2020 aCATemy Awards -Overcoming Adversity
Overcoming Adversity Award Nominees
Keeley Copper, Women's Soccer
-From Head Coach Adam Denton:
"Her mental toughness was shown in her determination when she received a season-halting concussion and came back to impact the team’s run in the Atlantic-10 conference even after such an intense injury. She missed weeks and multiple games after sustaining a concussion in the middle of our non-conference games, where she had been a starter and consistent presence in one of the most difficult positions to play as a freshman – defense. Although it would have been easy for Keeley to stay stuck lamenting about how she was missing practices and games during her first season as a Wildcat, Keeley used the energy that she could not invest on the field during her injury and put it into developing the culture within the team, being a leader from the sideline, and continuing to learn our systems and game plans. This anecdote is one that displays Keeley’s character: she does not give up even when her circumstances are difficult. What could have been seen as a setback was actually and opportunity that she took step forward in her leadership and impact on the team. She ended the year with impressive accomplishments: consistent starter in the 2nd best defense in the A-10, Compiled over 1,400 minutes on the field as a freshman, played in every game she was medically eligible and played in every minute of A-10 play, and scored a defining goal, even as a defender, against Duquesne in A-10 play."
Mike Jones, Men's Basketball
-Returned from ACL injury last year to become a significant contributor and starter for the Men's Basketball team.
-Injured elbow in the middle of the season, but came back to play significant minutes towards the ends of the conference season as the team started to hit its stride.
Nicole Krykanov, Women's Tennis
From Head Coach Susanne Depka:
"Nicole tore her ACL her freshman year and was unable to return until the spring of her sophomore year. She worked hard to strengthen her knee and improve her strength and conditioning in all areas. Last season, she contributed to the doubles lineup and ended at 11-4 in her first time competing in college. This year was her first time ever competing in the fall season, finishing with a 6-4 record in singles and 9-4 in doubles. She was consistently in our doubles lineup this spring and was 6-5. She overcame a lot of adversity not only physically but mentally. She worked so hard on her recovery that once she was back on the court consistently, she never had problems with her knee and never missed a practice or competition. This injury was a tough one to come back from mentally as well, always having the vision of how the injury occurred in the back of her mind. She pushed through this not only for herself, but for her team and has had a large impact on our program ever since. She brings amazing, positive energy to all our practices ad matches and our program would not be where it is today without her presence."
Izzy Lozano, Lacrosse
From Head Coach Kim Wayne:
"Izzy was in a terrible skiing accident in January 2019. Since the accident, she’s had to undergo numerous surgeries and went from the ICU back to the Lacrosse field in less than a year and even earned a starting sport during her junior campaign." See video here
Stephen Shank, Football
From Head Coach Scott Abell:
"Stephen has fought through numerous injuries throughout his career. His junior year, he saw his season end early due to injury but again battled back and became a regular contributor on special teams this past season. His leadership, consistency, and work-ethic are a big reason we saw our highest win total in over a decade."
Shelby Stanley, Women's Swimming
From Head Coach John Young:
"After an outstanding start to her freshman season, Shelby wasn’t feeling good. After a number of alternatives were eliminated, she tested positive for mono. She’d miss a month of training, at least, and her momentum would be gone. The staff was hopeful that she would return with enough time to get back in shape for the A-10 Championship. She blew any worries away when three weeks after her return to practice, she broke the college record in the 200 IM. Though that record was subsequently broken, she finished the season as the A-10 Most Outstanding Rookie Performer (first in Davidson history). Despite mono, she was four times A-10 Rookie of the Week and currently holds the Davidson Record in three events, the 200 Butterfly, 800 Freestyle Relay, and 200 Medley Relay."
Keeley Copper, Women's Soccer
-From Head Coach Adam Denton:
"Her mental toughness was shown in her determination when she received a season-halting concussion and came back to impact the team’s run in the Atlantic-10 conference even after such an intense injury. She missed weeks and multiple games after sustaining a concussion in the middle of our non-conference games, where she had been a starter and consistent presence in one of the most difficult positions to play as a freshman – defense. Although it would have been easy for Keeley to stay stuck lamenting about how she was missing practices and games during her first season as a Wildcat, Keeley used the energy that she could not invest on the field during her injury and put it into developing the culture within the team, being a leader from the sideline, and continuing to learn our systems and game plans. This anecdote is one that displays Keeley’s character: she does not give up even when her circumstances are difficult. What could have been seen as a setback was actually and opportunity that she took step forward in her leadership and impact on the team. She ended the year with impressive accomplishments: consistent starter in the 2nd best defense in the A-10, Compiled over 1,400 minutes on the field as a freshman, played in every game she was medically eligible and played in every minute of A-10 play, and scored a defining goal, even as a defender, against Duquesne in A-10 play."
Mike Jones, Men's Basketball
-Returned from ACL injury last year to become a significant contributor and starter for the Men's Basketball team.
-Injured elbow in the middle of the season, but came back to play significant minutes towards the ends of the conference season as the team started to hit its stride.
Nicole Krykanov, Women's Tennis
From Head Coach Susanne Depka:
"Nicole tore her ACL her freshman year and was unable to return until the spring of her sophomore year. She worked hard to strengthen her knee and improve her strength and conditioning in all areas. Last season, she contributed to the doubles lineup and ended at 11-4 in her first time competing in college. This year was her first time ever competing in the fall season, finishing with a 6-4 record in singles and 9-4 in doubles. She was consistently in our doubles lineup this spring and was 6-5. She overcame a lot of adversity not only physically but mentally. She worked so hard on her recovery that once she was back on the court consistently, she never had problems with her knee and never missed a practice or competition. This injury was a tough one to come back from mentally as well, always having the vision of how the injury occurred in the back of her mind. She pushed through this not only for herself, but for her team and has had a large impact on our program ever since. She brings amazing, positive energy to all our practices ad matches and our program would not be where it is today without her presence."
Izzy Lozano, Lacrosse
From Head Coach Kim Wayne:
"Izzy was in a terrible skiing accident in January 2019. Since the accident, she’s had to undergo numerous surgeries and went from the ICU back to the Lacrosse field in less than a year and even earned a starting sport during her junior campaign." See video here
Stephen Shank, Football
From Head Coach Scott Abell:
"Stephen has fought through numerous injuries throughout his career. His junior year, he saw his season end early due to injury but again battled back and became a regular contributor on special teams this past season. His leadership, consistency, and work-ethic are a big reason we saw our highest win total in over a decade."
Shelby Stanley, Women's Swimming
From Head Coach John Young:
"After an outstanding start to her freshman season, Shelby wasn’t feeling good. After a number of alternatives were eliminated, she tested positive for mono. She’d miss a month of training, at least, and her momentum would be gone. The staff was hopeful that she would return with enough time to get back in shape for the A-10 Championship. She blew any worries away when three weeks after her return to practice, she broke the college record in the 200 IM. Though that record was subsequently broken, she finished the season as the A-10 Most Outstanding Rookie Performer (first in Davidson history). Despite mono, she was four times A-10 Rookie of the Week and currently holds the Davidson Record in three events, the 200 Butterfly, 800 Freestyle Relay, and 200 Medley Relay."
