HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i track and field athlete Annett Wichmann and football player Solomon Elimimian were the recipients of the 2009 Jack Bonham Award winners in recognition of their outstanding performances on and off the playing field. The announcement was made Tuesday night at the annual Scholar-Athlete Dinner at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The award is given annually to the top male and female senior student-athlete who “best exemplifies the ideals for which Jack Bonham stood for in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, leadership and character.”
Elimimian, a linebacker from Los Angeles, Calif., finished his athletic career as the school's all-time leader in tackles with 434. As a senior, he was named the co-Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. A two-time all-WAC first team selection, Elimimian was nominee for both the Bronko Nagurski and Lombardi Awards.
Off the field, Elimimian was a three-time Academic all-WAC selection. He was actively involved in community service and participated in numerous church functions.
“Solly was the school's career leader in tackles, but that never mattered to him,” head coach Greg McMackin said. “He only cared about the team's success and while he was here, we won. In his four years, we won 35 games, made it to three bowl games, and finished either first or second in the WAC three times. He took it upon himself to make the defense better and he did everything he could to make sure it happened.”
Wichmann is arguably the most decorated track and field athlete in the school's history. She is a three-time All-American and school-record holder in both the heptathlon and pentathlon. Wichmann participated in six NCAA Championships and is a six-time WAC champion in the heptathlon and pentathlon.
The Jena, Germany native has also excelled in the classroom and she was twice honored as the team's top scholar athlete. She is a three-time Academic all-WAC honoree and two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American.
“Not only does Annett exemplify excellence both on the track and in the classroom but as a leader within the community,” head coach Carmyn James said. “She is hard working, highly motivated, always happy and has been a great ambassador and role model. No doubt she will continue to represent the University of Hawai'i proudly in all that she does.”
Considered the most prestigious award in UH athletics, the Jack Bonham Award is named for the late assistant athletics director who was killed in 1974 in a plane crash in America Samoa. Bonham was returning to the islands from New Zealand where he was on a recruiting trip at the British Commonwealth Games.
Previous Bonham Award Winners
Male Female
2008 Colt Brennan, football Kate Robinson, softball
2007 Mark Rodrigues, baseball Kanoe Kamana'o, volleyball,
Brittany Grice, basketball
2006 Alfred Reft, volleyball Allie Rowe, golf
2005 Chad Owens, football Jennifer Warnock, sailing
2004 Michael Kuebler, basketball Melissa Villaroman, volleyball
2003 Costas Theocharidis, volleyball Kate Judd, softball
2002 Predrag Savovic, basketball Molly O'Bryan, sailing
2001 Nerijus Puida, basketball Andrea Nishioka, water polo
2000 Dan Robinson, football Raylene Howard, basketball
1999 Michael Dartt, baseball B.J. Itoman, basketball
1998 Naveh Milo, volleyball Nani Cockett, basketball
1997 Carlton Oswalt, football Angelica Ljungquist, volleyball
1996 Clint Kuboyama, football Tania Brunton, basketball
1995 Jason Olive, volleyball Brandi Brooks, volleyball
1994 Jarinn Akana, basketball Melanie Azama, basketball
1993 Travis Sims, football Daniele Haia, softball
1992 Shawn Ching, football Heidi McElhanney, swimming
1991 Dane McArthur, football Patti Su'a, softball
1990 Jeff Ball, baseball Judy Mosley, basketball
1989 Amosa Amosa, football Sandra Budd, swimming
1988 Guy Farrow, swimming Reydan Ahuna, volleyball
1987 None Susan McDaniel, diving
1986 Michael Beazley, football Susan Hlavenka, volleyball
1985 Joe Lileikis, swimming Andrea Hawcridge, swimming
1984 None Rose Thomas, tennis
1983 Larry Goeas, football Joy Minaai, tennis
1982 Brandan Kop, golf Gillian Cooper, tennis
1981 Blane Gaison, football None
1980 Dean Dunn-Rankin, tennis Bonnie Gouveia, volleyball
1979 Ron Nomura, baseball Jane Zukaitis, tennis
1978 Harris Matsushima, football
1977 Gerald Ako, baseball; Alex Kaloi, football
1976 Marilyn Moniz, women's volleyball
1975 Gene Caranza, men's gymnastics
1974 Joey Estrella, baseball
Note: Only one award given the first five years
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