(L-R): Aleemah Williams, Grace Faulkner, Ava Thurston, Katherine Sung, Olof Hedelin, Jasmine Drolet, Steven Townley, John Steel Hagenbuch, Mike Harrity.
Photo by: Cayla Fernandes
Dartmouth Holds 2023-24 Celebration of Excellence
5/21/2024 8:27:00 PM | Athletics
HANOVER, N.H. — The Dartmouth College Department of Athletics and Recreation hosted its annual Celebration of Excellence, an event that honors teams' and individuals' top achievements, on Tuesday evening. The ceremony was held in Thompson Arena for the second straight year.
Seniors Gannon McCorkle (football) and Grace Faulkner (women's soccer) served as masters of ceremony throughout the evening.
Take a look at the evening's department award winners.
KENNETH ARCHIBALD PRIZE
The Kenneth Archibald Prize is awarded to a member of the graduating class, who has been four years in attendance, and who in the judgment of the Athletic Council has been the best all-around athlete with regard being had to moral worth and high standing in scholarship.
Winner: Katherine Sung • Women's Golf
Sung was instrumental in the women's golf program's first-ever Ivy League Championship during the 2024 season and came away with a First Team All-Ivy honor – the second of her career – in addition to her an Academic All-Ivy nod. Owning one of the lowest career stroke averages in program history, Sung is a two-time captain and will be remembered as a key contributor to the program's rebuild.
ALFRED E. WATSON TROPHY
The Alfred E. Watson Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding Dartmouth athlete on a men's team during the year. Nominations for the Watson Trophy are submitted by the coaches of the men's varsity teams and voted on by the head coaches of the men's teams.
Winner: John Steel Hagenbuch • Men's Nordic Skiing
Hagenbuch's NCAA Championship victory in the 7.5K freestyle event was one of the top highlights across Dartmouth Athletics during the 2023-24 academic year. As a junior, Hagenbuch started eight collegiate races and won seven of them. In addition to his NCAA Championship, he won both Eastern Region NCAA Championship races (7.5K freestyle and the 20K classic). The only event Hagenbuch didn't win was the 20K classic at NCAA Championships, but he was able to earn a top-five finish to claim First Team All-America status.
CLASS OF 1976 AWARD
The Class of 1976 Award is given to the most outstanding athlete from a women's team during the year. The winner is determined by the head coaches of the women's varsity teams and the Dean of Students.
Winner: Jasmine Drolet • Women's Nordic Skiing
Drolet won the 20K Classic at the NCAA Championships and was third in the 7.5K skate on the national stage to earn a First Team All-America honor. She also competed internationally, representing Canada at the U23 Championships in Slovenia, where she recorded a 10th place finish in the 10K classic and was a member of the winning mixed relay team.
CLASS OF 1948 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARDS
The Class of 1948 Scholar-Athlete Award is given annually to one member of a men's team and one member of a women's team in the junior class who have combined outstanding performance in athletics and significant achievement in academics, as nominated by the head coaches of the varsity sports, and selected by the Athletics Director.
Winners: Ava Thurston • Women's Nordic Skiing & Steven Townley • Men's Hockey
Thurston has maintained an impressive grade point average – better than 3.9 – despite being away from campus for portions of the year while training with the US National Team, in addition to her massive time commitment to Dartmouth's program. In action with the Big Green, Thurston won the EISA Championship Classic races and turned in three top-10 finishes in National Championship events.
While serving as a captain for the Dartmouth men's hockey team, which reached the ECAC Hockey Semifinals this season for the first time since 2016, Townley owns a 3.87 GPA and has earned plenty of academic accolades in the form of ECAC Student-Athlete of the Year finalist recognition, and an Academic All-Ivy honor. In addition to leading on the ice and in the classroom, Townley has been a key member of the Canaan Club, a group of Dartmouth student-athletes who make weekly visits to nearby Canaan Elementary School to provide valuable mentorship to young students.
CLASS OF 1950 AWARD
The Class of 1950 Award is presented annually to the varsity student-athlete who has demonstrated the most extraordinary commitment to community service. Nominations are submitted by the head coaches and captains of varsity sports, and the winner is selected by the Dean of the College, the Director of Athletics, and the Dean of the Tucker Foundation.
