Finalists for Ken B. Jones Awards Announced

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The list of finalists for the 2009-10 Ken B. Jones Awards as MIAA Student-Athletes of the Year have been determined.
 
The award, which is in its 17th year, is named in honor of the man who served as the MIAA’s first full-time commissioner for 16 years. Jones retired in 1997 and passed away in May 2004. One male and one female are selected for the honors, with the finalists invited to the annual MIAA Awards Dinner, which is set for June 10 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, Mo.
 
A 12-member panel of athletics directors, senior woman administrators, faculty athletics representatives and sports information directors – including a representative from each member institution – selects the finalists.
 
Each nominee is judged in four areas: 2009-10 Athletics Accomplishments; 2009-10 Academic Accomplishments; 2009-10 Campus/Community Service; and Career Athletics, Academics and Service Achievements.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average as of April 1, and must have completed at least their junior season of eligibility in the 2009-10 academic year.

Women’s Finalists

Cassondra Boston
Emporia State
Women’s Basketball
5-6, Sr., Des Moines, Iowa
3.68 cumulative GPA as an accounting major

2009-10 Athletic Accomplishments: Named MIAA Women’s Basketball Most Valuable Player as she led the Lady Hornets to the NCAA Division II National Championship...was a consensus All-American, earning State Farm All-American by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), Women’s D-II Bulletin All-American and Daktronics/CoSIDA All-American honors...was the South Central Regional Player of the Year...was named to all-tournament team at the Elite Eight, South Central Regional and MIAA Tournament...was a four-time MIAA Player of the Week...led the league in scoring, was second in free throw percentage, third in assists, fourth in made three-pointers, fifth in field goal percentage and is eighth in assist to turnover ratio and three point field goal percentage...made 89 three-pointers this season to rank third on the Lady Hornet single season list and is third with 173 made free throws...was named ESU’s Outstanding Female Student Athlete of the Year for the second time.

2009-10 Academic Accomplishments:  Graduated in December (in 3 1⁄2  years) with BS in accounting and began work on MBA while leading the Lady Hornets to the National Championship...was named First-Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District...will be an MIAA Scholar Athlete and named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll...named to ESU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
 
2009-10 Campus/Community Service: Participated in Hanging with a Hornet, a mentoring program that brought ESU athletes to Emporia Middle School once a week for lunch and conversation with the students...took part in Laps for Landon, a fund raiser named in honor of an Emporia 3-year-old who is fighting Cystic Fibrosis to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation...helped with Rebuilding Together, the nation’s leading nonprofit that provides free rehabilitation and critical repairs to the homes of low-income Americans...built dog houses for the Lyon County Human Society...assisted Emporia Arts Council with promotion of “The Wizard of Oz” for Classic Movie Night at the historic Granada Theater in downtown Emporia...met with students at Bode Middle School in St. Joseph, Mo. and took part in a clinic and autograph signing at MWSU Fieldhouse during the Elite Eight.
 
Career Athletic, Academic and Service Accomplishments: Athletics: She was first-team All-MIAA and second-team Daktronics All-Region as a junior... was named to the 2009 MIAA All-Tournament team...As a sophomore was named second-team All-MIAA...set the ESU single game record with nine treys and a career high 34 points against Cameron and scored 29 points against KU in 2007-08... was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year and scored 20 points in ESU's nationally televised win over #3 Washburn in 2006-07...had a game high 21 points in an exhibition win over K-State in her first game in a Lady Hornet uniform...has 1,844 points in her career to rank fourth at ESU...is second in career three pointers, fifth in made free throws, sixth in assists and ninth in made field goals...has led the Lady Hornets to four NCAA Tournaments, two MIAA regular season championships, two NCAA Sweet Sixteens and the 2010 National Championship...was ESU’s eighth repeat winner of Female Student-Athlete of the Year.
 
Academics: Graduated cum laude in 3 1⁄2 years with a 3.68 GPA in accounting...was a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection...has been an MIAA Scholar-Athlete (formerly Academic All-MIAA) all four years...has been on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll three times (freshmen were not eligible until 2009)...has been on ESU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll all eight semesters.  
 
Service: Has volunteered for Operation Breakthrough, Habitat for Humanity, the Lady Hornets Adopt a Family and Holiday Resort Retirement home visit, the Menu Foods Carnival for Kids, Walk for the American Diabetes Association and baby sitting for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS).

