May 1, 2008

      By Keith Michlig, GSW Sports Information

Student-athletes recognized at spring banquet

AMERICUS--The Georgia Southwestern State University Department of Athletics honored its student-athletes Monday, April 28 at the spring athletic banquet in the Storm Dome on the campus of GSW.  Andrew Whiggum (baseball) was named Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, while Kassi Reneau (softball) was named Female Scholar Athlete of the Year.  

Four awards made their inaugural appearance on Monday. 

The President's Cup, given by GSW President Kendall Blanchard, was awarded to the men's team (golf) and women's team (cross country) with the highest yearly GPA. 

The Roy Lee Smith and Susan Kay Smith Awards were established to recognize the male and female senior athletes who are the best all-around representatives of GSW Athletics.  Recipients of this year's honors were Carter Meyers (men's soccer) and Kassi Reneau.  In addition to their work in the classroom and leadership on the field, these athletes were involved in community service activities, exhibited sportsmanship at all times and participated in campus activities other than athletics. 

The Outstanding Service Award was established to recognize a faculty, staff or community member for their contributions to the program.  This year's award went to Chris Fenn.  Chris volunteers countless hours as a photographer for the department.  Many of his shots are used by the Americus Times-Recorder newspaper in covering GSW athletics.

Below is a complete list of the evening's award winners: 

2007-2008 Awards

Male Scholar Athlete of the Year:  Andrew Whiggum

Female Scholar Athlete of the Year:  Kassi Reneau

President's Cup:  Golf (men's sports), Cross Country (women's sports)

Roy Lee Smith Award:  Carter Meyers

Susan Kay Smith Award:  Kassi Reneau

Outstanding Service Award:  Chris Fenn

Scholar Athlete Awards:

Baseball:  Andrew Whiggum

Women's Basketball:  Whitney Dean

Women's Cross Country:  Stevi Korcyk

Men's Golf:  Michael Harris

Softball:  Kassi Reneau

Men's Soccer:  Christian Dane

Women's Soccer:  Whitney Brown

Men's Tennis:  Will Hayes

Women's Tennis:  Laura Snyder

2006-2007 Peach Belt Conference Awards

 Male Student-Athlete of the Year:  Chris Horton-Cook

 Presidential Honor Roll:

Baseball:  Andrew Whiggum, Brandon Reeder, Carlos Height, Colin Duffie, D.J. Decker, Jordan Mullis, Justin Hilliard, Matt Hyer, Michael Baker, Nick Rex Patrick McCarthy, Ricky Hutchison, Rusty James and Ryan Lackey

Men's Basketball:  Shawn King

Women's Basketball:  Angela Lamb, Antonija Petrushevska, Brittany Reynolds, Cherrelle Pullen, Jamiliah Sharp, Jennifer Murack, Krystal Thomas, Whitney Dean

Women's Cross Country:  Kelly Matthews, Laura Southwell, Leslie Dallas, Stevi Korczyk

Men's Golf:  James Kelly, Michael Harris

Softball:  Amanda Howett, Brittany Mederos, Brittany Milstid, Caitlin Rosa, Emily Oglesby, Jessi Croft, Kassi Reneau, Kelli Smith, Tamra Brown

Men's Soccer:  Carter Meyers, Christian Dane, Clay Watkins, Conrad Brown, Jonathan Smith, Justin Tarin, Michael Moses

Women's Soccer:  Akina Omae, Anna Eklund, Brooke Reagan, Christy Drabek, Elizabeth Keller, Erin Moore, Lauren Heaslip, Meredith Crocker, Sabina Nell, Trina Sorenson, Whitney Brown

Men's Tennis:  Allen Hinkle, Amyn Soldier, Brandon Hochstetler, Brenton Hochstetler, Christopher Horton-Cook, Ian Pierson, Kip Wright

Women's Tennis:  Anna Faust, Ashley Waters, Laura Snyder, Sarah Harrington

PHOTO AVAILABLE

Scholar Athlete of the Year recipients Andrew Whiggum and Kassi Reneau with GSW President Dr. Kendall Blanchard

                                                            - GSW -