NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The Carleton College Physical Education, Athletics, and Recreation (P.E.A.R.) Department distributed its annual senior awards with 10 members of the Class of 2022 taking home recognition:
Pat Lamb Award
- Kristin Miyagi (Honolulu, Hawaii/'Iolani School) – Women's Golf
- Kapani Kirkland (Mendota Heights, Minn./Convent of the Visitation) – Women's Swim and Dive
Ele Hansen Award
Mel Taube Award
- Ben Santos (Boulder, Colo./Boulder) – Men's Cross-Country and Men's Track and Field
- Adam Nik (Mankato, Minn./Eden Prairie) – Football and Men's Swim
Warren L. Beson Memorial Award
- Alex Battist (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) – Men's Basketball
- Stephen Lavey (Cedar Grove, Wis./Cedar Grove-Belgium) – Men's Cross-Country and Men's Track and Field
Andy Engel Award
- Talia Williams (Minnetonka, Minn./Eagle Ridge Academy) – Women's Volleyball
The Pat Lamb Award is given to outstanding senior female student-athletes who have achieved athletic excellence at the varsity level and a high level of academic achievement. One award is given for team sports, and the other for individual sports.
Miyagi, a Political Science/International Relations major, was an All-Midwest Region selection for the third consecutive time in 2022, becoming the 11th player in program history to earn multiple All-Region awards, and 1 of 5 to earn the honor at least three times. She was also only the 17th individual in MIAC Women's Golf history to earn four all-conference awards. Miyagi also became the fifth Knight to be named MIAC Senior of the Year, and there was no question that she deserved it, as she place among the top-5 finishers at 7 of 8 tournaments played this season, as well as concluding the season with the third-best stroke average in the conference.
Kirkland, a Political Science/International Relations major and a three-time NCAA Regional participant, received both All-MIAC status for the 3-meter board, her second such honor, as well as an All-MIAC honorable mention on the 1-meter board. Her 11th-place finish at Regionals in the 3-meter was her highest scoring result in her three trips. Kirkland qualified for the NCAA Regional meet in all three years of participating.
The Ele Hansen Award recognizes two senior female students who bring to their sport the joy of participation and who have positively influenced others through their example, service, and leadership in the athletic or recreation program.
Collins, a Psychology major, was an National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region pick, becoming just the sixth Knight to be named to the All-Region team since 2000. She tied the Knights' all-time record with 37 career doubles, including racking up 16 this season, which was good for best in the MIAC, second in the region, and 20th in the country. Collins, an All-MIAC selection as well, finished 16th in the country in doubles per game (0.53) which was good for third-best in the region.
Shah, a Chemistry and Sociology/Anthropology double major, led the Knights in rounds played, playing in every event for the team on the season, finishing with a top-20 finish, the first of her career. She finished with an average of 85.4, the best average of her four seasons at Carleton. Shah was also a multiple time WGCA All-American Scholar.
Marsh, a Biology major, was a five-time recipient of All-MIAC Honorable Mention this year. During the indoor season, she placed fifth in the pentathlon (2,735 points) and sixth in the pole vault (3.17 meters). Upon moving to the outdoor season, she finished her career at Carleton at a high point by picking up all-conference honorable mention recognition at the conference meet three more times: heptathlon (fourth place with a personal-best 3,989 points), pole vault (fourth at 3.20 meters), and long jump (fifth with a personal-best 5.30 meters).
The Mel Taube Award is given to students for exceptional loyalty, dedication, competitive spirit, and achievement in varsity athletics. The recipient must have participated in at least two sports with emphasis on at least one team sport.
Santos, a Computer Science major, earned all-conference recognition in cross country and both indoor and outdoor track & field. He placed sixth at the MIAC Cross Country Championships in the fall and was an individual qualifier for the NCAA Championships, where he finished 98th of 253 participants. He finished sixth in the mile run (4:17.73) at the MIAC Indoor Championships and was part of the Knights' second-place distance medley relay (10:27.23). He capped his senior year with an outstanding performance to win the steeplechase at MIAC Outdoor Championships, running a career-best time of 9:20.93.
