AASU Student-Athletes Honored At Annual Awards Banquet

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State athletic department held its annual student-athlete awards banquet on Friday evening at the Armstrong Center.

WJCL TV-22's Frank Sulkowski served as a guest speaker and helped the Pirates "hand out the hardware" as several student-athletes from each of AASU's 10 teams were honored.

University President Dr. Thomas Z. Jones was also on hand to present three prestigious honors. Dr. Jones awarded the President's Cup, given annually to the top male and female student-athlete at AASU by the Savannah Exchange Club, to senior Jessica Strong of the AASU softball team and senior Parker Hayden of the AASU men's basketball squad.

Dr. Jones also presented a Silver A award to former AASU women's soccer player Ashley Elam, who graduated this spring with a 4.00 GPA in biology.

Listed below are the specific sport winners from each of the Pirates' teams awarded on Friday evening.

Volleyball

Team Academic Award: Gwendolyn Clarke
Most Valuable Player: Rindy Vidovich
Unsung Pirate: Michele Remlinger

Women's Soccer

Team Academic Award: Jennifer Brian
Most Valuable Player: Kristin Burton
Coaches Award: Carey Patterson

Men's Basketball

Team Academic Award: Parker Hayden
Pirate Award: Gabriel Robinson
Hustle Award: T.T. Hall

Women's Basketball

Team Academic Award: Jenea Boni
Offensive Player of the Year: Lacey Willis
Defensive Player of the Year: Dartayvia Thomas

Baseball

Team Academic Award: Kenny Cail
Coaches Award: Juan Dorado
Most Outstanding Pitcher: Cody Walden

Softball

Team Academic Award: Jessica Strong
Co-Most Valuable Player Award: Sam Floyd, Jessica Strong, Stephanie Mattes, Ashley Bain

Women's Golf

Team Academic Award: Kristen Jelinek
Most Improved: Sarah Johns
Coaches Award: Victoria Bennett

Men's Golf

Team Academic Award: David Patterson
Most Improved: Parker Gordon
Coaches Award: Matt Motes

Men's Tennis

Team Academic Award: Paul Bishop
Coaches Award: Eudaldo Bonet
Most Valuable Player: Mikk Irdoja

Women's Tennis

Team Academic Award: Alisa Kagukina
Coaches Award: Kathleen Henry
Most Valuable Player: Sona Novakova