CIRCLEVILLE, OH — As the 2022 fall season comes to a close, fall athletes were awarded for their performances in and out of competitions. The River States Conference awarded five Trailblazers all-conference awards. Many athletes were also recognized for their academic performances with the Scholar-Athlete awards and one athlete from each team was given the NAIA Champion of Character award.
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Drake Dickerson - Cross Country
Dickerson was awarded for his record-breaking performance in the 2022 cross country season. He broke his own school record twice and led the Trailblazers to their first No. 1 ranking in program history. The team finished third in the RSC Championship meet where Dickerson finished second, clinching his fourth NAIA National Cross Country Meet appearance. Dickerson will race in the National Meet this Friday, Nov. 18 at 8:30 a.m.
Madison Blickenstaff - Volleyball
Blickenstaff led her team to their first conference tournament berth in five years in the 2022 season. In 25 matches she added 269 kills to her career total of 509 in just two years of play. The Trailblazers fell in the first round of the conference tournament to Point Park University and finished their season 9-23 and 7-11 in conference play.
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Brittany Lenz - Cross Country
Lenz had a solid performance all around this season, highlighted by breaking her old PR by 28 seconds at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge in October. She placed ninth in the RSC Championship meet.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Lizzie Grooms - Women's Soccer
Grooms had eight goals and two assists this season and was key in creating offensive opportunities for the Trailblazers. The women's soccer team finished the season 5-12 and 3-7 in conference play.
Karissa Buttelwerth - Women's Soccer
Buttelwerth had six goals and three assists for the Trailblazers this season. She was also key up top next to Grooms for the Trailblazer offense.
Several Trailblazers were also awarded for their performance in the classroom this semester. To win the award, the athlete had to have a 3.25 GPA or higher and have spent at least two semesters at Ohio Christian.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETES
Volleyball
Alexis Anzevino
Rylee Barr
Madison Blickenstaff
Rachel Schneider
Alexa Cooper
Caraline Ferguson
Kaylee Garren
Allison Thompson
Victoria Zelenka
Emily Holbrook
Men's Soccer
Jake Shamblin
Women's Soccer
Karissa Buttelwerth
Lizzie Grooms
Maiya Moore
Emmie Brenly
Darcy Mitchell
Kennedy Edwards
Sofia Galiffo
Madison Ross
Men's Cross Country
Evan Caldwell
Chester Mientkiewicz
Women's Cross Country
Gracie Lanier
Brittany Lenz
The RSC also recognized one member from each team to receive the Champions of Character award for representing respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER
Volleyball
Caraline Ferguson
Men's Soccer
Jake Shamblin
Women's Soccer
Lizzie Grooms
Men's Cross Country
Corry Mientkiewicz
Women's Cross Country
Mia Woods
