The Peddie School Athletic Department held its 22nd annual Winter Sports Banquet in the Finn M.W. Caspersen Campus Center dining hall. The gathering recognized the hard work and sacrifices of student-athletes, coaches and teams throughout the 2018-2019 winter campaign. Varsity coaches stepped to the podium and presented awards for leadership, sportsmanship and excellence to participants in basketball, track, swimming and wrestling. Congratulations to the following award winners:

Boys Basketball (Coach Joe Rulewich)

• John Plant Award: Latrell Reid ’19
  • Donated by the Class of 1926 in honor of the late John D. Plant, basketball coach and director of athletics from 1906 to 1926, this trophy is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the Peddie spirit in cooperation, sportsmanship and skill.
• Alfred W. Lozier Basketball Award: Gabriel Millstein ’19
  • Named in honor of the winningest, longest-tenured basketball coach in the history of The Peddie School, this trophy is awarded to the graduating member of the boys basketball team who, during each of his years at Peddie, has made the greatest contribution to the basketball program.

Girls Basketball (Coach Sarah Crider Venanzi)

• Most Valuable Player Award: Katherine Rodriguez ’19
  • This trophy is given to the player who has demonstrated excellence and mastery of the game.
• Coach’s Award: Sarah DiLuzio ’19
  • This trophy is given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, good citizenship, loyalty and commitment, and has used these qualities to contribute to the success of the girls’ basketball program.

Swimming (Coach Greg Wriede ’95)

• Robert I. Ballou Memorial Trophy: Evan Farrow ’19 and Inez Amer ’21
  • Given in memory of Robert I. Ballou, Jr., coach of swimming at The Peddie School from 1966 to 1973, this award is presented to one male and one female member of the swimming team who have exhibited the camaraderie, character, loyalty, sportsmanship and attitude which best typify the philosophy of athletics and life of Coach Ballou.
• Clinton I. Sprout Swimming Cup: RC Ike ’19 and Aviva Muñoz ’19
  • Retained by The Peddie School with an individual trophy is presented to each winner, this award was donated by five members of the 1954 swimming team in honor of Clinton I. Sprout, coach of swimming for 35 years. It is awarded to one male and one female swimmer who have exhibited outstanding ability, loyalty and sportsmanship.
• 1954 Team Trophy: Avery Best ’21
  • Awarded to that member of the team who has made the greatest improvement in swimming during the year.
• Katherine H. Nicholson Award: Gabriela Youngken ’19
  • Given in memory of the late Katherine H. Nicholson, coach of swimming at The Peddie School from 2007 until her passing in 2018, this award is presented to the member of the swimming team who demonstrates a strong sense of compassion, encouragement and an overall nurturing spirit that honors the life of a beloved coach.

Wrestling (Coach Austin Frank)

• John Jones Award: Cameron Smith ’19
  • Given by the Team of 1970-71, this award is presented to the most improved wrestler.
• Robert L. Tifft Wrestling Trophy: Michael Tyle ’19
  • Given by the Class of 1953 in honor of Robert L. Tifft, coach of wrestling, this award is  to the season's outstanding wrestler.

Indoor Track (Coach Tim Brennan)

• Robert Lawson Leadership Award: Dennis Zhang ’20 and Imani Ermeus ’20
  • Given by the Track Team of 1971, this award is presented to one member of the boys and girls track teams for outstanding performance and attitude.
• Coach’s Award: Jonron Kogawa ’19 and Gianna Zanghi ’20
  • This award is presented to one male and one female athlete who best exemplify sportsmanship, good citizenship, loyalty and commitment and have used these qualities to contribute to the success of the track team.