May 17, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ten senior Ohio State student-athletes, who have demonstrated athletic and academic excellence, are finalists for the Big Ten Medal of Honor this year. The nominees are Angel Aja (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), Tarin Forbes (Edmonton, Alberta), Jason Fox (Goshen, Ind.), Laura Murray (Woodbridge, Va.), Midge Petraglia (Worthington, Ohio), Brian Roskovich (Bridgeport, Ohio), Lisa Strom (North Wales, Pa.), Jon Torpey (Timonium, Md.), Kathleen Traeger (Littleton, Colo.) and Steve Wisniewski (Timberlake, Ohio). A male and female honoree will be awarded the 2000 Medal of Honor. In addition 323 student-athletes will be recognized at the 2000 OSU Scholar-Athlete Banquet at 6:30 p.m., May 24 at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.
The Big Ten Medal of Honor Award was established by the conference office in 1914 and is awarded at each member institution to a student-athlete in the graduating class. An additional award for the top female was instituted in 1982. The two winners are chosen according to both academic and athletic proficiency. This honor includes a post-graduate scholarship for the recipients who would like to pursue a graduate or professional program at Ohio State.
2000 Big Ten Medal of Honor Nominees
Angel Aja
Men's Volleyball
Senior
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Angel Aja, a native of Guaynabo Puerto Rico, is a current member of the Ohio State men's volleyball team. The team's unmatched level of success over the last four years can be directly attributed to Aja's skills and abilities as their "quarterback" on the court, Pete Hanson, OSU head coach, said. A four-year starter and letterwinner at the setting position, Aja led the team to three Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Conference Championships and to the finals of the 2000 NCAA National Championship. He was first-team All-America in 1998, a three-time all-conference team member, the 1999 NCAA statistical champion in assists, and 1998-99 MIVA statistical champion. In his final campaign, Aja was named the MIVA tournament Most Valuable Player, MIVA Player of the year, NCAA Championship All-Tournament team, and second-team All-America. In addition to MIVA and NCAA honors, he also was tabbed Most Valuable Player by his teammates and holds four OSU records, including career assist leader.
Aja's academic honors are just as impressive. He is a four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and a three-time academic all-Big Ten recipient. A business marketing major, Aja plans to pursue a graduate degree in business. His dream is to work in investment banking at home in Puerto Rico where he can give back to the people of his homeland and Latin America. Aja has also been involved in numerous volunteer activities both in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Tarin Forbes
Synchronized Swimming
Senior
Edmonton, Alberta
Tarin Forbes has become an integral part of The Ohio State University synchronized swimming team. In 1997 and 1999, she captured the bronze medal at nationals, placed first in solo, duet, and team competitions at the 1999 North Zones, and was the gold medallist in the trio and team events at the U.S. Summer Opens. This past year, she helped obtain an honor which had eluded the team for the past two years - the 2000 National Championships. Her leadership is recognized and well respected by her coach and teammates as she was named the 1999-00 "A" team captain.
Forbes' career in athletics and coursework in biology have inspired her to pursue a career in sports medicine. As a member of Ohio State's Honor's Program, a three-year academic All- American and Ohio State scholar-athlete, as well as a dean's list member, Forbes has proven her commitment to academics and will find continued success in medical or osteopathic school. She was not only committed to her own personal growth and development, but to that of others as well. She is currently involved with Big Brothers and Big Sisters Association, has volunteered for Toys for Tots, Race for the Cure, and chaired the 1996-97 International Club at Walsh University. Her volunteer work at the Ohio State Sports Medicine Center and the Chiropractic Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., will aide in transition from being an elite student-athlete to a career in medicine.
Jason Fox
Men's Swimming
Senior
Goshen, Ind.
Jason Fox, a member of the Ohio State swim team, is a student-athlete whose continual pursuit of excellence is evident in both his academic and athletic accomplishments. A Goshen, Ind., native, Fox is a four-year varsity award winner, three-year MVP, and USA National Team qualifier. He earned a spot on the World Championship Team in 1999 and scored in the championship finals of the Big Ten during each season as a Buckeye. In the 1998 Big Ten Championships, Fox was on the winning 400-yard medley relay team, placed second in the 200 individual medley, third in the 200 breaststroke, and second in the 200 medley relay. He also was recognized twice as an NCAA All-American. Jason was selected by his teammates as captain for both his junior and senior years. He is the recipient of the Most Promising Freshman, Most Improved Swimmer, and Spirit of Giving Award in his four years as a Buckeye.