Caitlin Pankratz
Central Missouri
Volleyball/Softball
5-8, Sr., Buhler, Kan.
3.90 cumulative GPA as an accounting major

2009-10 Athletic Accomplishments: Caitlin Pankratz finished her four-year career this season for the MIAA Champion volleyball Jennies this season ranked No. 2 all-time in assists with 5,503. For her efforts this year, she earned AVCA All-American honors and first-team All-MIAA.  
 
2009-10 Academic Accomplishments:  In the classroom, Caitlin has also been just as good, garnering a 3.90 cumulative GPA in accounting, Caitlin has been on the Dean’s list every semester at UCM. Caitlin was a MIAA Presidential Honor Roll member numerous times for a 4.0 GPA. She has been on the MIAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll and the CoSida Academic All-District team three times. She was a two-time Academic All-MIAA honoree. She has also received the prestigious NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship, was named Outstanding Graduate for Accounting and was a finalist for the UCM Charno Award this year.
 
2009-10 Campus/Community Service: Pankratz has been active in many athletic and community activities throughout her time at Central Missouri. She is a yearly member of the literacy team, and is a Big Sister to a student at Sterling Elementary School. She has been an active member of SAAC, as the past-president.
 
Career Athletic, Academic and Service Accomplishments: A two-time all-conference selection, she has earned many honors during her four-year career, including numerous all-tournament teams, and the NCAA South Central Region All-Tournament Team while helping the Jens to the No. 1 seed and host of the tournament.  During her career at UCM, Caitlin has led her teams to a 149-39 overall record. She was the starting setter for four years and a team captain for two, helping the team win 81% of its matches. The volleyball program won its first conference title since 2000 last season and has been to the NCAA Post Season Championships every year since she has been here. Caitlin has recorded double figures in assists in over 35 games in each of her four seasons, collected 47 double- doubles in her career and over 30 games in the past three seasons of 30+ assists.

Kimi Shank
Missouri Southern
XC/Track and Field
5-3, Sr., St. James, Mo.
3.977 cumulative GPA as a kinesiology major

2009-10 Athletic Accomplishments: 2009 MIAA and Regional Cross Country Champion…Finished fourth at the 2009 D-II Country National Meet…All-MIAA Cross Country…All Region Cross Country…All-American Cross Country…Multiple Indoor Track All-MIAA…MIAA Champion in Indoor 3k and 5k setting MIAA and Building record in each event…Anchored the Distance Medley Relay team that set the MSSU record…Indoor All-American in the 5k…Outdoor MIAA Champion in 5k and 10k…Set MIAA and Stadium record in the outdoor 5k…All-MIAA Outdoor Track…National Qualifier in both the 5k and 10k.
  
2009-10 Academic Accomplishments:  USTFCAA National Academic Team Member…Member of the Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll…Dean’s List at MSSU.
 
2009-10 Campus/Community Service: Helped out with many of MSSU’s service projects this year…Participated in the track and cross country Adopt A Road program…Helped out at the annual Southwest Missouri Special Olympics held at MSSU.
 
Career Athletic, Academic and Service Accomplishments: Multiple All-MIAA selections in each of her four years at MSSU…Multiple All-Region selections in each of her four years at MSSU…Multiple All-America Selections…Holds the MSSU school record for the Indoor and Outdoor 5k, as well as the Outdoor 10k and the cross country 6k…Has maintained a 3.977 GPA in Kinesiology at Missouri Southern…Three-time member of MIAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll…Academic All-District…Member of the MSSU Dean’s List.

Men’s Finalists

Myles Burnsides
Northwest Missouri
Football
5-11, 195, Sr., Maryville, Mo.
3.90 undergrad GPA as a business management major; 3.86 graduate GPA (Business Administration MBA, completed 21 of 33 credits)

2009-10 Athletic Accomplishments:  First-Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)…First-Team All-American by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette – First-Team All-Region…Second-Team All-American by Daktronics (CoSIDA) – First-Team All-Region…Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press…Second-Team All-American by D2Football.com…Named a preseason All-American by four publications…First-Team All-MIAA…Second-leading tackler for the national champion Bearcats (14-1), who won their final 14 games…Eighth-leading tackler in the MIAA with 82…Led the MIAA and ranked 21st nationally with 5 interceptions…Returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown against Fort Hays State (10/31)…Had an interception in three consecutive games…Had a season-high 12 tackles in a regional championship win against #1 Central Washington…Had 10 tackles in a win against Pittsburg State at Arrowhead Stadium…Helped Northwest win its fourth consecutive MIAA championship…Helped Northwest extend its conference winning streak to 37 games…Helped Northwest reach the national championship game for the fifth consecutive season
 
2009-10 Academic Accomplishments:  Distinguished Scholar…Perfect 4.0 grade point average in both the fall and spring trimesters…First-team Academic All-American as awarded by CoSIDA (second-team in 2008).
 
