University of Richmond Athletics
Kobelja Wins Westhampton College's Booker Award
02/27/2014 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Senior swimming student-athlete Mali Kobelja was honored by Westhampton College with one of the college's four major senior awards, the Booker Award, in a ceremony this week.
Westhampton College is a women's college within the coeducational University of Richmond, its mission to seek to strengthen women in their intellectual and personal development, to value diversity in all its forms, and to prepare women to lead informed, purposeful live.
The Leslie Sessoms Booker Award is given annually to the senior who has typified throughout her college years loyal, enthusiastic, and unselfish service to the campus community: the “good Citizen” undergraduate.
Kobelja is a three-time Atlantic 10 Conference Most Outstanding Performer of the Year, as well as the 2012 A-10 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She earned Academic All-Conference in each of the last two seasons. Just last weekend, at the Atlantic 10 Championships, she earned 2014 Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Year, the only female to ever capture three awards.
Kobelja's volunteer coordinator, Adrienne Piazza, nominated her for the award.
“Her commitment to the youth of Highland Park through her work with PACE: Pathways to a College Experience (through the CCE) and Young Life (through her church) goes beyond that of a volunteer,” noted Piazza. “She has made herself as much a part of the Richmond community as the University of Richmond community. At John Marshall High School, Mali is able to leverage her expertise as a scholar-athlete by working with the Coaches in the Classroom grant, connecting high school students with UR coaches, athletes, and administrators to help prepare for the transition to college.”
According to the College, the recipient is the well-rounded student who has managed her academic commitments, personal life, and extra curricular interests and has still made a significant contribution to the “Westhampton spirit.” The recipient should have given to the college community during her years here the kind of loyal, enthusiastic, and unselfish spark that Leslie Booker provided for alumnae.
“I know a lot of the girls who were nominated and they were just as deserving,” said Kobelja, after receiving the honor. “For that reason, winning this award was humbling. It's also pretty appropriate that the two people who nominated me, and Dean Landphair, embody every aspect of this award. I have been lucky enough to watch and learn from their leadership for four years. I have a greater understanding of selflessness, community and purpose than I did when I came in, so I know they have been crucial in equipping me for my life after graduation.”
"I was able to attend the Westhampton Senior Celebration. It's an impressive event,” said Richmond swimming and diving head coach Matt Barany. “I know Mali was humbled to receive this award from the college amongst her peers. I think she deserves it, and it looks like I'm not the only one."
Kobelja will race once more this weekend at the Georgia Bulldog Invitational, with hopes of qualifying for the NCAA Championships.
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