KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State held its annual student-athlete banquet to celebrate the previous year's hard work on Sunday, May 1.
 
"This was an Owl proud night," Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams said. "This was our best student-athlete banquet yet. The student-athletes have really gotten behind creating what's relevant for their classmates and for all of their colleagues and that's been a great thing to see. This is a celebration of them. I'm proud of everyone that helped put together everything to make this such a great night."
 
The banquet was highlighted by the Dr. Dave Waples Total Person award given this year to track and field star, Andre Dorsey.  The Total Person Award is given out to the upperclassman who exemplifies all of the qualities that are wanted in a Kennesaw State student-athlete, including athletic and academic achievement, character, leadership and community service.
 
In Dorsey's career, he is a five time NCAA All-American, won 12 individual Atlantic Sun individual titles as well as helped lead the men's team to seven straight A-Sun team titles. He's also been a leader off of the track in the classroom as well as in the community.
 
"These last four years has meant a lot to me," Dorsey said. "Kennesaw State has offered me nothing but respect, love and support my entire time here. People know who we are now and know that we have their backs and they have our backs. That's been one of the best things I've ever been a part of. Kennesaw is what I consider home now."
 
Sticking with the track and field theme, senior Bilal Abdullah won the Male Athlete of the Year and Kidan Kidane won the Female Athlete of the Year. Abdullah was a First Team All-American for the second year in a row after finishing sixth at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the heptathlon. Kidane was voted the Most Outstanding Track Performer after taking home two gold medals and a silver medal while breaking three school records at the A-Sun Indoor Championships.
 
The male Rookie of the Year award was given out to Taylor Henkle after his outstanding first season on the football field. The female Rookie of the Year award was split between Clara Aveling and Sydni Shelton.
 
The Iron Owl of the Year was presented to the student-athletes, one male and one female, who worked the hardest in the weight room. This year's Iron Owls were Taylor Denton and Nick Perrotta.
 
On the flipside, the Wise Owl award, handed out to the hardest workers in the classroom, was presented to Michelle Witt from the volleyball team and Emily Bishop from softball. On the men's side, the two Wise Owl award winners were Carlos Segura Oliva from the golf team and Jorge Wilton from the tennis team, for their tremendous work academically.
 
The Game Face award was given to Karly Frye of women's basketball and Kendrick Ray of Men's basketball after making the best faces during competition.
 
The team that accumulated the most community service hours throughout the previous year was the track and field team.
 
The lacrosse team won the Gold Cup for supporting the other team's at Kennesaw State.