BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSUB Athletics program honored its best and brightest of the 2009–10 academic year at the annual Roadrunner Student–Athlete Awards Banquet Thursday night in the Icardo Center.
An historic event capped the evening when CSUB President Dr. Horace Mitchell crowned co–President's Award winners, the highest individual honor bestowed on a Roadrunner student–athlete. The President's Award recognizes overall excellence in academics, athletics and community service.
Thursday, water polo driver Alyson Moss (Fresno City College) and volleyball setter Barbie Unfried (Bakersfield/Fairfield University) each received the honor from President Mitchell, marking the first time in its 15–year history that the award was shared. Moss, who will be graduating in June with a 3.90 grade point average and a degree in history, was a first team All–WWPA selection who lead CSUB in points, assists and steals while helping the 'Runners climb as high as No. 17 in the national rankings in 2010. Her community service activities included volunteering at the Poverello House, a homeless shelter in her hometown of Fresno, and serving as a Special Olympics volunteer.
Unfried, who owns a 3.51 GPA will receive her degree in business administration next month. She was an Academic All–America® nominee, earning NCAA Division I Independent Setter of the Year honors after leading all Independent players—and ranking among the national leaders in both assists and service aces this season. Her community service commitments have taken her on mission trips both within the United States and internationally. Locally, she volunteers at the Bakersfield Rescue Mission and the Hope Center, is a Relay For Life participant and donor and is active in CSUB's Rowdy About Reading program.
Basketball senior Katie Williams (Las Vegas, Nev./Reedley College) and wrestling senior Mitch Monteiro (Paso Robles/Cuesta College) picked up the Flachmann Awards, presented annually to the top male and female athletes. Williams, the 2010 NCAA Division I Independent Player of the Year, led the 'Runners by averaging 18.1 points per game while setting school records with 104 steals this season and 11 in a single game.
Monteiro opened his season by upsetting two–time All–American and No. 2 ranked David Zabriske of Iowa State at the NWCA All–Star Classic. He went on to defend his Pac–10 heavyweight title before earning All–America honors with a fifth place finish at the NCAA Division I National Championship meet.
Baseball's Nick Shannon (Mesa, Ariz./Chandler–Gilbert CC) and softball's Heather Veitch (Simi Valley/Royal HS) were named Roadrunners of the Year. The award is voted on by the CSUB student–athletes and presented to the male and female who best exemplify the spirit of Roadrunner Athletics.
The women's tennis team earned the prestigious Kegley–McCall Award for having the highest aggregate GPA of all Roadrunner teams. The tennis team finished with a 3.21 team GPA, narrowly preventing a three–peat by the women's soccer team, which finished second at 3.18.
The banquet capped the 2009–10 athletics season at CSUB — its final season of transition to full NCAA Division I status. The 'Runners are expected to begin their first season of full Division I eligibility to full Division I status when women's soccer kicks off against Cal State Fullerton on Friday, Aug. 20.
CSUB Athletics Major Award Winners
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Below is a list of California State University, Bakersfield Athletic Award winners for 2009–10. This list covers only department awards. For a more detailed list on the accomplishments of each sport for the 2009–10 seasons, please visit the individual sport pages at www.GoRunners.com.
PRESIDENT'S AWARD (Top All–Around Student–Athlete) – Alyson Moss (water polo) and Barbie Unfried (volleyball)
FLACHMANN AWARD, MALE (Top Male Athlete) – Mitch Monteiro (wrestling)
FLACHMANN AWARD, FEMALE (Top Female Athlete) – Katie Williams (basketball)
ROADRUNNER OF THE YEAR, MALE (For Contributions Outside Athletics Arena) – Nick Shannon (baseball)
ROADRUNNER OF THE YEAR, FEMALE (For Contributions Outside Athletics Arena) – Heather Veitch (softball)
KEGLEY–McCALL AWARD (Top Academic Achieving Team) – Tennis (3.21 GPA)
