:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69742110/usa_today_15199562.0.jpg)
On Tuesday, North Carolina Tar Heels announced this year’s recipients of the school’s prestigious Patterson Medal, awarded to athletes for their outstanding career achievements. After another great year of UNC sport’s this year, football’s Michael Carter, tennis’ Sara Daavettila, and lacrosse’s Katie Hoeg were bestowed the honor for 2021.
Carter wrapped up his four-year football career last fall by being part of maybe the best running back group in the country and in school history, and helping the Tar Heels to a 8-4 season, spending most of it ranked in the top 25. He was named first team All-ACC (his second all-conference nod after making the third team in 2019) and an AP third team All-American.
His senior year was his second-career 1000 yard rushing season, one of just a handful of Tar Heels to ever accomplish that feat. He was subsequently selected by the Jets in the NFL Draft, where he will hopefully represent UNC well for years to come.
Daavettila has been a career long star for UNC with the Tar Heel being one of the best women’s tennis programs in the country in her time in Chapel Hill. Over the course of her career, Carolina has won three ITA indoor championships, four ACC championships, and been to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament
In individual play, she was the #1 overall seed in this past year’s NCAA singles tournament and made it to the semifinals. At the end of her career, she’s finished second all-time at the school in wins.
Women’s lacrosse has also been one of the dominant programs in the country in recent years and Hoeg has played a big role in that. They’ve made the NCAA Tournament the last year four it’s been played (negative shout out to 2020), and made the Final Four in three of those years.
Across those years, Hoeg has put up some legendary numbers, finishing first all-time in the ACC and second all-time in NCAA History in assists. She’s racked up the honors as well, being named a three-time All-American, three-time All-ACC, and one national player of the year award.
Past winners of the Patterson Medal include some legendary luminaries in UNC history, including Phil Ford, Lawrence Taylor, Mia Hamm, Ivory Latta, and many, many more notable names. The winners of the award have to have played at least three seasons for UNC to get consideration.
Congrats to this year’s winners!