WILLIAMSBURG, Va.—After distinguishing themselves athletically, academically and in the community, a pair of William & Mary standout student-athletes – Christian Marsh (men's gymnastics) and Ryan Ripley (football) – earned the university's prestigious Cypher Award at the Evening of Excellence ceremony Tuesday evening.
 
The award honors up to 40 graduating students each year whose contributions reflect the primary values of the university - belonging, curiosity, excellence, flourishing, integrity, respect and service. The recipients of the award represent the very best of W&M students.
 
Marsh recently concluded an outstanding senior season in which he competed at the NCAA Championships as an all-arounder and advanced to the finals on parallel bars. Additionally, he earned USA Gymnastics Collegiate All-America honors in all-around and parallel bars, while he won the Eastern College Athletic Conference title on rings with an impressive score (14.45) that ranks fifth in W&M's record book. The Clarksburg, Md., native also earned all-conference honors in all-around and on pommel horse.
 
A team captain, Marsh earned All-America Scholar-Athlete distinction by the College Gymnastics Association multiple times and garnered ECAC All-Academic Team accolades.  
 
Ripley, a three-year starter on the Tribe's offensive line, earned all-conference honors by Phil Steele this spring after helping W&M lead the CAA and rank 16th nationally with 205.5 rushing yards per game. Additionally, he and the Tribe's offensive line helped the squad tie for the Colonial Athletic Association's top rushing touchdown total (19) and average 5.0 yards per carry – nearly matching the program's single-season record (5.1) set in 1990. W&M also ranked tied for eighth nationally in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.0) and 10th in fewest sacks allowed (11).
 
An outstanding student, Ripley was selected as a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman), which honors the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation. Additionally, the two-time team captain earned CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team accolades and was a member of the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. He was also selected to the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Hampshire Honor Society.