POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (May 9, 2011) – After the final weekend featuring home Vassar College athletics events, the Liberty League bestowed honors upon Joy Backer of women's tennis, Aubree Piepmeier of women's track, and Abe Gatling of men's track.

Joy Backer, Junior, Women's Tennis, Liberty League Co-Performer of the Week
Backer went 2-0 at No. 2 singles and 1-1 at No. 1 doubles as the Brewers finished second in the Liberty League Championships. Backer defeated Hillary Drewry of St. Lawrence 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 and Melissa Hirsch of Skidmore 7-6, 6-0. She teamed with Nicole Block to knock off Skidmore's regionally ranked doubles team of Rachel Loeb and Nataly Mendoza 8-2. Last season, Backer earned Liberty League All-Conference Singles and Doubles honors. This is her second such award. A 2008 graduate of Torrey Pines High School, Backer lettered in tennis four years where her team won both the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) title and the Palomar League Championships four years in a row. Backer, a two-time San Diego Union Tribune Scholar-Athlete, earned Palomar League honorable mention as a sophomore, and reached the semifinals of the CIF doubles championships in her junior and senior seasons. At the Corona del Mar All-American High School National Team Tournament, Backer finished second her sophomore year, fifth her junior year, and third her senior year.

Aubree Piepmeier, Women's Track, Liberty League Co-Rookie of the Week
At the Matthew Vassar Open, Piepmeier placed second in the 5000-meter race (17:52.44), her second finish under the 18 minute mark. Earlier this season, Piepmeier ran a 17:37.33, with 17:35 serving as the NCAA Championships mark, in the 1500 meters. The time earned her a spot in the ECAC Championships and a USATF Junior National mark, the first Vassar runner to achieve such a feat. This is Piepmeier's fifth weekly award. A 2010 graduate of Franklin High School (MA), Piepmeier lettered three years in and also competed in indoor and outdoor track and field and captained all three teams as a senior. As a junior, she won the Hockamock League Indoor 1000m event.

Abe Gatling, Men's Track, Liberty League Co-Rookie of the Week
At the Matthew Vassar Open, Gatling placed third in the long jump with 6.42 meters for a season best and school record. He finished second in the 100-meter dash in 11.76 seconds. This is his third such award.