Hall, Nixon, Wood Win EIU Senior Awards

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois Athletics hosted its Honors Banquet on Wednesday night as current student-athletes were recognized for both their academic success and athletic success over the past year.  In addition the members of the 2013 senior class were awarded their senior watches.

Dominique Hall, Ta'Kenya Nixon and Abby Wood were selected as seniors earning individual awards as they won the Senior Male & Female Athlete of the Year along with the Athletic Directors Award.  Twelve graduating seniors were presented with the Presidential Award which recognizes athletes that will graduate with between a 3.75 and 4.00 GPA and have been multiple year members of their selected sport.

Hall was named the Senior Male Athlete of the Year.  The Belvidere, Ill., native is a member of the EIU men's track team and has been a multiple time All-OVC honoree in the hurdles.  He has helped EIU capture seven straight indoor and outdoor conference track championships and is a two-time NCAA Regional qualifier in the 110m hurdles.

Nixon was named the Senior Female Athlete of the Year.  The Michigan City, Ind., native is a member of the EIU women's basketball team where she earned first team All-OVC honors all four seasons.  She became the program's all-time leading scorer as she helped lead the team into the second round of the Women's NIT this year, EIU's fourth straight post-season appearance with her on the roster.

Wood was named the winner of the Athletic Director's Award which is presented to a senior student-athlete that excels in the areas of academics, community service and athletics.  Wood is a four-year member of the softball team with Shelbyville, Ind., native helping the team win the regular season OVC title in 2011.  Wood is active as a member of SAAC and spear heads several community service projects.  She was recognized as a Presidential Award winner with a cumulative GPA over 3.75.

The twelve graduating seniors that were honored with the Presidential Award (Graduating Senior with cumulative 3.75-4.00 GPA) include: Joe Ciliak (Men's Swimming – Naperville, Ill.); Dan Enge (Men's Swimming – Edmond, Okla.); Chacour Koop (Men's Swimming – Newton, Kan.); Kristen Laird (Women's Tennis – Bloomington, Ill.); Jill MacEachen (Women's Track – Calgary, Alberta); Doug Mateas (Men's Track – Winfield, Ill.); Erika Ramos (Women's Track – Hoopeston, Ill.); Mitch Reab (Football – Forestville, Calif.); Christian Rhoten (Men's Swimming – Edwardsville); Abigail Schmitz (Women's Track – Northbrook, Ill.); Britney Whitehead (Women's Track – Elgin, Ill.); Abby Wood (Softball – Shelbyville, Ind.).