Fox's academic honors are as equally outstanding. He is a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete, NCAA academic All-American, and an academic all-Big Ten member. Not only has he been on the dean's list every quarter while at Ohio State, earning a perfect 4.0 in eight different quarters, but he also was recognized as one of the Top 10 senior engineering students for the entire College of Engineering. He is a member of several organizations including Athletes in Action, New Life Church, and Tau Beta Pi, and is the swim team representative for the Student Athlete Advisory Board. With all of these extracurricular activities, he has found time to give back to the community through numerous speaking engagements.
Laura Murray
Pistol
Senior
Woodbridge, Va.
Laura Murray, a three-time letterwinner for the Ohio State pistol team, was an instrumental part in assisting her team to the 2000 National Intercollegiate Pistol Team Championship. Other team titles include 1999 and 2000 first-place finishes in the standard pistol, free pistol and standard pistol team events, and third place in the 1999 Women's Air Pistol Team event. Individually, Murray earned second place in women's sport pistol in 1999, then in 2000 took first place in the women's sport pistol, air pistol, and ROTC standard pistol events. Leading her team to a national championship by claiming the three individual titles, Murray was honored with first-team All-America status.
Murray began her involvement on the varsity pistol team as a result of learning how to shoot a pistol in the Ohio State Navy ROTC program. She has been successful in balancing the demands placed on a collegiate athlete, ROTC cadet, and student in nursing. Laura received the Midshipman Star Award for excellence in academics, physical fitness, and military aptitude, and the ROTC Academic Achievement award. She was named to the dean's list six times, was three-time scholar-athlete, and was inducted into the Anchor and Chain ROTC Honor Society. Active in the NROTC projects, Murray also is a four-year member of the NROTC Band and served as band commander for two years. Upon graduation this spring, she will launch an exciting nursing career as a Naval officer. She also plans to continue her shooting career with an eye on an Olympic medal.
Midge Petraglia
Crew
Senior
Worthington, Ohio
Midge Petraglia, as the captain of the women's varsity crew team, has been a key leader, mentor, and role model for the Ohio State rowing program. Her exceptional character has been recognized several times during her tenure as a varsity rower. Time management is a skill that she has mastered. A mother, wife, student, and rower, it is impressive and inspirational how she has excelled in all of her roles. Athletically, Petraglia has twice won the Masters event at the Cincinnati Indoor Rowing Championships. Her team was 1998 Midwest and Central Regional Champions and 1999 second- varsity Midwest and Central Regional Silver Medalists. Petraglia's crews have placed first or second at every regional or national regatta in which she has competed as a Buckeye.
Her scholastic performance is equally as impressive. She is a three-time OSU Scholar -Athlete and two-time academic all-Big Ten recipient. She also was inducted into the prestigious 1999 Mortar Board National Senior Honorary. Petraglia has given a tremendous amount of time and energy to the community. Her community involvement is somewhat unique for a student-athlete as it is in the role of a mother that she is involved in Parent/Teacher/Student Association, the Worthington Music Boosters, and the Boy Scouts. She has also spoken to schools, churches, and various other groups on drug and alcohol abuse prevention. After her graduation with a bachelor's degree in psychology, she plans on pursuing a master's degree in school psychology so that she can continue to be a motivator and positive influence on troubled teens.
Brian Roskovich
Wrestling
Senior
Bridgeport, Ohio
Buckeye wrestler and Bridgeport, Ohio, native Brian Roskovich, has nearly 90 victories on the wrestling mat. A nationally-ranked wrestler three of his four years, he is a respected competitor in the Big Ten Conference, winning the North Carolina Open in 1998 and qualifying for nationals in 1999-00. He is a four- time letterwinner and won the 'Near Falls' award three different seasons.
A history major planning to complete a master's degree in education for teacher certification, Roskovich is a five-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and academic all-Big Ten recipient. He was the 1995-96 wrestling representative for the Student -Athlete Advisory Board. He aspires to be a high school social studies teacher and wrestling coach.
Lisa Strom
Women's Golf
Senior
North Wales, Pa.
