April 15, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Freshmen Rita Jorgensen and Adrienne DiRaddo were honored at the 2007-2008 Black and Gold Banquet Monday evening. Jorgensen was the recipient of the Female Newcomer of the Year award, while DiRaddo was recognized as the Female Comeback Player of the Year.
The Newcomer of the Year is awarded to the student-athlete who is either a freshman or a first-year transfer who had the most significant impact on their team. Jorgensen, a Memphis, Tennessee, native, made an immediate impact to the women’s cross country and track teams the moment she stepped onto Vanderbilt’s campus.
Last fall, in only her second collegiate race, Jorgensen won the Commodore Classic and was named SEC Female Freshman of the Week for her performance. During the cross country season, she finished first on the team in five of six races in which she participated. Jorgensen took home the Most Valuable Performer award at the Vanderbilt cross country postseason banquet.
This spring, Jorgensen has also excelled on the track as a distance runner, finishing sixth in the one-mile run at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships. Jorgensen opened the outdoor season in impressive fashion, picking up three race victories in the first two meets.
“I didn’t expect to win but was honored to get the award,” Jorgensen said. “It’s an honor because there are so many good athletes in so many different sports.”
“Obviously, it’s quite an honor,” head cross country and track distance coach Steve Keith commented, adding, “Every program looks to bring in newcomers of the year. We’re fortunate enough to have Rita win this year.”
The Comeback Player of the Year is awarded to a student-athlete who has either triumphed over physical adversity or a student-athlete who has persevered to achieve their goals in their respected sport. During her senior year of high school, it was discovered that DiRaddo, a product of The Woodlands, Texas, had a hole in her heart, and she underwent surgery in April of 2007 to close the hole. She returned to cross country competition this past fall but was unable to finish the Chile Pepper Festival race and was admitted to a hospital in Arkansas.
This past January, she again experienced migraines and a few fainting spells. She was admitted to Vanderbilt Medical Center to make sure that the plug in her heart was intact and was then implanted with an Inner Loop Recorder, which continuously records her cardiac activity.
Despite her medical complications, DiRaddo has excelled tremendously in both cross country and track. She showed her best cross country performance in 2007 finishing in first place for the women’s team at the NCAA South Regional Championship race. In addition to her finish at the regional, DiRaddo also placed second on the team and ninth overall at the Belmont/Vanderbilt Opener, fourth on the team and thirteenth overall at the Commodore Classic, and third on the team and 20th overall at the Colonial Inter-Regional Challenge against nationally ranked competition. Her stellar fall season led to the Best Newcomer award at the cross country postseason banquet.
On the track in 2008, DiRaddo has been sharp, finishing seventh in the 3,000 meters at the Big Ten/SEC Challenge. Her time of 10:04.70 in the event was a season-best by nearly 10 seconds. Also, her time of 17:15 in the 5k at the Stanford Invitational ranks eighth all-time on the Vanderbilt lists.
“I was very surprised but was honored to be recognized for my season after overcoming some tough medical issues,” DiRaddo remarked. “I am very happy with the support of my coaches and teammates. The Vanderbilt Medical Center has also been helpful. They have done a great job.”
“About this time last year, I gave her family a call after her surgery,” Keith said. “I told them that things were going to be all right. Since then, we have moved forward and turned the corner. She has such a great attitude. The kids love her, and she’s a real asset to the team.”
The track and field season continues for Jorgensen, DiRaddo, and the rest of the squad this Friday and Saturday as the Commodores host the Vanderbilt Invite.
