LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The University of Kentucky Athletics Association presented 25 honors at the sixth-annual CATSPY Awards, held Monday April 20 at Memorial Coliseum to recognize athletic and academic performance during the 2007-08 year. With co-winners in some categories, a total of seven teams and 25 individuals were recognized. Jay Crawford of ESPN and Christi Thomas of WKYT served as co-hosts of the event. Senior gymnast Crissy Cannon (Lenoir City, Tenn.) was given multiple honors throughout the night.
Cannon was given the honor of being the first speaker during the evening, welcoming the 490 student-athletes in attendance as well as the public. She also introduced Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart.
The Tennessee native appeared on stage several more times, being honored for her hard work during the season. She was named Miss Wildcat along with football?s Jacob Tamme and Wesley Woodyard who were named as co-winners of Mr. Wildcat. The honor is give for all-around excellence in athletics, academics, character and service. Cannon earlier in the year had been give the Hamm Character Award and was also named to the SEC Good Works Team, honors also based on similar fundamentals. Cannon?s extraordinary work inside and out of her community has continuously made her stand out amongst her peers.
?Through doing various services in the community, I feel I have been able to grasp the opportunity we are given through athletics, and the impacts we can make on others lives while competing at the University of Kentucky,? Cannon stated. ?It allows me to refocus and make the most of everyday, because I see people who are so full of joy amidst very tough circumstances. It is a daily reminder that each day is a day to cherish.”
Cannon was given a second honor on the evening with the Community Service Award. Recipients of this award embody the ?spirit of giving?. The senior also received a $1,000 post-graduate scholarship presented by 5/3 Bank.
Also being recognized at the CATSPY event were the gymnasts who performed the floor exercise during Senior Night against Arizona and Western Michigan. All six athletes were awarded the Female Play of the Year. The team?s performance during the tri-meet earned them their highest overall score at home with a 195.925. The floor exercise had been the Cats? best event all year, being ranked as high as No. 5 on the season. Sophomores Emilie Rymer, Emily Green, Hillary Ferguson, junior Heather Hite, and freshmen Andrea Mitchell and Madison Snowden all showed top performances for a total of 49.275. The score ranks among UK?s top-10 floor totals. Ferguson took the event title with a career high mark of 9.925.
For complete coverage of Wildcat gymnastics, please visit www.ukathletics.com.
