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Gabriela Marginean, Ryan Hluschak and Kate Hynes recieved the Philedelphia Inquirer All-Area Performer of the Year award for women's basketball, wrestling and diving respectively. This is the first time three Drexel student athletes have been awarded the honor in the same season.

Trio of Drexel athletes win Inquirer Academic Awards

By: Bryan Ruff

Posted: 4/25/08

Three Drexel student athletes were recognized April 20 by The Philadelphia Inquirer as Academic All-Area performers of the year.

Senior wrestler Ryan Hluschak, sophomore Gabriela Marginean of the women's basketball and tennis teams and junior diver Kate Hynes were each given the award for their respective sports, making it the first time that Drexel University has had three of its student-athletes receive the award in the same season.

It was great news for all three players and their coaches, and was especially welcomed by the athletic department and those who work in the Achieve Center, an academic resource for Drexel student athletes.

Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Student Resources, Rebecca Weidensaul, expressed her feelings about the achievements of three of her brightest student athletes.

"It's a dream when this stuff happens," Weidensaul said. "You wake up to read the Sunday paper, grab the sports section and there is a full page on three of your student athletes!"

Hluschak, who finished his career as a co-captain on the wrestling team and made three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances, said he was proud of his achievement.

"It's great to be recognized," Hluschak said.

The 157-pounder broke Drexel's all-time record for career wins. In his last season, Hluschak carried a 32-7 record and finished runner-up at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships.

But it is not just his wrestling that has gained him respect with his teammates and coach.

"If you met him you would not realize to what extent he is capable of athletically, and you certainly wouldn't realize to what extent he is capable academically," Drexel wrestling head coach Jack Childs said.

Hluschak has accumulated a 3.36 GPA in his academic career at Drexel while majoring in business administration. Being named CAA's Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second straight season and Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area performer of the year capped off Hluschak's fantastic resume at Drexel.

Marginean, a dual-sport athlete, has the pressure of academics and the schedule of not one, but two varsity sports to deal with.

"I try to stay organized and not to waste time," Marginean said.

Marginean, a sport management major with a GPA of 3.09, led Drexel women's basketball in scoring and rebounding this year with averages of 19.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. She also was ranked first in the nation in free-throw percentage, shooting at a 91.4 percent clip from the stripe.

With plenty of basketball and tennis to keep her busy, Marginean uses the resources of the Achieve Center to help her keep her schedule organized and her academics on track.

"I have meetings with Rebecca [Weidensaul] every week," Marginean said. "They [the Achieve Center Staff] are very friendly and ready to help with anything."

While rather shy and reserved in person, Marginean has no problem making herself stand out on the court. She won the CAA Rookie of the Year award in 2006-07, CAA player of the week twice this season and CAA First Team All-Conference. As a 2007 Scholar athlete last year and the Philadelphia Inquirer award recipient for her sport this year, Marginean looks set to continue her outstanding performance in the classroom.

Hynes made Drexel history this year on the diving board as she became the first-ever women's swimming and diving athlete to receive All-American honors, finishing 13th on the three-meter board and 20th on the one-meter board at NCAA Championships this year. Hynes had a superb junior season that included a sweep at the NCAA Diving Zone Regional, an undefeated record in dual meets all winter and her third straight conference championship in both boards taken by Hynes this 2007-08 season.

"I'm really happy," Hynes said of being honored. "It's always nice to get recognized for your hard work."

Hynes maintains an excellent balance of schoolwork and athletics with a 3.81 GPA as a business administration major.

"They [diving and business] are the two priorities in my life," she said. "Both are amazing. I really try and put the same effort into both."

Head diving coach Larry May attributes Hynes' success in diving and schoolwork to her excellent daily attitude.

"She is what you want everyone to be - proactive," May said. "She loves to compete and competition is not just in athletics."

It is this competitive nature, winning attitude and drive that has set these three Drexel student-athletes apart from their peers.

"These three individuals are incredibly talented and dedicated," Weidensaul said. "Their lifestyle has put them where they are today."