CSU Bakersfield Athletic Director Jeff Konya long with other
university and community dignitaries honored some of CSUB's top student
athletes on Saturday May 21st at Hardt Field.
CSUB pitcher and Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC),
President Mike McCarthy and cross country/ track and field distance runner
Arianna Celis were the big winners, taking home multiple awards.
McCarthy received the prestigious President's Award,
selected by Dr. Horace Mitchell and presented by the Provost and Vice President
of Academic Affairs Dr. Soraya M. Coley.
The President's Award recognizes the student athlete who best
exemplifies the ideals and of academic achievement, athletic excellence and
community service. McCarthy was also honored as 'Roadrunner of the Year,' as
selected by SAAC and nominated by his teammates. The award celebrates the
contributions of those whose efforts may go unnoticed in the box scores but
whose character and dedication have been inspirational to the success of their
team. McCarthy spent countless hours this past season working in the community,
rallying student support for athletics on campus and earning his spot as the
number-one starter in CSUB's pitching rotation.
There were co-winners for the 'Roadrunner of the Year,' on
the women's side. Arianna Celis again captured the award for her tremendous
efforts this season in track and field, while Faith Perry also won from women's
soccer. Perry was a staple in the midfield for CSUB this past season playing over
1100 minutes in 2010.
McCarthy also led off the ceremony by awarding the inaugural
SAAC President's Recognition Awards to teammate Nick Shannon, Brooke Andrade
from the cheer squad, along with Arianna Celis, Brandon Washington and Cassey
Glassey from Roadrunner track and field.
Top male and female athletes were honored as well with the
Flachman Award, presented by Dr. Michael Flachman to men's swimmer Jake Priest
and track and field distance runner Arianna Celis. Priest was named by MPSF
Athlete of the Year and Freshman of the Year for his efforts this season for
the MPSF Champion Roadrunners. Celis meanwhile broke a 31-year old school
record in the 1500m, a mark she's subsequently improved upon four times since.
She also qualified for the NCAA West Regionals.
Dr. Jacquelyn Kegley presented the annual Kegley-McCall
Award to the women's soccer team for earning the highest aggregate grade point
average. It's the third time in four years they've taken home the honor. The team earned a 3.25 aggregate GPA,
knocking off defending Kegley-McCall Award winners women's tennis who captured
the honor last season with a 3.21 mark.
Those that are partly responsible for generating the
student-athlete scholarship fund were also on hand as The Roadrunner Club
honored some of the top performers in their recent fund drive. Top individual
donors giving over $10,000 annually to CSUB Athletics were also honored
including Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall who thanked the student athletes and
said their success on the field and after CSUB makes them "great ambassadors
for Bakersfield."
In previous seasons the awards banquet capped the season of
sport, but CSUB baseball remains in the hunt for postseason play with a home
series this weekend against Cal Poly, first pitch Friday and Saturday night is
at 6 p.m. The series will conclude Sunday at 1 p.m. at Hardt Field.
~www.GoRunners.com~
