Grinnell first-year athletes honors at GOAL ceremony

Grinnell College Athletics

GRINNELL, Iowa – Four Grinnell College students were honored with G. Lester Duke ’25 awards as 2017-18 outstanding freshman athletes during Sunday’s GOAL ceremony at Darby Gymnasium.

Milica Cvrkota ’21 won the award for top female in an individual sport and Darice Wheeler ’21 for a team sport. Male winners were Paul Cover ’21 in an individual sport and Brock Weirather ’21 for a team sport.

Cvrkota was named Midwest Conference Newcomer of the year in tennis after claiming the league’s No. 1 singles title last fall. She guided the Pioneers to their 11th MWC crown in 14 years and a spot in the NCAA Division III National Tournament. She holds the school record for singles victories in a season with 27 and is tied for fourth in doubles wins with 23.

Wheeler rewrote the Grinnell softball record book while guiding the Pioneers to their first MWC Tournament appearance since 2006 and a school record for wins. As of last week, she was the NCAA Division III leader in RBIs with 63 and slugging percentage at 1.143. She set school records in both categories as well as batting average, on-base percentage, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, total bases and bases on balls.

Cover was named the MWC Swimmer of the Year after winning the 100- and 200-yard butterflies at the MWC Championships, as well as the 500 freestyle. Additionally, he swam on the winning 200 and 400 medley relay teams as Grinnell won the MWC title for the third year in a row and 15th season in the last 17.

Weirather is in line for All-MWC baseball honors, which will be announced Monday, after helping the Pioneers to their 10th MWC Tournament appearance in a row and 13th overall. On the mound, he was the team’s ace with a 5-1 record and 3.88 ERA in 11 appearances. He struck out 36 batters in 58 innings.

Several senior award winners were announced at the ceremony, too, and will be officially presented at Saturday’s Honor G Banquet.