May 4, 2009

Photo Gallery

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- East Carolina University honored the academic achievements of its outstanding student-athletes at the 2009 PCS Phosphate Breakfast of Champions at the Murphy Center Saturday morning. PCS Phosphate sponsored the even for the 20th year.

Jessica Johnson of the softball team was recognized as the Most Outstanding Female Scholar-Athlete and Hunter Mehaffey of the men's swimming team was named the Most Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete.

A four-year letterman from Niguel, Calif., Johnson ranks among the top 10 in school history in home runs, RBIs, walks and hits. A former first-team All-Conference USA selection, Johnson has posted all-conference caliber numbers this season leading the Pirates in hitting (.356), home runs (8) and RBIs (37).

She has maintained a 3.74 grade point average (GPA) in the College of Human Ecology's merchandising program. Johnson has received a variety of academic awards including being named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team as well as being the recipient of the 2008 College of Human Ecology Outstanding Student Award.

"Playing at ECU has taught me that things are not supposed to be given, instead they must be earned," said Johnson. "By taking ownership of my own responsibilities in projects, in showing up for every class and getting good grades, I've been able to reach the top of my class."

Mehaffey, a senior from Clyde, N.C., is one of the fastest swimmers in ECU history. He owns the second-fastest time in ECU history in the 200-yard backstroke and fifth-fastest mark in the 100-yard backstroke. He earned All-Conference USA honors this season as a member of the 400-medley relay team. As a sophomore in 2007 he was named ECU's Most Outstanding Swimmer.

In the classroom, Mehaffey has maintained a 3.79 GPA as a biology major. Mehaffey has earned membership into the Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Beta Beta National Honor Society. This coming fall he will continue his studies at the Brody School of Medicine where he has been accepted through the highly competitive MD in seven program.

"East Carolina athletics has taught me to take pride in my name and my accomplishments," said Mehaffey. "Representing the University has given me the confidence to face new challenges and the ability to conquer any obstacles that stand between me and my goals."

Several special awards were presented during Saturday's program. The Kristi Overton Female Scholar-Athlete Award was presented to softball's Caitlin Wainright while baseball's Stephen Batts received the Walter and Marie Williams "Spirit of the East" Post-Eligibility Scholarship Award. The Pat Draughon Post-Graduate Scholarship Award went to baseball's Brandon Henderson, and softball player Sarah Bibee received the Pirate Service and Leadership Post-Graduate Scholarship Award.

During the Breakfast of Champions event, 17 ECU student-athletes were named to the PCS Phosphates All-Academic Team for 2009: Spencer Barrick (Men's Track), Kristen Billings (Women's Golf), Nicholas Boerio (Men's Cross Country), Blake Briese (Men's Swimming), Meghan Horne (Women's Track), Gabriela Husarova (Women's Basketball), Markus Leandersson (Men's Golf), Samantha Lichtner (Women's Cross Country), Nicole Moore (Women's Soccer), Katie Prast (Volleyball), Greyson Sargent (Men's Basketball), Drew Schieber (Baseball), Joseph Sloan (Football), Kelly Swain (Women's Swimming), Kaui Tom (Softball), Brooke Walter (Women's Tennis) and Stephen Whitwell (Men's Tennis).