Five Female, Four Male Finalists Named for SAC Presidents Award

ROCK HILL, S.C. – A total of nine student-athletes have been put forward as finalists for the 2012-13 SAC Presidents Award – the most prestigious individual honor given annually by the conference.

One male and one female winner will be selected later this week by the SAC Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The award recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community leadership. To be eligible, student-athletes must have been selected as the SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in one of the league's 14 sponsored sports.

Below are biographies of each SAC Presidents Award finalists.

Men

Chandler Hash, Anderson basketball

Hash had a standout season on the court for Anderson, leading the nation in three-point accuracy and ranking fourth in the SAC in scoring. He was a member of the All-SAC First Team and a two-time SAC Player of the Week.

Hash carries a 3.52 GPA studying education. He was selected as the SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in men's basketball, and was a member of the Capital One Academic All-District Team. His service efforts include speaking to elementary students, hosting a bible study and volunteering as a Freshman Orientation leader.

Christian Crifasi, Catawba cross country

Crifasi recorded top-10 finishes in five of his seven events this season, including at the Food Lion SAC Championship, where he was an All-Conference honoree.

The SAC Men's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year has a 3.65 GPA majoring in business administration. He was a member of the USTFCCAA All-Academic Team and serves in numerous leadership roles on campus, including as the SGA Vice President and as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.

Taylor Rakes, Tusculum baseball

After tying for fourth in the SAC with seven pitching wins, Rakes was selected to the All-Conference Second Team, the Daktronics All-Southeast Region Second Team and the NCBWA All-Southeast Region Third Team.

As a graduate student who finished his degree in business and economics with a 3.89 GPA, Rakes was selected as the SAC Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the Capital One Division II Baseball Academic All-American of the Year. His leadership roles include working with the Nettie Day of Service and as a youth baseball mentor.

Robbie Nallenweg, Wingate football

Nallenweg led the SAC in total offense, passing efficiency and touchdowns in helping guide Wingate to a share of second place in the conference standings.

A biology major with a 3.74 GPA, Nallenweg was voted as the SAC Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was a member of the Capital One Academic All-District Team. He was also a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in recognition of his service with the Union County Boys and Girls Club.

Women

Chantel Azevedo, Brevard soccer

Azevedo started 15 games for Brevard, finishing with a goal and an assist. She has a 3.90 GPA majoring in political science and communications, and was the SAC Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Azevedo also played a key role in helping Brevard earn a Team Academic Award from the NSCAA. She served this year as the president of the BC Debate Society and VP of the Student Government Association, and was honored with the C. Edward and Brona N. Roy Good Citizenship Award.

Danielle Bongiorno, Lenoir-Rhyne basketball

Bongiorno averaged 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 2012-13 for Lenoir-Rhyne, which finished as the runner-up in the SAC standings.

She carries a 3.99 GPA studying sports management. The SAC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year serves as a leader with groups that include FCA, Campus Crusades for Christ and Sign Troupe.

Casey Stevens, Newberry softball

Stevens hit .250 with a triple and a home run in 17 games this season for the Wolves. She has a perfect 4.0 GPA majoring in mathematics, and was selected as the SAC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Away from softball, Stevens serves as a mentor for young girls at Newberry Elementary and as a youth group leader at Whightman Church. She also tutors adults in computers and mathematics.

Ashley Sarmiento, Tusculum volleyball

Sarmiento was a member of the All-SAC Team and the Daktronics All-Southeast Region Team after leading Tusculum to an NCAA Tournament berth. She led the conference in assists per set at 9.36.

A mathematics/math education major with a 3.91 GPA, Sarmiento was named the SAC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was a member of the Capital One Academic All-District Team. She is active on campus with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the Nettie Day of Service and the TC elementary student mentorship program.

Kelli Ferguson, Wingate tennis

Ferguson went 17-4 in singles and 14-8 in doubles as Wingate won both the SAC regular-season and tournament championships.

Ferguson has a 3.85 GPA majoring in chemistry with a biology minor. She was voted as the SAC Women's Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was selected to the Capital One Academic All-District Team. She is active with groups that include Habitat for Humanity, the WU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Charlotte Racquet Club, where she teaches students the sport.