2009-10 Campus/Community Service:  Northwest Spring Work Day – April 17… Highway cleanup, yard cleanup around Maryville… Football Camps (summer of 2009) – Defensive Back Drills; 1-on-1 interaction with campers… Fitness Day at Horace Mann Elementary School (spring semester)… Reading Day at Horace Mann Elementary School (fall semester)… Read Christmas stories to schools in Florence, Ala., during the week of the national championship
 
Career Athletic, Academic and Service Accomplishments:  Service: Northwest Spring Work Day (held annually every April)… Northwest Football Camps (held annually every summer)
 
Academic: Had a perfect 4.0 grade point average during all five fall trimesters when football is in season… Northwest Marketing Student of the Year (2008-09)… Four-time Distinguished Scholar award winner… Two-time Academic All-American (2008, 2009)… Three-time Academic All-District selection (2007, 2008, 2009)
 
Athletic:  2008 Ron Lenz National Defensive Player of the Year as selected by CoSIDA – First National Player of the Year Award in program history… 2008 First-Team All-American by four publications… 2009 First-Team All-American by two publications and second-team choice by three others… 2008 Regional Defensive Player of the Year… 2008 MIAA Most Valuable Defensive Player – Third defensive back in league history to win the award and first since 2002; Fourth Bearcat to win the award in five seasons… Three-time First-Team All-MIAA Defensive Back (2007, 2008, 2009)… All-MIAA Honorable mention (2006)… Led the MIAA and ranked seventh nationally with seven interceptions in 2008… Northwest’s leading tackler as a sophomore… Started the final 47 games of his collegiate career spanning the last four seasons… Started 53 total games and played in all 59 Northwest games in the last four seasons…Started in four national championship contests… Program Records:  294 tackles (185 unassisted) are the most by a defensive back (eighth overall); 16 interceptions are third-most in program history; Returned two interceptions for scores, had 9.5 TFL, 33 passes defended, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 blocked punt

Mike Higgins
Nebraska-Omaha
Football
6-5, 241, Jr., Pickrell, Neb.
3.96 cumulative GPA as a civil engineering major

2009-10 Athletic Accomplishments: Mike Higgins was a Daktronics Second Team All-American at tight end, leading the Mavericks with 43 catches for 770 yards and nine touchdowns, all career highs.  He was fourth in the MIAA in receptions in league games (8) and fourth in reception yardage per game (72.8).  The native of Pickrell, Neb. also ranked in the top ten in the league in receptions per game, yards per catch and total receptions.  He was named to the All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association First Team this season.  He also was a Daktronics All Super Region IV selection, a First Team Don Hansen’s Football Gazette NCAA Division II All Super Region IV pick and a D2Football.com Second Team All-American.
 
2009-10 Academic Accomplishments: Higgins was a Dean’s List member after posting a 3.94 GPA during the fall and was a Chancellor’s List member with a 4.00 GPA this spring. He has a 3.96 cumulative grade point average in civil engineering.  In addition, he was a 2009 Academic All-District 7 First Team Selection.  He also was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second Team.  Higgins is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and of Chi Epsilon, the National Civil Engineering Honor Society.  He has received the Walter Scott Jr. Scholarship, the most prestigious scholarship extended by UNO’s Peter Kiewit Institute which is a high-tech learning and research institute.
 
2009-10 Campus/Community Service: Higgins received the school’s Humanitarian Award at its year-end banquet for his community service efforts.  He participated in the Seven Days of Service for the third straight year, lending his skills to Habitat for Humanity.  He has served meals at the Open Door Mission, visited residents at Quality Living, Inc. and offered his football know-how to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Football Camp.  He also volunteered as a coach during physical education classes at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Omaha.
 
Career Athletic, Academic and Service Accomplishments: Higgins started all 11 games as a sophomore and caught 20 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns.  He led the team with an average of 17.3 yards per catch and was second on the team in total yards. He was an MIAA all-conference honorable mention and was also a 2008-09 MIAA Academic All- Conference pick. He was member of the 2007 North Central Conference Honor Roll.  Higgins has maintained a 3.96 GPA.