Winner: Aleemah Williams • Women's Rugby
Not many around campus have found more ways to get involved than Williams, a two-time national champion as a four-year member of the women's rugby program. Williams serves on the Institutional Diversity and Equity Advisory Board in addition to her role as an NAACP mentor. She has also worked with refugees through the SHARe and Welcome Home, programs that provides a warm welcome to asylum seekers and refugees.
AGNES B. KURTZ AWARD
Aggie Kurtz was the first woman appointed to the athletic staff when co-education arrived at Dartmouth in 1972. She coached field hockey, squash and lacrosse, and also taught physical education classes. She was later appointed assistant athletic director. The award named in her honor is nominated and voted on by the captains of the women's teams and given to that person who best combines proficiency in athletics with dedication to the furthering of women's sports.
Winner: Grace Faulkner • Women's Soccer
Faulkner, a captain of the women's soccer team and team leader in minutes played, has demonstrated a commitment to furthering women's sports while helping lead the Big Green during a strong season that featured an unbeaten start through 10 games – a new program best. She has recently conducted a research project about women's sports and NIL deals, and will leave a legacy of tireless work ethic and strong leadership both on and off the field.
TIMOTHY WRIGHT ELLIS 1955 MEMORIAL AWARD
The Timothy Wright Ellis 1955 Memorial Award is nominated and voted on by the captains of the men's teams. It is given to a member of a men's team showing the extra-curricular and scholastic drive, spirit, loyalty and amiability which made Tim such a well-known part of this community.
Winner: Olof Hedelin • Men's Alpine Skiing
Hedelin's reputation around campus is that of a friend and a mentor. His commitment to Dartmouth Athletics extends far beyond the skiing program as he often supports other teams and serves as a resource for a variety of fellow student-athletes. Hedelin has also been named to the USCSCA National Collegiate All-Academic ski team every season.
MOMENT OF EXCELLENCE
The Moment of Excellence, the newest addition to the Celebration of Excellence, recognizes top plays, performances, and acts of character over the past year. The winner is determined through live polls on social media, so friends, family, fans, student-athletes, and coaches all have the opportunity to cast their votes for which moment stood out amongst all others.
Winner • Women's Golf's 2024 Ivy League Championship
The Dartmouth women's golf team made history on April 21, 2024 with its first-ever Ivy League Championship. The Big Green entered the final day in Greenwich, Connecticut two strokes off the lead and put forth a strong showing when it mattered most, shooting 10-over-298 to finish at 35-over-899. The department then came together to watch the NCAA Selection Show, which sent Dartmouth to the Las Vegas Regional.
Seniors Gannon McCorkle (football) and Grace Faulkner (women's soccer) served as masters of ceremony throughout the evening.
Take a look at the evening's department award winners.
KENNETH ARCHIBALD PRIZE
The Kenneth Archibald Prize is awarded to a member of the graduating class, who has been four years in attendance, and who in the judgment of the Athletic Council has been the best all-around athlete with regard being had to moral worth and high standing in scholarship.
Winner: Katherine Sung • Women's Golf
Sung was instrumental in the women's golf program's first-ever Ivy League Championship during the 2024 season and came away with a First Team All-Ivy honor – the second of her career – in addition to her an Academic All-Ivy nod. Owning one of the lowest career stroke averages in program history, Sung is a two-time captain and will be remembered as a key contributor to the program's rebuild.
ALFRED E. WATSON TROPHY
The Alfred E. Watson Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding Dartmouth athlete on a men's team during the year. Nominations for the Watson Trophy are submitted by the coaches of the men's varsity teams and voted on by the head coaches of the men's teams.
Winner: John Steel Hagenbuch • Men's Nordic Skiing
Hagenbuch's NCAA Championship victory in the 7.5K freestyle event was one of the top highlights across Dartmouth Athletics during the 2023-24 academic year. As a junior, Hagenbuch started eight collegiate races and won seven of them. In addition to his NCAA Championship, he won both Eastern Region NCAA Championship races (7.5K freestyle and the 20K classic). The only event Hagenbuch didn't win was the 20K classic at NCAA Championships, but he was able to earn a top-five finish to claim First Team All-America status.
CLASS OF 1976 AWARD
The Class of 1976 Award is given to the most outstanding athlete from a women's team during the year. The winner is determined by the head coaches of the women's varsity teams and the Dean of Students.