Hard work and dedication are not new concepts to Lisa Strom. A member of the Ohio State women's golf team, Strom has embraced the challenge of being both a student and athlete. As co-captain, she is guiding the program to its fourth-consecutive NCAA appearance with her co-medalist finish in the 2000 NCAA East Regional, a Big Ten Championship in 1999, and team titles in the Lady Northern and Lady Buckeye Fall Invitational in 1997, and the 1998 and 1999 Spring Invitational. Admired by her team and coach, she was awarded Most Improved Golfer in 1997.
Strom is a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete. She is a three-time academic all-Big Ten team member and NGCA Academic All- American. Besides her dedication to sport and school, she has served as Student -Athlete Advisory Board member, contributed articles to the Buckeye Flash, and participated in Read Across America, Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis, and Get-A-Girl Golfing Day. Strom also was proud to participate in the athletics department Thank-a-thon where she was able to thank individuals for making her dream of being a student-athlete a reality. After earning her bachelor's degree in education with a major in exercise science this spring, Strom plans to join the professional ranks.
Jon Torpey
Men's Lacrosse
Senior
Timonium, Md
A three-year captain and four-year starter and letterwinner, Jon Torpey is a true leader on the Ohio State men's lacrosse team. Torpey was honored as the 1997 Freshman of the Year and was a winner of the 1999 Lacrosse Sportsmanship Award, exemplifying his outstanding character and leadership. He also aided the team in winning the 1999 conference championship, a 2000 preseason all-conference first team member, and 1999 NCAA men's Lacrosse Division I representative.
His leadership and character transcend into the academic realm as well. A sport and leisure studies major in the College of Education, Torpey was a four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete, two-time academic all-Big Ten recipient, and three-time member of the dean's list, Torpey is an active member of both Athlete's in Action and the Student -Athlete Advisory Board, participating in many speaking engagements and community service projects. He was the 1999 NCAA lacrosse players representative and a four-year member of the U.S. LAX Foundation. With the dedication and hard work, Torpey has portrayed as a student-athlete, he will certainly be successful as he works toward his career goal of becoming a Division I head lacrosse coach.
Kathleen Traeger
Women's Soccer
Senior
Littleton, Colo.
Katy Traeger is a four-time letterwinner and assisted her team in attaining a second-place finish at the 1998 Big Ten Tournament. Traeger's enthusiasm, character, leadership, and dedication are evident in the many special awards she has received since becoming a Buckeye. In 1999, she was elected team captain, selected as Big Ten Player of the Week, and was the recipient of the Coach's Award. She finished her career ranked fifth in four career categories: goals, assists, points, and shots on goal. In her final home game, Traeger netted a 'hat trick' to lead the Buckeyes to a victory.
With a major in business administration/marketing, Traeger was honored with the 2000 Ohio State University Fisher College of Business Pace Setter Award. She has been recognized as a four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete, a three-year academic all-Big Ten recipient and two-time academic All-America nominee. She also found time to participate in numerous community service projects such as Ohio Wheel Chair Games, Swim for Diabetes, Race for the Cure, Toys for Tots, and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Traeger was the women's soccer team Student- Athlete Advisory Board member for two years. Traeger has been a positive role model to youth, speaking to elementary schools and various club soccer teams. We congratulate her on accepting a position with Andersen Consulting starting in July 2000.
Steve Wisniewski
Football
Senior
Timberlake, Ohio
A four- time letterwinner and an impressive 48-game starter at tight end, Steve Wisniewski is a member of the Ohio State football team. Wisniewski, a major contributor to the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and two Big Ten Conference championship teams, is truly a champion both on and off the field. He won the UCLA "Offensive Lineman of the Game" recognition in 1999. The Timberlake, Ohio, native completed his career with 21 receptions and 309 yards within an offensive scheme that does not feature the tight end as the primary receiver.
Wisniewski's excellence prevails off the field as well. His academic accolades and volunteer activities are extensive. A journalism major, he was on the dean's list from 1995-1999. He also was a five-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete, four-time academic all-Big Ten recipient, and two-time recipient of the Woody Hayes Academic Achievement Award. He has extended himself outside the classroom speaking for DARE, Franks for Life, Big Buddy Program, and Children's Hospital. He also was a member of the Student- Athlete Advisory Board. He plans to attend law school after graduation.
