Naugatuck College Student Up For Major Award

From Southern CT University: Christine Volz (Cincinnati, Ohio) of the women's track and field team and Ryne Griesenauer (Naugatuck, Conn.) of the football squad have each been recognized as Southern Connecticut State University's nominees for two major year-end awards from the Northeast-10 Conference. Volz has been nominated for the league's Woman of the Year and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year laurels, while Griesenauer has been nominated for the league's Man of the Year and Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. The winners for all awards will be announced at the NE10 year-end banquet on June 4 in Garden City, N.Y.Volz, who was recognized as the athletic department's Scholar-Athlete of the Year last month, has thrived athletically, academically and within the community over the course of her time as an Owl. She began her collegiate career as a member of the Owls' gymnastics team and was a USA Gymnastics National Championships qualifier before suffering a career-ending injury.From there, Volz joined the track and field squad and earned All-America, All-Region and All-New England honors during the 2016-17 academic year. She was also a New England champion as a part of the 4x400 relay.Academically, Volz was also named an Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America last year and has also been recognized by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and the Division II Athletic Directors Association for exceptional academic prowess, in addition to selections to both the NE10 Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Teams.She was also previously nominated for the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Inspiration Award and was tabbed as the SCSU athletic department's Community Service Award recipient in 2015. During the course of her collegiate career, she has volunteered with an array of outreach efforts both locally and globally.

Her volunteer work included trips to Cuba and Kenya, in addition to efforts here in Connecticut and in her native Ohio.Griesenauer, who was tabbed as the athletic department's Male Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year last month, has also thrived in all facets during his time at Southern. On the field, he earned All-Conference and All-ECAC honors following a stellar senior season.Academically, Griesenauer was a three-time NE10 Football All-Academic Team selection and a Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award recipient. He was also named a Campbell Trophy Award semifinalist by the National Football Foundation last fall.Griesenauer has also played an integral role in the football team's community outreach efforts over the past four years. He was involved with initiatives such as the "Be The Match" drive to support the National Bone Marrow Registry, campus Move-In Day and the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Spring cleanup.

Image Via Southern CT University