2008 Woodie Awards
Miami's best embody talent, leadership
Mike Zoller
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
As the 2007-08 school year comes to a conclusion faster than Boston College can score three goals, it's time once again for me to name my top five RedHawk athletes for this past school year. While I can't name everyone, each of these five athletes I have seen play multiple times over the course of their season and they demonstrate not only talent but leadership as well.
5: Tim Pollitz, Men's basketball-Last year Pollitz was my No. 1 athlete of the year, and why not? He led Miami to an NCAA Tournament birth in a thrilling and unforgettable season. And even though he's not No. 1 for a second straight year, it's hard to overlook what this senior meant to the Miami basketball team not only this year, but all four years he's been here. Pollitz led the team in points with 510 and in rebounds with 234. Being the only senior on the squad this year, his leadership both on and off the court was crucial this season.
4: Alyssa Nye, Field hockey-Many won't remember how close the field hockey team was to knocking off Ohio University and making it into the NCAA Tournament. While many walked right by the field hockey turf on their way to a Miami football game, the RedHawks fell by one goal in overtime to the No. 1 seeded Bobcats. Throughout the season Nye was the leader with 29 points, including 12 goals, double of the next highest player.
3: Jeff Zatkoff, Ice hockey-Miami was blessed with gifted athletes this year. Especially since Zatkoff led the nation in goals allowed and save percentage and only makes it to No. 3 on my list. The highlight reel Zatkoff put together this season would be at least two hours long. Save after save, he kept Miami atop the national polls for weeks, while earning the 'Hawks a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. There's not much more you can say about Zatkoff-he played lights out all season and is one of the main reasons why Miami's ice hockey team did so well. The Los Angeles Kings are one lucky team to have him.
2: Amanda Jackson, Women's basketball-I covered a majority of the women's basketball team's home games this year and couldn't have been more impressed with Jackson's play. She is one of the BEST basketball players to ever come through Millett Hall-and I think head coach Maria Fantanarosa would agree. Her team-leading 712 points were 246 better than Jenna Schone's 466 and the leadership she brought to the team was something you can't teach anywhere. Jackson became Miami's all-time scoring leader, passing Heather Cusick Jan. 28. Her list of awards this season is far too long for me to write here, but it's capped off with her signing a training camp contract with the WNBA's Chicago Sky.
1: Ryan Jones, Ice hockey-You knew he had to be in the top five, and after leading the nation in goals scored during the regular season this year, how can Jones be anywhere but No. 1? The long-haired beast on the ice was the
ignition for the RedHawk offense, scoring 30 goals, including seven game-winners. He was exactly what you look for in an ice hockey team captain. He stood up for his teammates, usually taking multiple penalties in the process, but at the end of the day, you were just glad he was on your team. One of three finalists for the Hobey Baker award and the ice hockey team's co-MVP, Jones made the most of his senior season. He will lace up his skates with the Minnesota Wild next season and I promise ESPN's Barry Melrose will be saying his name in the future.
5: Tim Pollitz, Men's basketball-Last year Pollitz was my No. 1 athlete of the year, and why not? He led Miami to an NCAA Tournament birth in a thrilling and unforgettable season. And even though he's not No. 1 for a second straight year, it's hard to overlook what this senior meant to the Miami basketball team not only this year, but all four years he's been here. Pollitz led the team in points with 510 and in rebounds with 234. Being the only senior on the squad this year, his leadership both on and off the court was crucial this season.
4: Alyssa Nye, Field hockey-Many won't remember how close the field hockey team was to knocking off Ohio University and making it into the NCAA Tournament. While many walked right by the field hockey turf on their way to a Miami football game, the RedHawks fell by one goal in overtime to the No. 1 seeded Bobcats. Throughout the season Nye was the leader with 29 points, including 12 goals, double of the next highest player.
3: Jeff Zatkoff, Ice hockey-Miami was blessed with gifted athletes this year. Especially since Zatkoff led the nation in goals allowed and save percentage and only makes it to No. 3 on my list. The highlight reel Zatkoff put together this season would be at least two hours long. Save after save, he kept Miami atop the national polls for weeks, while earning the 'Hawks a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. There's not much more you can say about Zatkoff-he played lights out all season and is one of the main reasons why Miami's ice hockey team did so well. The Los Angeles Kings are one lucky team to have him.
2: Amanda Jackson, Women's basketball-I covered a majority of the women's basketball team's home games this year and couldn't have been more impressed with Jackson's play. She is one of the BEST basketball players to ever come through Millett Hall-and I think head coach Maria Fantanarosa would agree. Her team-leading 712 points were 246 better than Jenna Schone's 466 and the leadership she brought to the team was something you can't teach anywhere. Jackson became Miami's all-time scoring leader, passing Heather Cusick Jan. 28. Her list of awards this season is far too long for me to write here, but it's capped off with her signing a training camp contract with the WNBA's Chicago Sky.
1: Ryan Jones, Ice hockey-You knew he had to be in the top five, and after leading the nation in goals scored during the regular season this year, how can Jones be anywhere but No. 1? The long-haired beast on the ice was the
ignition for the RedHawk offense, scoring 30 goals, including seven game-winners. He was exactly what you look for in an ice hockey team captain. He stood up for his teammates, usually taking multiple penalties in the process, but at the end of the day, you were just glad he was on your team. One of three finalists for the Hobey Baker award and the ice hockey team's co-MVP, Jones made the most of his senior season. He will lace up his skates with the Minnesota Wild next season and I promise ESPN's Barry Melrose will be saying his name in the future.
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