Zach Watkins
Washburn
Football
6-0, 235, Graduated, Independence, Mo.
Cumulative GPA of 3.52 as a finance major

2009-10 Athletic Accomplishments: He led the MIAA in tackles for the third time in four years earning both MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and the Daktronics Regional Defensive Player of the Year ... he was named a 2009 American Football Coaches Association First Team All-American, a 2009 CoSIDA/Daktronics Second Team All-American, a 2009 Football Gazette Second Team All-American, a 2009 D2football.com Honorable Mention All-American ... was a first team Daktronics All-Region selection ... a first team Football Gazette All-Region selection a unanimous first team All-MIAA ... participated in the 2010 Cactus Bowl All-Star game and was voted team captain ... led the MIAA with 111 tackles averaging 11.1 per game with 62 solo tackles, 49 assisted tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss for 26 yards, one interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery ... his tackles for loss was fourth in the MIAA ... his three forced fumbles tied for the MIAA lead ... his 11.1 tackles per game was 10th in the NCAA Division II rankings ... his 111 total tackles was 14th on the Washburn single-season chart ... his three forced fumbles tied for second on the Washburn single-season chart ... named the Ichabod Defensive and overall Most Valuable Player.
 
2009-10 Academic Accomplishments: Graduated in December with his degree in Finance ... was a 2009 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Selection ... will be named to the MIAA Scholar Athlete team after recording a GPA of at least 3.5 and earning first team All-MIAA honors ... will be named to the MIAA’s Academic Honor Roll ... recipient of the Dale Marcoux Leadership Scholarship from the Washburn School of Business ... received Washburn general academic scholarship ... named the Washburn Senior Student-Athlete of the Year at the MVP Awards Banquet.
 
2009-10 Campus/Community Service: Served as a tutor for the football team ... a Special Olympics Volunteer ... volunteer at the Capper Foundation in Topeka ... volunteer coach at the Washburn Blue Crew Football Camp.
 
Career Athletic, Academic and Service Accomplishments: Finished career as Washburn’s all-time leader in total tackles with 473, which is third all-time in NCAA Division II history and the most in MIAA history for a career since the 2000 season when NCAA recognized defensive tackles ... his 10.5 tackles per game is 9th in total tackles in a career ... overall he has received All-American honors six times as a 2009 American Football Coaches Association First Team All-American ... 2009 CoSIDA/Daktronics Second Team All-American ... 2008 and 2009 Football Gazette Second Team All-American ... 2008, 2009 D2Football.com Honorable Mention All-American ... has earned 2009 CoSIDA/Daktronics Regional Defensive Player of the Year ... 2008 and 2009 CoSIDA/Daktronics First Team All-Region...  2007 CoSIDA/Daktronics Second Team All-Region ... 2007, 2008 and 2009 Football Gazette First Team All-Region ... a three-time first team All- MIAA selection in 2007, 2008 and 2009 ... was a second team All-MIAA pick in 2006 ... was named the MIAA’s Freshman of the Year in 2006 ... a two-time Ichabod Defensive Player of the Year ... 228 solo tackles is the most all-time at Washburn ... 245 assisted tackles is second in school history ... ranks in 13 defensive career top 10 categories at Washburn ... ranks in 18 defensive single season top 10 categories at Washburn ... a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection ... a 2008 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American ...  served as a tutor for the football team ... a Special Olympics Volunteer ... volunteer at the Capper Foundation in Topeka ... volunteer coach at the Washburn Blue Crew Football Camp.

Other Men's Nominees
Brennan Benkert, Senior, Missouri Southern, Cross Country/Track & Field, St. Clair, Mo.
Jay Nuñez, Senior, Pittsburg State, Football, Alva, Okla.
Chance Tuttle, Senior, Central Missouri, Baseball, Sapulpa, Okla.

Other Women's Nominees
Katrina Biermann, Senior, Truman, Track & Field, Liberty, Mo.
Emily Churchman, Senior, Northwest Missouri, Track & Field, Parkville, Mo.
Kate Hampson, Senior, Washburn, Volleyball, Fort Collins, Colo.
Shannon Pivovar, Senior, Missouri Western, Softball, Omaha, Neb.
Anja Puc, Junior, Nebraska-Omaha, Track & Field, Medvode, Slovenia
Darcie Schmitz, Junior, Fort Hays State, Indoor Track & Field, Baileyville, Kan.