Nik, a Computer Science major, played in all 10 games for the Carleton football team in the fall then transitioned to the men's swimming & diving squad for the winter season. He was part of two All-MIAC relays, swimming the butterfly leg on the Knights' third-place showings in both the 200-yard and 400-yard medley relays. Nik also tallied fourth place finishes in the 100 and 200-yard butterfly individual races, securing All-MIAC honorable mention status, the first individual conference recognition of his career.
The Warren L. Beson Memorial is an award for athletic and academic excellence to a senior who has won one or more awards in any sport and has a high scholastic average.
Battist, a Biology major, was a two-year starter on the hardwood. At the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign, he was named All-MIAC honorable mention for the second time after averaging 11.5 points while leading the Knights with 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. He set a new career high in points when he scored 30 in a road win at Trinity (TX) in November. He was 1 of only 3 MIAC players averaging at least 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game.
Lavey, a Biology major, made four career trips to the NCAA Championships and earned multiple All-Region awards with eight all-conference honors during his career. During his senior year, he was the runner up at the 2021 MIAC Cross Country Championships, helping the Knights win their fourth consecutive conference title. An All-Region performer during the indoor season, Lavey won the 5,000-meter run (14:31.30) and the conference championships and took fourth in the 3,000-meter run (8:28.22). He qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships at the longer distance. During the outdoor season, Lavey won the 10K race at the MIAC meet and capped his career by racing that event at Nationals.
The Andy Engel Award is given annually to a male or female student-athlete who embodies characteristics Andy was known for: leadership, athleticism, and intelligence. The award recipient is recognized for his/her athletic achievement at Carleton in addition to being acknowledged as a great teammate and classmate.
Williams, a Biochemistry major, appeared in 46 matches during her collegiate career as a defensive specialist. She was the President of Carleton's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for multiple years and was appointed to the NCAA's national SAAC. She also represented Carleton to the MIAC's student-athlete advisory panel, where she worked closely with the conference's Special Olympics initiatives.
The Pat Lamb Award publicly honors Pat Lamb, Carleton's first director of women's athletics (1970–1985). Professor Lamb was an influential leader in the early development of increased opportunities for women not only at Carleton, but also at the state, regional, and national levels. This award is endowed by a fund created by friends, colleagues, and former students upon Lamb's retirement in 1994.
The Ele Hansen Award publicly honors Professor Eleanor Hansen, chair of the women's physical education department from 1952–86 as well as head softball and head cross country coach, in appreciation for the generosity, enthusiasm, and warmth she shared with generations of Carleton students. It is endowed by a fund created by her friends, colleagues, and former students at the time of her retirement in 1986.
The Mel Taube Award honors its namesake who served as athletic director from 1960–70, baseball coach from 1950–70, football coach from 1960–70, and head basketball coach from 1950-60.
The Warren L. Beson Memorial is named for former head football coach Warren Beson, who came to Carleton in 1956 after leading Edina High School to the mythical state championship. He quickly turned the fortunes of the program around in three-plus seasons before dying of a heart attack midway through the 1959 campaign. Despite his short tenure he left a lasting impression on colleagues and students. Beson, who reportedly had chances to coach larger and more successful programs, stayed at Carleton, amassing a 21-7-2 mark, including a 1956 Midwest Conference tri-championship.
The Andy Engel Award is in memory of Andy J. Engel '82 who died unexpectedly in May 2012. A political science major at Carleton, he went on to a career with the Leuthold Group in Minneapolis, serving as Managing Editor and Portfolio Manager. Engel is chiefly remembered, though, as a dedicated varsity member of the Knights football team, a leader within his class, and as a student-athlete. He was known for his quiet strength, dry sense of humor, and loving commitment to his family and friends.
