BY KELLIE TAYLOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Eleven local girls and women were recently recognized for their achievements this past year at the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Women's Sports Association Girls' and Women's Sports and Fitness Awards Ceremony:
SportsGirl of the Year Award - Katie Tharp, an eighth grader at Indian Hill Middle School received this award for excelling in volleyball, basketball and track as well as in the classroom.
SportsWoman of the Year Award - Danielle Borgman, a soccer Parade Magazine All-American and senior at McAuley high school, received this award for her achievements. Borgman has signed a national letter of intent to attend and play soccer at national champion, University of North Carolina.
College SportsWoman of the Year Award - As senior forward on Xavier's women's soccer team, Amanda Gruber lead the nation in scoring and goals scored (Division I). Gruber was also named to Xavier's Dean's List in the Summer of 1997.
Master's SportsWoman of the Year Award - This award went to Marcia Ferguson, the 1997 Power House Classic Body Building Champion, World Gym Body Building Champion and Ms. Ohio Body Building Champion.
Mentally or Physically Challenged SportsWoman of the Year Award - Melinda Schwarm, a senior at Breyer School, won this award after winning four gold medals at the 1997 Special Olympics Gymnastics Meet. Melinda also competes in soccer, volleyball, softball, cheerleading and bowling.
Donna de Varona Spirit of Sport Award - Maggie Dunn, a senior at McNicholas High School, earned nine letters after participating in basketball, track and cross country. Dunn is ranked ninth in her class.
Wilma Rudolph Courage Award - This award went to Michelle Moss (Boone County) who fought back from the death of her brother, Joshua, and three knee surgeries to receive Enquirer Player of the Year honors this year in soccer.
Women's Sports Business of the Year - Sports Express received this award for its dedication to the volleyball community.
Coach of the Year Award - Miami University volleyball coach Carolyn Condit received this award after leading her team to the Mid-American Conference title and 23-8 record.
Tina R. Siegel Memorial Schlorship - Cassie Robinson, a senior at Ryle High School, received this award after scoring her 1,000 point in basketball and breaking the school's all-time leading scoring record.
Lifetime Service Award - Linda Brown, athletic director at Lakota East High School, has been a leader in the fair treatment of women's sports for over 25 years, winning her this award.
BASKETBALL:
UC women's basketball players were recently honored for their accomplishments at this year's team awards banquet.
Junior Doris Scott (Mt. Healthy) was named team outstanding player and best offensive player; Sophomore Madinah Slaise earned sixth-man and co-defensive player awards; Junior Amber Stocks earned co-defensive player award; Freshman Tamara Douglass was named most improved player.
SOCCER:
Lauren Garber, a senior at Sycamore High School, has signed a letter of intent to play soccer at Xavier University. Garber earned all-city and all-Greater Miami Conference honors.
