Indiana University Athletics
Exner, Hesen Named Athletes of the Year
7/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
July 31, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Senior field hockey goalkeeper Haley Exner and senior swimmer Ben Hesen have been named the Indiana University Female and Male Athletes of the Year for 2007-08, the Department of Athletics announced today.
Exner, a native of San Diego, Calif., also received the Big Ten Medal of Honor on the women's side for the Hoosiers following a successful career with the field hockey team. Hesen captured the Hoosiers' first NCAA individual swimming title since 1976 with a victory in the 100 backstroke at the 2008 NCAA Championships in Federal Way, Wash.
Exner was named first team All-Big Ten goalkeeper each of her final three seasons and garnered Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors six times in her career. In addition, she was a second team NFHCA All-West Region honoree as a sophomore and first team recipient her junior and senior seasons and was selected to play in the NFHCA North/South All-Star game following her senior season.
"Haley had a stellar career and she contributed greatly to helping establish the Indiana field hockey program as one of the nation's elite, both on the field and in the classroom," head field hockey coach Amy Robertson said. "She was a leader for us throughout her career, so this is a tremendous way for her to be recognized for all of her hard work."
A three-year starter, Exner is IU's career leader in wins (38) and goal against average (1.54) and led the Hoosiers to their only appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2005. She also holds two of the top three single-season goals against averages in IU history, led by her 1.34 goals against effort in 2006.
Hesen blazed to the crown in a time of 44.72, shaving nearly a second off his previous school mark and recording the second-fastest time in NCAA history. Hesen's win is the first NCAA swimming title for the Hoosiers since Jim Montgomery captured the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle in 1976. Mike Stamm was the last IU swimmer to win the 100 back, picking up his title in 1973 with a time of 50.91.
"Ben is very deserving of this honor," head swimming coach Ray Looze said. "When he decided to attend IU he called me back four days after I visited his home on July 1st (the first permissible day to meet prospects in person). To this day he remains our earliest commitment. One particular moment of the past year comes to mind when thinking of Ben's season. After winning the individual national title, he asked if the accomplishment would help the team. In a nutshell, that is Ben...always putting the team first."
The victory capped off an undefeated season for Hesen in the 100 back. He also claimed Big Ten titles in the 100 back, 200 back and 100 fly, earning Big Ten Swimmer of the Year and Big Ten Swimmer of the Championship honors. Hesen closed out his IU career as a 14-time NCAA All-American.
Players Mentioned
