The Griffon News

 Missouri Western State University hosted its ninth annual student-athlete honors banquet. The banquet was held at the Fulkerson Center and an estimated 380 people were in attendance.

 The two big awards were male athlete of the year and female athlete of the year. Missouri Western football player Patrick St. Louis won the male athlete of the year for his stellar career on the field and in the classroom. St. Louis was the center for the football team this season. He has been a key contributor to the Griffons offensive line. Roger Allen and him have helped anchor the offensive line the last few seasons. He graduated high school from Belton high school in Belton, Mo. His major is physical education.

Missouri Western basketball player Jill Johnson was named women’s athlete of the year for achievements on the court and in the classroom. Johnson has been a major contributor to the women’s basketball program, including being a starter her junior year on the team that posted a 30-4 record. Johnson felt honored to win the award.

 “It’s something that I looked at when I went to the banquet as a freshman and said I want to be up there,” Johnson said. “I finally got to stand up there and represent the female athlete.”

 Missouri Western also gave out the James J. McMillen Award. The award goes to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average. Missouri Western basketball player Chemia Woods won the award by having a 3.81 grade point average. She was a key contributor to the women’s basketball team the last few seasons. This year she led the Griffons in assists per game. Woods reflecting on her time at Missouri Western thinks these last four years were perfect.

 “I don’t have any regrets, these last three years being a Griffon have been great,” Woods said. “Based on the people I have met and the success I have had through basketball.”

 Missouri Western also honored a student athlete of the year from each athletic program. This has been an annual event for the Western University. Kristy Pechous was named the tennis athlete of the year. Pechous hometown is Phoenix, Az., and her major is elementary education. She has been in the tennis program for the last two seasons. She came to Western after spending two seasons at Scotts­dale Community College.

 Aaron Lisenbee was named men’s golf athlete of the year. Lisenbee has been the top golfer on the team the last two seasons. He is from Savannah, Mo. and his major is physical education. Lisenbee also captured his first tournament victory this season.

 Kim Evans won the women’s golf athlete of the year. Evans is from Cameron, Mo., and her major is music education. She is the lone senior on the women’s golf team this season and has helped the team this season.
 Kristi Warneke was named softball athlete of the year. Warneke, who transferred from the University of Kentucky, has been a key player for the softball team since her arrival. She is from Beatrice, Neb., and her major is biology.

 Tommy Bone was named baseball athlete of the year. Bone has been an all-conference player the past three seasons. Bone is from Atwater, Cal.

Alyssa Berg was named athlete of the year in volleyball. Berg has been one of the better players for the Griffons the last few seasons. She has over 1,000 kills in her career. She is from Bellevue, NE. and her major is in Health.

 Shaylynn Milbourn was named athlete of the year for soccer. She is from St. Joseph, Mo., and her major is elementary education. 

Keion Kindred was named men’s basketball athlete of the year. Kindred is from Los Angeles, Cal.
 The banquet was hosted by Stephen St. John a sports talk radio show host for WHB 810 sports in Kansas City. It was night full of  memories and a look into the future.