2011-12 Individual Accomplishments

Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipients

Awarded annually at each conference school to a male and female senior student-athlete who demonstrates proficiency in scholarship and athletics.

Luke Guthrie, Golf

Guthrie, the 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year, sealed his place as one of the top golfers in school and conference history by winning his second straight Big Ten individual title and leading the Illini to a fourth consecutive conference championship. A first-team All-American in 2011, Guthrie carried that success into his senior season by earning first-team All-Big Ten honors for the third time and notching three of his seven collegiate tournament victories. The Quincy, Ill., native is on pace to set the career stroke average record and was honored with the Les Bolstad Award for low season stroke average in the Big Ten in 2012.

Off the course, Guthrie is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection majoring in management in the College of Business and has been involved in Robeson Elementary Reading Night, Big Brothers Big Sisters Holiday Party, Jock Jams, and served as a Salvation Army bell ringer.

"Luke came to the University of Illinois as a very highly recruited golfer with the intention of doing great things, and he has not disappointed himself," golf coach Mike Smallsaid. "He takes personal responsibility for the entire team and its actions, and because of that, Luke has grown into a true leader. He represents all of the qualities that every institution desires out of its graduating student-athletes."

Jenna Carosio, Soccer

After spending three years as a reserve midfielder from 2008-10, Carosio assumed leadership duties as the Illini center back in 2012, securing Big Ten Defender of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region First Team while leading Illinois to the Big Ten Tournament Title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. In her only season playing defense, Carosio started all 24 games and was the only Illini to play every minute of the season. She helped the Orange and Blue set a program record for most wins in a single year, 17, after bouncing Notre Dame from the NCAA Tournament - the first squad in the history of NCAA women's soccer to send out the defending National Champions in the opening round.

Carosio's academic and charitable works are equally as impressive. This year, Carosio earned NSCAA Academic All-America Second Team honors while simultaneously taking the opportunity to visit with students at Yankee Ridge and Kenwood Elementary Schools and the Carle Pediatrics Center, also volunteering with the SAAC clothing drive and the Thanksgiving basket program. Carosio is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and 2009 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honoree, capping a stellar career with NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region and Capital One Academic All-District Third Team laurels this season.

"Jenna Carosio is a case study I use to argue that leaders are not born, but made," soccer coach Janet Rayfieldsaid. "Made, however, because the desire to lead is there from the beginning and is complimented by the willingness to learn from those before you. It would appear that Jenna made a significant leap in her role on this team between her junior and senior seasons, both on and off the field. From reserve midfielder to starting central defender and from quiet follower to demanding but compassionate senior captain, Jenna became a driving force in the success of the 2012 season."