University of Denver men’s swimmer Kyle Milberg was honored with one of the University’s highest honors at the 2014 Pioneer Awards. The ceremony took place last week in Gates Concert Hall at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts.
Milberg was honored with the Chuck Cortese Undergraduate Trophy, which is housed within the athletic department and is presented annually to the graduating undergraduate student-athlete who has the best combined academic excellence and athletic achievement, as well as outstanding leadership.
“This honor is such a great acknowledgement of what Kyle has brought to our program,” said head swim coach Brian Schrader. “He has been such a high performer for us not only in the pool, but in the classroom as well. Kyle exemplifies what it means to be a great student-athlete.”
Milberg was also honored with the Outstanding Senior Chemistry Major award by the chemistry department. Milberg, who was a co-captain of the 2013–14 DU swimming and diving team, was named Summit League Male Swimmer of the week for the period of Jan. 28–Feb. 3 and Male Athlete of the Month for February. As male MVP of the Summit League Swimming and Diving Championships, Milberg helped his team to the 2014 conference title. He was voted a member of the 2014 Summit Academic All-League Team, has made the Dean’s List six times during his studies at DU and will graduate with degrees in mathematics and chemistry with a GPA of 3.92.
Joining Milberg as an award recipient was women’s basketball senior Alison Janecek, who was honored with the Managerial Leadership award, presented to a graduating senior demonstrating exceptional leadership. Janecek played 28 games for the Pioneers, averaging 6.9 points and 6.8 rebounds, while shooting 76.7 percent from the free-throw line.
“This is an incredible honor for Alison to achieve,” said women’s basketball head coach Kerry Cremeans. “During her career at DU, she has excelled on and off the court and has represented our team in a first-class manner. We are all so proud of her.”
Gymnastics senior Paige Tollefson was honored by the Daniels College of Business with the Outstanding Marketing Scholar award. The senior was a 2011 and 2012 DU Scholar Athlete of the Year. During the 2013–14 gymnastics season, she performed two exhibition routines on bars.
Men’s tennis senior Alex Clinkenbeard was one of 10 students honored as a Pioneer Award recipient. He will graduate with honors and a bachelor of science in biology. Along with his work tutoring his fellow students, Clinkenbeard was named the men’s tennis team’s MVP this season.
Men’s soccer senior Blair Jeralds was honored as an Outstanding Senior Student, while women’s swimmer Samantha Corea was honored as an Outstanding Junior Student.