University of North Carolina Athletics
Byers, Wilkinson Receive Multiple Awards At UNC Awards Night
April 22, 2002 | Women's Lacrosse
April 22, 2002
CHAPEL HILL - Wrestler Brad Byers and women's lacrosse defender Porter Wilkinson each won multiple awards for academics and community service at the University of North Carolina's annual all-sports dinner held Monday evening in the Smith Center.
yers, a senior from Hudson, Ohio, finished third this year at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships at 141 pounds. Byers received the Jim Tatum Award, the Mildred McCaskill Award and an ACC Top Six Award for Service. Byers is on the executive board of ACT (Athletes Coming Together) and is Carolina's representative to the ACC on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. Byers has given numerous hours of his time to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community, especially at UNC Hospital.
The Tatum Award, named for former UNC football coach Jim Tatum, is given to the UNC student-athlete who has performed with distinction in his or her sport and has contributed to the University community through outreach activities. The McCaskill Award goes to a senior student-athlete who demonstrates excellence in athletics, scholarship and service to the community. The ACC Top Six Awards are given annually by the ACC to six student-athletes at each ACC institution who have demonstrated dedication and commitment to community service and outreach programs.
Wilkinson, a senior from Charlottesville, Va., is a two-time All-America and three-time All-ACC standout. She helped lead the Tar Heels to their first-ever ACC women's lacrosse title last weekend in Durham. Wilkinson is the recipient of the ACC Scholar-Athlete Award, which is given to one male and one female from each ACC school who demonstrate excellence in academics and athletics. Wilkinson also is Carolina's recipient of the ACC's Weaver-James-Corrigan postgraduate scholarship.
Dash Victor, a senior middle distance runner from Albuquerque, N.M., won the men's ACC Scholar-Athlete Award.
Joining Byers as ACC Top Six Award for Service recipients are Jordan Walker (women's soccer player from Richardson, Texas), Allison Lentz (track & field athlete from Pisgah Forest, N.C.), Melissa Fiss (swimmer from Matthews, N.C.), Anthony Perkins (defensive tackle from Holly Springs, N.C.) and Jessica Claire Wilson (women's lacrosse player from Bala Cynwyd, Pa.).
Kim Timberlake, a senior distance runner from Raleigh, also won the McCaskill Award for excellence in athletics, scholarship and service to the community. Timberlake earned All-ACC honors in both cross country and outdoor track.
Carolina won four ACC championships this past weekend in women's lacrosse, men's and women's tennis and women's outdoor track and field. The Tar Heels have won seven ACC championships this year. This is the 15th consecutive year in which Carolina has won more ACC titles than any other school.
