POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 7, 2009) – Four Vassar athletes made their mark in just the first week of competition of the 2009 fall season by earning Liberty League weekly accolades on Monday. Following their performances at the Vassar Cross Country Invitational, sophomore Johanna Spangler was named the women's cross country Performer of the Week and fellow runner Yaron Teich was the men's cross country Rookie of the Week. Sophomore Alix Zongrone earned the Offensive Performer of the Week title for women's soccer after Vassar's 2-0 start to the season and freshman Hilary Koenigs was named the women's volleyball Rookie of the Week, as her Brewer squad also went 2-0 in their first week.

Johanna Spangler, Sophomore, Women's Cross Country Performer of the Week
Spangler, an NCAA Championship qualifier as a freshman, started her sophomore cross country season by winning the VC Invitational. She easily captured the 5k race in a field of 86 runners with a 20:14 finish (6:31 per mile), 12 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Spangler's leading performance helped Vassar win the team championship for a fourth straight year. In her brief career she has been Vassar's top finisher in six races. This is Spangler's seventh career weekly award in cross country after being named Rookie of the Week five times and Performer of the Week once last season. She was also Performer of the Week once and Rookie of the Week twice during her debut track season.

Yaron Teich, Freshman, Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
It was an impressive debut race for Teich who finished fourth overall -- and was Vassar's second finisher -- in the annual 6k VC Invitational. Teich's 20:46 time was only four seconds off a third place finish in a race that boasted 94 runners, was run in 85 degree heat and under bright sunshine. His veteran-like effort helped lead the Brewers to the team championship for the seventh straight year.


Alix Zongrone, Sophomore, Women's Soccer Offensive Performer of the Week
Zongrone recorded seven points in the opening week of play as Vassar went 2-0. She scored two goals, including the game-winner, as the Brewers defeated Elms College, 3-1 on Saturday. Her goals came just over four minutes apart and broke open what had been 67 minutes of a scoreless game. Zongrone's aggressive play in the midfield was crucial in helping Vassar control possession throughout the game as the Brewers out shot Elms 35-4 with Zongrone contributing four shots, three on goal. Zongrone also recorded a goal and an assist in Vassar's season-opening win over Mt. St. Vincent on Wednesday. This is Zongrone's second career weekly Liberty League award after being named Rookie of the Week once last season.

Hilary Koenigs, Freshman, Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Koenigs has had a resounding start to her career as Vassar's new setter. In a 2-0 week for the Brewers, Koenigs had 44 set assists (7.33 apg), including 28 against Manhattanville. In an all-around performance against Manhattanville, she contributed five kills without an attack error and added six digs. In her debut match against Rutgers-Newark she had 16 assists, a service ace and a block assist.