19 September 2008 Rugby's Sam Whitelock named Lincoln University Sports Person of the Year

 

Canterbury NPC squad member Sam Whitelock, a New Zealand representative player in two World Rugby Championships - the under-19 tournament in Ireland in 2007 and the inaugural World Junior Championship in Wales this year - is Lincoln University's Sports Person of the Year. 

Sam, a Sports Scholar at Lincoln University in the first year of a Bachelor of Science degree, grew up in a farming family in the Manawatu and attended Feilding High School where he captained the 1st XV. He's the son of a NZ Colts representative, grandson of an All Black, and brother of two provincial representatives, so has a great rugby pedigree.

Sam, who plays at lock, won the Sports Person of the Year award from a field of nine at the 2008 Lincoln University Awards held on the campus on 17 September.

Awards ceremony MC Malcolm Ellis said that being part of a World Cup winning team  -  the New Zealanders won the World Junior Tournament  -  tipped the decision Sam's way in a competitive field of achievers from several sports.

It was a winning night for Sam on three fronts  -  he also collected the Rugby Sports Scholarship Student of the Year Award and a Lincoln University Rugby Blue.

Those awarded Lincoln University Blues for sporting achievement were  -
Kendra Cocksedge, women's rugby; Nicholas McLennan, James Paterson, Geoffrey Smith  
Sam Whitelock, all rugby; Laura Hayes, netball umpiring; Dale Harrop, ice hockey (the youngest member of the New Zealand Ice Hockey Team); Michael Peacock, cricket; and Anna Wetherall, hockey.

Gold Awards, for outstanding contributions to Lincoln University club, cultural or community affairs, were presented to  -

Amphun Chaiboonchoe, Thai Club; Jessica Gardyne, Christian Fellowship; Ivy Harper, Te Awhioraki; Hannah Presswood, Food Appreciation Club;  Lynne Robertson, Burwood Garden Club; Lori Strickert and Graham Strickert, Postgraduate Conference; Eapen Thomas, Malaysian Students' Society.

The Alpine Club Award for outstanding contributions was made to club president Steele Taylor.

Awards for the top Sports Scholarship students went to  -
Chris Goldsbury, hockey; Laura Hayes, netball; Kristian Hutton, soccer; Martin Kain, cricket; Natalia Sydorenko, golf; Sam Whitelock, rugby.

Awards to the most promising future leaders from among the Future Leaders Scholarship holders went to  -
Chelsea Mudge (first year), Katherine Page (second year), Katie Collins (third year).

Green Awards for Teaching and Support Excellence were made to  -
Sarah Currie, Alumni Association Manager, Support Person of the Year; Dr Warwick Scott, Teacher of the Year, Agriculture and Life Sciences Division; Dr Rob Cruickshank, Teacher of the Year, Bio-Protection and Ecology Division; Professor Ken Hughey, Teacher of the Year, Environment, Society and Design Division; Associate Professor Sidney Weil, Teacher of the Year, Commerce Division.

A special Alumni Association award of Cricket Blues was made to all the members of the 1968 Lincoln College 1st Cricket XI. These players survived the sinking of the inter-island ferry Wahine while on their way to a New Zealand Universities Easter Tournament in Palmerston North.