POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 28, 2009) – From the water to the courts to the fields to the trails, Vassar athletes put forth excellent efforts last week and the Liberty League recognized the Brewers with a record-breaking ten weekly awards on Monday. Vassar's previous highest total was nine awards on October 13, 2008. Four cross country runners were honored for their performances at the Stevens Invite, as junior Jonathan Erickson and sophomore Johanna Spangler were named Performer of the Week, and freshmen Samuel Wagner and Kelly Holmes earned Rookie of the Week awards. Women's soccer freshman Ali Higgins was named Rookie of the Week as was women's volleyball freshman Hilary Koenigs while both men's and women's rowing earned Boat of the Week honors. Representing men's tennis, senior Michael Mattelson and freshman Andrew Guzick earned Performer of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors, respectively.

Jonathan Erickson, Junior, Men's Cross Country Performer of the Week
Erickson bested a field of 65 runners to win the Stevens XC 8K Invitational. Erickson ran a 26:22 race, leading Vassar to the team championship over the 10 other participating schools. Behind Erickson's performance, the Brewers have now finished first in each of this XC season's three competitive races. This is Erickson's first cross country Performer of the Week award to go with a Rookie of the Week honor in 2007.

Samuel Wagner, Freshman, Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Wagner ran an impressive race at the Stevens XC 8K Invitational. He finished third overall in the 65 runner field with a time of 26:52. His scoring performance helped lead the Brewers to the team championship in the event that featured 11 schools. Vassar has now finished first in all three XC races this season. This is Wagner's first career Rookie of the Week honor.

Johanna Spangler, Sophomore, Women's Cross Country Performer of the Week
With a first place finish, Spangler led Vassar to the championship of the eight team Stevens 6k Invitational. In the 49 runner field, Spangler finished in 22:15, posting her second first place finish out of three races she has competed in this season. This is Spangler's second Performer of the Week this season, complementing five Rookie of the Week and one Performer of the Week earned as a freshman.

Kelly Holmes, Freshman, Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Holmes had another stellar performance finishing third oveall in the Stevens XC Invitational 6k race. The top freshman finisher in the race, Holmes posted a 23:08 time, helping Vassar capture the team championship. This was Holmen's first top five finish this season in addition to two top ten performances. Holmes has now been named Rookie of the Week twice this season.

Men's Rowing, Varsity 4, Boat of the Week
Vassar started its season at the Head of the Hudson regatta, earning a victory in a time of 20:00.4, beating out the Vassar B boat in second, with Rensselaer finishing in third. The boat was manned by sophomore Erik Snow at stroke, sophomore Nikolas Goldberg-3, freshman Vincent Marchetta-2, and junior Peter Muhn-1 with sophomore Meghan Levine at coxswain.

Women's Rowing, Varsity 8, Boat of the Week
The Brewers kicked off their season with a victory at the Head of the Hudson regatta, winning in a time of 19:07.4, to defeat second place Albany who finished in 20:00.49. The winning boat consisted of senior Christina Peltier-8, sophomore Hannah Siebens-7, junior Alina von Korff-6, senior Caroline Jolley-5, senior Hannah Wilkoff-4, sophomore Erin Donohoe-3, senior Nicole Clark-2, freshman Emma Russel-1 with sophomore Jessica Panico at coxswain.

Ali Higgins, Freshman, Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Higgins recorded seven saves in each of Vassar's games this weekend, many of them difficult acrobatic stops, as the Brewers opened up league play 1-1. She held the No. 5 William Smith offense to just one goal on Friday, and picked up the win in Vassar's 2-1 victory over Hamilton on Saturday. This is Higgins' first career Liberty League award.

Michael Mattelson, Senior, Men's Tennis Performer of the Week
Mattelson remained undefeated in dual match competition this season with victories in both doubles and singles against Stevens. At No. 1 doubles, he teamed with freshman partner Andrew Guzick for an 8-4 victory and at No. 1 singles won in straight sets 7-5, 6-3. Vassar posted a 6-3 team victory over Stevens. Mattelson has been named Performer of the Week twice this season, bringing his career total to nine to go along with five Rookie of the Week awards.

Andrew Guzick, Freshman, Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Guzick had a standout performance against Stevens, remaining unbeaten in both doubles and singles in dual match play. Playing at No. 1 doubles with Mike Mattelson, Guzick notched an 8-4 victory. He continued his stellar play at No. 2 singles where he won convincingly 6-2, 6-2. This is Guzick's second consecutive week being named Rookie of the Week.

Hilary Koenigs, Freshman, Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Koenigs had a tremendous five-match, 19-set stretch for the Brewers. She accounted for 196 set assists (10.32) out of the team's total of 202, including a career-high 50 against SUNY New Paltz. In four of those matches she had 35 or more set assists. On the defensive side, she had 69 digs (3.63) including a career-high 20 against Colby College. She had double figures in digs in four of five matches. Koenigs added nine kills, four service aces and ten total blocks in the week. Koenigs has earned Liberty League awards every week of the season, as a three-time Rookie of the Week and Performer of the Week.