NIELSEN WINS TEWAARATON AWARD

 

By Mike Buchanan
mbuchanan@digitalsports.com

 

The Tewaaraton Trophy will remain in Evanston as junior midfielder Hannan Nielsen (Adelaide, Australia/Brighton Secondary) was honored as the top female collegiate lacrosse player in the nation on Thursday night, at the Tewaaraton banquet in Washington, D.C.

Nielsen helped lead Northwestern University to a fourth straight national championship.  She is the second Wildcat to win the sport's most prestigious award, following former teammate Kristen Kjellman, who took home the trophy in 2006 and 2007. Nielsen was a finalist lat season.

"Hannah really was such an incredible leader for the program this year," said Head Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller. "No matter what the situation, she stepped up and made a difference for the team. It's so exciting for Northwestern lacrosse to have this award won by a team member three consecutive years."

Nielsen was the quarterback of the Wildcat offense, and led the team in points for the second-straight year with 114, becoming the first player in the program's history to put together back-to-back 100-point seasons.  During this year's NCAA tournament, Nielsen notched 12 goals and 10 assists, including the final two in the title win over Penn.

The five finalists included:
Christy Finch  (Northwestern)
Dana Dobbie  (Maryland)
Hannah Nielsen  (Northwestern)
Katie Rowan  (Syracuse)
Kelly Kasper (Maryland)

According to the official Tewaaraton website:

“The Tewaaraton Award Foundation, in conjunction with The University Club of Washington, DC, formally established the "Tewaaraton Trophy" on August 29, 2000. Today, the Tewaaraton Trophy is recognized as the pre-eminent lacrosse award honoring the top female and male varsity collegiate lacrosse player in the United States. Simply, it is the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. With the inaugural presentation taking place at the University Club of Washington, DC in June of 2001, the Tewaaraton Trophy is now presented annually following the collegiate season at a banquet honoring the finalists and winners.

Lacrosse is one of the oldest team sports played in North America. Rooted in centuries of Native American tradition, the game took on many variations before reaching its present day form. The Foundation honors this truly original American heritage of the sport in the name of its trophy: "Tewaaraton," the Mohawk name for their game and the progenitor of present day lacrosse. The Tewaaraton Trophy has received the endorsement of the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders.”

Previous Award Winners:

2007  Kristen Kjellman  Northwestern University

2006  Kristen Kjellman  Northwestern University

2005  Katie Chrest  Duke University

2004  Amy Appelt  University of Virginia

2003  Rachael Becker  Princeton University

2002  Erin Elbe  Georgetown University

2001  Jen Adams  University of Maryland

“The Tewaaraton Award Foundation annually names a Men's and Women's Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan Regional "High School All-Tewaaraton Team."  The top regional player in each position will be nominated to the Team by a selection committee of regional coaches.  Prior to the season, a watch list of about 50 men and 50 women is announced.  Then, in May, a team of 12 men and 12 women is invited to attend the Tewaaraton Banquet and is presented with a plaque,” according to Liz Terry, Director of the foundation.

The Tewaaraton Award Foundation announces the 2008 Toyota Girl’s Regional High School All-Tewaaraton Award Recipients. The 12 female winners were chosen from schools in the Baltimore-Washington Metro Area.

Of the 12 honorees, three players are repeat selections: Allyson Carey (John Carroll), Karri Ellen Johnson (Broadneck) and Josie Owen (Severn) were all named in 2007 as well.

2008 Toyota Girl's High School All Tewaaraton Team

Casey Ancarrow	John Carroll
Kristy Black	Glenelg High School
Allyson Carey	John Carroll
Bailey Fogarty	Holton Arms
Julie Gardner	Severna Park
Kirsten Goldberg