Hobnobbing with the likes of Charlie Manuel, Andy Reid and Jerome Allen, Penn’s Kristen Lange represented the Quakers at the 106th annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Association dinner Monday.
The senior captain of the women’s squash team was selected by the PSWA to represent the Quakers’ student-athlete body at the reception in Cherry Hill, N.J., where she sat on the dais with the Phillies manager and Eagles coach, in addition to other elite area athletes.
“It was quite awesome,” Lange said of the experience. The Woodinville, Wash., native said she got a sense of just how much the Philadelphia area loves its athletes.
As the night progressed, each honoree was asked to rise and be recognized by the crowd.
“It’s just you standing,” Lange said. “I was really honored.”
Each year, one outstanding player from each Big 5 school is selected to stand for their university at the dinner.
Joining Lange to represent Penn were interim men’s basketball coach Jerome Allen and football coach Al Bagnoli.
Lange was recognized for her “spectacular” four years at Penn, according to Penn Athletics spokeswoman Lizzie Barlow.
Among the senior’s accolades are an Ivy Rookie of the Year award in 2007, an Ivy championship in 2008 and an Ivy Player of the year award in 2009.
Lange has only lost once this season. Her defeat came at the hands of Trinity’s Pamela Hathway in a close 3-1 match.
Other notables attending the ceremony included Temple basketball coach and Penn legend Fran Dunphy and Eagles tight end Brent Celek.
The PSWA named the 2009 National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies Team of the Year and 76ers guard Willie Green received the Good Guy Award.
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