(Taken from www.northeastconfernce.org)
Somerset, NJ -- The Northeast Conference named Monmouth senior Tiffany Hahn (Avoca, PA/Pittston Area) the 2008 recipient of its Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Student Athlete of the Year award. A former all-NEC javelin thrower and current Monmouth record holder, Hahn represented the Hawks' entire body of student-athletes on the league's SAAC board and receives its highest honor for her service as well as academic and athletic prowess.
With its recipient chosen by the members of the NEC's SAAC chapter, the award is based upon a combination of academic and athletic achievement, community service, and a personal statement by each of the nominees. Hahn joins former NEC Student-Athlete of the Year award winners Erika Jacobs (Saint Francis [PA], 2006-07), Joy Gallagher (Wagner, 2005-06), Beth Swink (Saint Francis [PA], 2004-05), Naomi Campano (Mount St. Mary's, 2003-04), and Sabrina Mariani (CCSU, 2002-03).
“Tiffany Hahn is a great example of someone who excelled academically because of her tremendous work ethic, and who took that same effort and energy to make sure she was an excellent contributor for the team athletically as well,” said long-time Monmouth head coach Joe Compagni.
A year after placing second in the javelin at the NEC Outdoor Championships with a school record-breaking throw (147' 7”), Hahn displayed mettle and resiliency in battling back from winter knee surgery. The native of Pennsylvania worked her way through the recovery process to score points at the conference's outdoor championship meet this past May. Hahn went onto the ECAC Championships for the second consecutive year and came up one place short of garnering All-East honors at the meet.
“This year, she also emerged as a great team leader for us and was selected as a team captain,” noted Compagni. “She has meant a great deal to our team while working very well with [throws] coach Abraham Flores to make the very most of her abilities.”
Hahn's achievements extended well over into the classroom where she proved to be one of the top performers out of an accomplished group. With her team amassing an overall grade-point average of 3.25 (4.0 scale) this past academic year, Hahn compiled a 3.79 GPA over her four-year career to graduate with honors this past May. In 2007, the United States Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association named Hahn a Division I Academic All-American.
Hahn owns three of the top six javelin results in the history of Monmouth women's track and field. Following her runner-up performance at the 2007 conference meet, she represented the Hawks at the NCAA East Region Championships.
“Tiffany has been a diligent worker and a tough competitor for the team for her entire four years here,” commented Compagni. “She improved a great deal and earned the respect of her teammates and coaches with her positive, team-first attitude.”
Hahn plans to further her education at Monmouth where she will pursue a Masters Degree in Psychology.
