Athletics Department
 - Mission
 - Quick Facts
 - Department Staff
 - Pioneer Club
      - Hall of Fame
      - News Archive
 - Student-Athlete Handbook (.pdf)

Eschbaugh and Quintana to receive awards at Saturday's Hall of Fame Banquet
Quintana named 2007 Betty Cleland Award winner, while Eschbaugh honored with 2007 Way-Weigelt Award

Feb. 11, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Betty Cleland and Way-Weigelt awards are the most honored distinctions that the Marietta College Athletics Department presents each year. The 2007 recipients were two successful Marietta College Athletes who are certainly deserving of these awards. Softball pitching star Kristen Quintana was this past year’s Betty Cleland Award winner and the honor of the Way-Weigelt Award went to Pioneer baseball standout Ryan Eschbaugh. Both Quintana and Eschbaugh will be on hand Saturday (Feb. 16) to be recognized during the Hall of Fame banquet. The ceremony will coincide with the induction of the 25th Hall of Fame Class.

This year's inductees include national-qualifying distance runner Roderick MacLeod '72, All-American baseball standout and Way-Weigelt award winner David Thomas '84, All-American defensive tackle Jason Olivea '96, Betty Cleland award winner Lee Ann Shoemaker '97 and two-time National Player of the Year and Way-Weigelt award winner Joseph Thomas '97. [Hall of Fame Biographies] In addition, Paul "Doc" Spear will receive the prestigious Distinguished Service Award for his dedication to Marietta College athletics. [Complete Story]

The Hall of Fame Banquet to be held Saturday evening in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center caps off a busy weekend at Marietta College, that includes a collegiate track & field meet as well as a men's and women's varsity basketball game, while also featuring a men's and women's basketball and volleyball alumni games. [Schedule of Events (.pdf)]

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the athletics office by calling (740) 376-4665 or by emailing Wendy Thieman at thiemana@marietta.edu.

Eschbaugh's leadership and production on the baseball diamond throughout the last four years earned him the department's selection to receive the 2007 Way-Weigelt Award.

Eschbaugh, a four-year letterman, spent time at second base, third base and shortstop during his career with the Pioneers. He earned All-OAC honorable mention as a second baseman in 2004 and again as a shortstop in 2007. The athletic training major also earned Academic All-OAC honors as a senior.

Eschbaugh, a former batboy for the Etta Express, had a huge impact during the Pioneers' 2006 National Championship run, earning World Series All-Star Team honors after batting .500 (6-for-12) and fielding 1.000 in four games at Fox Cities Stadium in Grande Chute, Wisconsin.

Eschbaugh, who played in 167 games, had a career batting average of .291 with the Etta Express. He ranks tied for second on Marietta's career assist list with 484 and fielded .934 over his four years.

When not playing baseball, Eschbaugh, a Marietta native, was an active member of the Student Athletic Training Organization.

"Ryan has been a tremendous contributor to this program for a long time," said Head Coach Brian Brewer. "Batboy, player, assistant coach, it just does not matter what the role, he makes our program better on a daily basis. His leadership, productivity and lead by example approach to things will be greatly missed next fall."

Eschbaugh graduated in December with his Bachelor of Science in athletic training but will remain on campus this spring to help coach the Etta Express and continue his preparation for Medical School, which he will enroll into this fall.

Quintana spent the last four years asserting herself as one of the premier pitchers in Ohio Athletic Conference history. That effort earned her the department's 2007 Betty Cleland Award.

Quintana, a four-year letterwinner, graduated as the most decorated Pioneer pitcher in school history. The native of Denver, Colo., was twice a first team All-Region selection and a two-time John Wells OAC Pitcher of the Year. She also received second team All-Conference honors as a sophomore.

Quintana holds eight of 11 single-season records and eight of 10 career records at Marietta. She is the all-time leader in shutouts (25), no-hitters (4), appearances (115), complete games (75), victories (62), innings pitched (628 1/3), strikeouts (661) and winning percentage (62-29/.681). The right-hander also set the single-season record for shutouts (11), no-hitters (4), appearances (36), games started (29), complete games (27), victories (23), innings pitched (211) and strikeouts (271).

"Kristen was an intense competitor and a dominant force on the mound," said Head Coach Jeanne Arbuckle. "She was a leader by example on the softball team and served as a captain her senior year. It's hard to quantify the impact she had on our success over the last four years."

When not on the center of the diamond, Quintana pursued a double major in Spanish and international business. She was also active in the Spanish Club for two years and studied abroad in Madrid during the fall semester of 2005.

Quintana moved to Columbus following graduation to work for a finance company. She is currently employed by Spherion, an employment service that recruits and places temporary employees. Quintana is also giving private pitching lessons. She plans to return to Denver this summer to pursue a position with in international business company.