’s Bryce Hoppel winning the 800m Outdoor National Championship
Crimson Climb Award
- Gleb Dudarev (men’s track & field)
- Brittany Franklin (women’s basketball)
- Mike Lee (football)
- Addisyn Merrick (soccer)
Jayhawker Award
- Marleena Eubanks (women’s track & field)
- Brittany Jackson (softball)
- Patricia Montero-Nieves (volleyball)
- Silvio DeSousa (men’s basketball)
- Ryan Schadler (football)
Del Shankel Award
- Susan Michelle Stagg-Williams
- William Lewis
- Jordan Bass
- Justin Blumenstiel
- Mary Fry
Female Athlete of the Year
- Announced September 5
Male Athlete of the Year
- Announced September 5
