SHREVEPORT, La. - Centenary Ladies softball freshman Madison Fremen and senior Gents baseball player Michael Schimpf were named the inaugural Gent and Lady of the Year at the annual athletics banquet.
The Lady and Gent of the Year awards will annually recognize the male and female athlete who best exemplifies perseverance, character, and determination in everything they do. According to the award language, the Lady and Gent of the Year Award highlights athletes who "give positive support and encouragement throughout the school year in practices and competition on campus and in the community."
The Centenary Student-Athlete Advisory set up the award criteria and every athletic team put forth a nominee. All student-athletes voted on the slate of nominees. Athletes were ineligible to vote for an athlete on their own team.
"I am pleased that our student-athletes have taken it upon themselves to establish criteria for this award. They have set the standard for what a Lady or Gent should be," said Director of Athletics and Recreation Bob Bunnell. "The fact that this honor is voted on by their peers will make it one of the most coveted awards for student-athletes for years to come."
The Lady of the Year, freshman Madison Fremen, has been used primarily as a pinch-runner for the Ladies softball team this season. She appeared in 19 games with three starts. She has two hits in eight at-bats with eight runs scored and four stolen bases.
"Since her arrival on campus in the fall, Madison has exemplified the qualities that we look for in our student-athletes," said head softball coach Mark Suire. "She has worked to be the best she can be both on the field and in the classroom. She has been willing to make sacrifices and has played many roles for the betterment of the softball team. Although she faced personal adversity and was sidelined by an injury, she never wavered in her commitment to her teammates."
"Her commitment to achieving at a high level academically, athletically, and personally makes her an ideal choice for Lady of the Year!"
Senior Michael Schimpf, the 2017 Gent of the Year, will finish his Gents baseball career ranked in the top-10 in numerous offensive statistical categories. The 2016 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference batting champion with a .425 average, he currently leads the conference with a .418 batting average and a .565 on-base percentage.
Academically, he became the fourth player in school history to be named CoSIDA Academic All-America in 2016.
"I've been saying it for a while now: Michael Schimpf is the best ambassador that Centenary College and Centenary athletics could ask for," said head baseball coach Mike Diaz. "It is great to see that his peers have voted to honor him with this award."
Both the baseball and softball teams wrap up April at their respective Conference Tournaments this weekend. The top-seeded Gents battle fourth-seeded Southwestern at 1 p.m. in Grand Prairie, Texas, Friday, April 28. The third-seeded Ladies begin their quest for an SCAC Championship against sixth-seeded Trinity at 2 p.m. Friday at Texas Lutheran in Seguin, Texas.
