University seniors and student-athletes Jared Lawrence and Shani Marks were named the recipients of the Big Ten conference medal of honor for the 2002-03 academic year. Lawrence, a wrestler, and Marks, a track and field athlete, earned the highest award bestowed upon a student-athlete in the Big Ten conference.

Lawrence, the 149-pound 2002 NCAA champion, became only the third wrestler to earn All-America honors in all four years of his career. An NCAA runner-up in 2003, Lawrence finished his career sixth in all-time career wins at Minnesota with a 130-23 record and third in dual meet wins with a 66-11 mark. Lawrence captured the 2001 and 2003 Big Ten title at 149 pounds with runner-up finishes in 2000 and 2002.

Last weekend, Marks ended her career with her finest season, capturing second place in the triple jump at NCAAs to earn her third All-America honor in the event. She became only the seventh Gopher to place second in an event at the NCAA championships. The school, Big Ten and Big Ten championships record-holder in the outdoor triple jump, Marks is a three-time All-American and a four-time Big Ten champion in both indoor and outdoor track and field.