Winner: Jasmine Drolet • Women's Nordic Skiing
Drolet won the 20K Classic at the NCAA Championships and was third in the 7.5K skate on the national stage to earn a First Team All-America honor. She also competed internationally, representing Canada at the U23 Championships in Slovenia, where she recorded a 10th place finish in the 10K classic and was a member of the winning mixed relay team.
CLASS OF 1948 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARDS
The Class of 1948 Scholar-Athlete Award is given annually to one member of a men's team and one member of a women's team in the junior class who have combined outstanding performance in athletics and significant achievement in academics, as nominated by the head coaches of the varsity sports, and selected by the Athletics Director.
Winners: Ava Thurston • Women's Nordic Skiing & Steven Townley • Men's Hockey
Thurston has maintained an impressive grade point average – better than 3.9 – despite being away from campus for portions of the year while training with the US National Team, in addition to her massive time commitment to Dartmouth's program. In action with the Big Green, Thurston won the EISA Championship Classic races and turned in three top-10 finishes in National Championship events.
While serving as a captain for the Dartmouth men's hockey team, which reached the ECAC Hockey Semifinals this season for the first time since 2016, Townley owns a 3.87 GPA and has earned plenty of academic accolades in the form of ECAC Student-Athlete of the Year finalist recognition, and an Academic All-Ivy honor. In addition to leading on the ice and in the classroom, Townley has been a key member of the Canaan Club, a group of Dartmouth student-athletes who make weekly visits to nearby Canaan Elementary School to provide valuable mentorship to young students.
CLASS OF 1950 AWARD
The Class of 1950 Award is presented annually to the varsity student-athlete who has demonstrated the most extraordinary commitment to community service. Nominations are submitted by the head coaches and captains of varsity sports, and the winner is selected by the Dean of the College, the Director of Athletics, and the Dean of the Tucker Foundation.
Winner: Aleemah Williams • Women's Rugby
Not many around campus have found more ways to get involved than Williams, a two-time national champion as a four-year member of the women's rugby program. Williams serves on the Institutional Diversity and Equity Advisory Board in addition to her role as an NAACP mentor. She has also worked with refugees through the SHARe and Welcome Home, programs that provides a warm welcome to asylum seekers and refugees.
AGNES B. KURTZ AWARD
Aggie Kurtz was the first woman appointed to the athletic staff when co-education arrived at Dartmouth in 1972. She coached field hockey, squash and lacrosse, and also taught physical education classes. She was later appointed assistant athletic director. The award named in her honor is nominated and voted on by the captains of the women's teams and given to that person who best combines proficiency in athletics with dedication to the furthering of women's sports.
Winner: Grace Faulkner • Women's Soccer
Faulkner, a captain of the women's soccer team and team leader in minutes played, has demonstrated a commitment to furthering women's sports while helping lead the Big Green during a strong season that featured an unbeaten start through 10 games – a new program best. She has recently conducted a research project about women's sports and NIL deals, and will leave a legacy of tireless work ethic and strong leadership both on and off the field.
TIMOTHY WRIGHT ELLIS 1955 MEMORIAL AWARD
The Timothy Wright Ellis 1955 Memorial Award is nominated and voted on by the captains of the men's teams. It is given to a member of a men's team showing the extra-curricular and scholastic drive, spirit, loyalty and amiability which made Tim such a well-known part of this community.
Winner: Olof Hedelin • Men's Alpine Skiing
Hedelin's reputation around campus is that of a friend and a mentor. His commitment to Dartmouth Athletics extends far beyond the skiing program as he often supports other teams and serves as a resource for a variety of fellow student-athletes. Hedelin has also been named to the USCSCA National Collegiate All-Academic ski team every season.
MOMENT OF EXCELLENCE
The Moment of Excellence, the newest addition to the Celebration of Excellence, recognizes top plays, performances, and acts of character over the past year. The winner is determined through live polls on social media, so friends, family, fans, student-athletes, and coaches all have the opportunity to cast their votes for which moment stood out amongst all others.
Winner • Women's Golf's 2024 Ivy League Championship
The Dartmouth women's golf team made history on April 21, 2024 with its first-ever Ivy League Championship. The Big Green entered the final day in Greenwich, Connecticut two strokes off the lead and put forth a strong showing when it mattered most, shooting 10-over-298 to finish at 35-over-899. The department then came together to watch the NCAA Selection Show, which sent Dartmouth to the Las Vegas Regional.
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