By: By Joseph Feldman
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KENNESAW, Ga. – The student-athletes of the Kennesaw State Owls held their annual Owls Choice Awards banquet on Sunday night at the KSU Convocation Center, celebrating the accomplishments of the 2017-18 season.
The highlight of the night was the presentation of the Dr. David Waples Total Person Award. The award, named for the former Owls' athletics director and Hall of Fame inductee, was given to senior volleyball student-athlete
Kristi Piedimonte.
Piedimonte became the first Kennesaw State student-athlete to be named ASUN CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America honors after graduating in December with a perfect 4.0 GPA as a nursing major.
"When I decided to attend Kennesaw State, I had very little idea the impact it would have on my life," Piedimonte said. "Obviously, starting my post graduate life and career in Kennesaw, I have clearly fell in love with the KSU family and friends I have acquired over the past four years. Kennesaw State has taught me how to flourish in all aspects of life, not just athletically, but socially, academically, in leadership rolls and in the community. Even though this award has my name on it, it's truly the product of so many people: our three coaches and all support staff, my family, the friends I have made here in Kennesaw and most importantly my teammates. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all of these hands that went into shaping my time here. It's hard to believe that four years ago these people that have become my family were once strangers to me. While my heart aches to complete my time as a competitive Owl, I'm so honored to represent this outstanding university and feel privileged to have worn the Owl jersey."
She capped off a tremendous career her senior season by helping lead the Owls to their first NCAA Tournament. Kennesaw State had its best season in program history going 21-5 and 13-1 in ASUN play. The Owls won their first ASUN Tournament and their second straight ASUN Regular Season Championship. Piedimonte was named ASUN Setter and Scholar of the Year as well.
The Dr. Dave Waples Total Person Award is presented to an upperclassmen that exemplifies all the qualities we want to see in a KSU student-athlete -- athletic achievement, academic achievement, character, leadership, and community service,
In addition to the individual awards, the Owls recognized their conference championship teams this season, to date: volleyball, football, men's and women's outdoor track & field as well as men's indoor track & field and men's golf.
2017-18 Owls Choice Award Winners:
Dr. David Waples Total Person Award
(selected by the Total Person Award committee)
Kristi Piedimonte, volleyball
Players of the Year Award
(selected by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee)
Kamiyah Street, women's basketball
Bryson Armstrong and Chandler Burks, football
Rookies of the Year Award
(selected by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee)
Kamiyah Street, women's basketball
Bryson Armstrong, football
Iron Owl Award
(presented to the male and female student-athletes who put forth the best effort in the weight room; selected by the Owls' strength & conditioning staff)
Jocselyn Powell, women's track & field
Daniel McKune, men's track and field
Wise Owl Award
(presented to the male and female student-athletes with the highest cumulative GPA)
Kristi Piedimonte, volleyball
Paul Doig, men's golf
Game Face Award
(presented to male and female student athletes that exhibited the best "game face" in competition)
Sydney Meador, women's soccer
Jake McLinskey, baseball
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