Maffei and Christoffel
named Athletes of the Year at UMPI
By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine Presque Isle handed out its year-end athletic awards in front of a big crowd at the Alumni Room in the Campus Center last Wednesday night.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 
— UMPI’S Craig Maffei receives his Athlete of the Year award from Dean of Students Chris Corsello. Maffei was a key component of the Owls soccer team.
The male Athlete of the Year was awarded to senior soccer player Craig Maffei of Readfield. He concluded a standout career as a midfielder for the Owls.
Maffei was named Honorable Mention to the USCAA All-American team. Maffei had a solid season for the Owls, leading the team in goals, six, and tying for the team lead in points, 13.
“Craig had an outstanding 4-year career here,” said Owls’ coach Alan Gordon, “I am pleased he got this recognition for what he accomplished.”
The female Athlete of the Year was presented to two-sport star Kathleen ‘Kati’ Christoffel of Clifton Park, N.Y. The junior competed in cross country and Nordic skiing.
Photo courtesy of UMPI
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR — Kati Christoffel receives her UMPI Athlete of the Year award from Dean of Students Chris Corsello. Christoffel ran cross country and was on the Nordic ski team.
Christoffel was named Honorable Mention to the All-Independent Women’s Cross Country Team and was an USCAA All-Academic Team selection for Nordic skiing.
The criteria for Athlete of the Year included: person should be an outstanding student-athlete, good student, well-rounded individual, contributions to the team and athletic department and service to the university and community.
The Al Arman (Make a Difference) Awards were presented to senior Justin Fereshetian of Turner and sophomore Susan Lavertu of Madawaska. Lavertu plays on the Lady Owls soccer team and Fereshetian ran cross country and was on the Nordic team.
The annual Al Arman award is presented to the student-athletes or students who truly have made a difference within athletics and/or the campus community. These contributions can range from being a team manager to being a star player. Attitude and effort mean everything. Each year the athletic staff discusses events of the past season and determines who is worthy to receive this award.
The Donald N. Zillman Character Award was bestowed upon sophomore soccer player Lucas Bartlett of Bradley.
This honor goes to a student-athlete who, through their actions in the competitive arena of intercollegiate athletics, has demonstrated one or more of the ideals of character development, through sportsmanship, including fairness, civility, honesty, unselfishness, respect and responsibility.
Freshman basketball player Brigitte Pratt of Southwest Harbor was selected for the Ruel Parks Coaches Award.
This award is in memory of former assistant women’s basketball coach, Ruel Parks, and is awarded to a passionate player who may not always be the star, but is very dedicated to her team, has a passion for the game of basketball, and is essential to team chemistry.
The Stanley H. Small Coaches Award, which is given to either a junior or senior who have shown exemplary dedication to the UMPI athletic, went to senior softball player Desiree Smith of Thomaston.
