PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University Athletics honored its senior student-athletes at the 35th Annual Senior Recognition Luncheon Friday afternoon at the Bohler Athletic Complex.
 
The luncheon highlighted the academic and athletic contributions of this year's senior class of Cougar student-athletes.
 
The Pac-12 Conference Tom Hansen Conference Medal recipients are Nicole Hare (Rowing) and Josh Hawkinson (Men's Basketball). The conference medal winners are those who best reflect the greatest combination of performance and achievement in athletics, scholarship and leadership, as selected by the athletic director and senior administrative staff.
 
Nineteen student-athletes were recognized for the Senior Excellence in Academics Award, given to seniors who have earned a minimum of 90 credits with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, been members of the WSU Athletics All-Academic Team each semester, enrolled at WSU for at least two years, and excelled in their degree program and sport program. This year's recipients are Hailey Bethune (Volleyball), Mihaela-Teodora Berindei (Rowing), Kristine Felix (Women's Track & Field), Alexys Garcia (Women's Track & Field), Nicole Hare, (Rowing), Jessi Howe (Rowing), Jackson Haselnus (Men's Track & Field), McKenna Hogan (Women's Track & Field), Hailey Johnson (Swimming), Kaitlyn Johnson (Soccer), Anden Lewis (Men's Track & Field), Steffie Pavey (Women's Track & Field), Brendan Rexus (Men's Track & Field), Anna Rosen (Swimming), Lianna Simms (Soccer), Alex Simpson (Men's Track & Field), Matthew Swanson (Men's Track & Field), Alexis Thode (Soccer), Susie White (Soccer).
 
The Pac-12 Conference Postgraduate Scholarship recipients are Matthew Swanson (Men's Track & Field) and Alexis Thode (Soccer). The scholarships are awarded to two male and two female student-athletes at each Pac-12 school who have excelled academically and athletically and intend to pursue a graduate degree.
 
The Cougar Pride Trophy is awarded to one male and one female senior who has maintained over a 3.00 cumulative GPA and has displayed exceptional academic, athletic and outstanding personal qualities. This year's award winners are Mihaela-Teodora Berindei (Rowing) and Matthew Swanson (Men's Track & Field).
 
Ivana Kmetovska (Women's Basketball) and Riley Sorenson (Football) were presented the Athletic Director's Star Performer Award, given to the male and female senior student-athlete who bests reflect a commitment to academic improvement leading to successful completion of their degree.
 
A pair of seniors were presented the Steve Gleason Community Service and Leadership Award, given to those who have demonstrated strong citizenship skills and leadership qualities within their team and throughout the athletic department and community. This year Ian Markham (Men's Track & Field) and Nicolle Marlow (Soccer) were recognized.
 
The Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) True Cougar Award was presented to Kiana Davis (Women's Track & Field) and John Thompson (Football). This award is presented to a senior student-athlete who started their WSU careers as non-scholarship student-athletes, and who, to their respective teams, define leadership, commitment to excellence and Cougar Pride.
 
The Damien Ficek Athletic Training Award was presented to one male and female senior student-athlete who is humble, hard working in the training room and has overcome physical and/or other personal challenges to succeed at WSU. The award is presented in memory of former WSU athletic training student Damien Ficek, whose life came to an end in 2004 while serving his country in Iraq. This year's award winners are Anna Rosen (Swimming) and Riley Sorenson (Football).
 
The Rob Oviatt Strength and Conditioning Award is presented to one male and one female senior student-athlete who possess a great commitment to training, are accountable to his/her workout, led by example and show an overall improvement in the weight room. Honoring the work ethic and training ideals of former WSU Director of Physical Development Rob Oviatt. This year's recipients are Brittany Brooks (Rowing) and Ike Iroegbu (Men's Basketball).
 
Nicole Hare (Rowing) and Josh Hawkinson (Men's Basketball) were named as recipients of the Beulah M. Blankenship Outstanding Student-Athlete Award, given to acknowledge personal achievements of a senior male and female student-athlete at WSU. The award recognizes contributions to the highest values of athletic expression by sportsmanship, dedication and positive regard for others.

The WSU Alumni Association Big Ten Senior Award recognizes the most qualified five men and five women from across the campus, each representing a specific aspect of the college experience. The categories are: academics, athletics, campus involvement, community service and visual/performing arts. This year's athletics recipients are River Cracraft (Football) and Susie White (Soccer).
 
The Cougar Athletics Leadership Award recognizes the senior student-athletes who have impacted a positive change within his/her sport, the athletics department, Washington State campus, at the conference and/or national level, as well as the greater Pullman community. The recipient of the Cougar Athletics Leadership Award has been a consistent voice while representing the student-athlete experience at WSU. The recipients have also demonstrated personal growth and development through active participation in student-athlete development programming such as: the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, leadership and peer academic counseling and mentoring programs, and community engagement activities. This year's recipients are Nick Mandell (Men's Golf) and Lianna Simms (Soccer).
 
Graduation at Washington State takes place Saturday, May 6.