Lock Haven's Cadie Kiser Receives PSAC Women's Sportsmanship Award
Courtesy of Lock Haven Sports Information
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- Cadie Kiser has been selected as the winner of the 2018-19 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Individual Female Sportsmanship Award. Kiser, a junior, is a standout on the Lock Haven University cross country and track & field teams.
Kiser has been selected as the winner based on her actions at the 2018-19 PSAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. Her selfless acts at last year's championship event help define sportsmanship across the PSAC.
The PSAC Sportsmanship Award was initiated in the 2008-09 academic year and is given annually to one male and one female student-athlete that best exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship, and who has demonstrated the values of respect and integrity through a specific action ideally directed toward an opponent. Nominees must also have represented his/her institution in a positive way during competition and must have demonstrated good citizenship outside of competition by fostering a good public image.
The PSAC Sportsmanship Award was implemented by the PSAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Nominees are submitted by PSAC institutions and voted on by the SAAC.
Kiser is joined by the Kutztown University women's basketball team, which is also being awarded for its sportsmanship. This year's individual male award winner is Derrick Ellis, Jr. from the Mercyhurst University men's basketball team. The Golden Bears women's basketball team and Ellis will be honored on their respective campuses in the near future.
On February 23, 2019, at the 2019 PSAC Indoor Championships Kiser finished second in the mile, before placing fourth in the 3,000-meter run. The pair of top-four finishes scored big points for the Bald Eagles, but it was in the 3,000-meter championship race where she made an even bigger impact with a small gesture that most probably never noticed.
The nominator – a female track & field student-athlete from Shippensburg – said, Cadie was encouraging her and saying really positive things to her throughout the race.
"It's as if she was my own teammate," the nomination said.
The nomination went on to credit Cadie's unselfish nature and made note of what her small gesture meant during a championship race.
"This is the Haven way," said distance coach
Aaron Russell. "We emphasize communication with our teammates, but sometimes communicating with opponents is just as important. I am proud of Cadie and her actions that day. She continues to be a positive role model for our conference of athletes."
In 2016-17, the LHU men's and women's cross country teams won the PSAC Sportsmanship awards, and back in 2014-15 LHU track & field's Bobby Shorthouse won the male individual award.
CLICK HERE for more information on the PSAC Sportsmanship Award and a full list of previous winners.