Oklahoma State University Athletics
Vail, Odenyo Receive OSU Student-Athlete of the Year Awards
April 16, 2009 | Cowgirl Soccer
STILLWATER, Okla. - Senior cross-country standout Ryan Vail was honored as Oklahoma State's Male Student-Athlete of the Year, while senior soccer star Yolanda Odenyo received the female award as OSU hosted its 16th annual Student-Athlete Academic Awards Banquet earlier this week.
In addition to the student-athlete of the year awards, both Vail and Odenyo were recognized as ESPN the Magazine Academic All-Americans in 2008, as well as fellow Oklahoma State athletes Danielle Green (women's basketball), Jessica Jarrell (women's soccer) and Jamie Markaverich (women's soccer).
The event, held annually in the Wes Watkins Center on the Oklahoma State campus, honors student athletes for their work in the classroom.
Oklahoma State had 77 student athletes earn academic all-Big 12 status over the past year and seven sports were recognized as All-Academic teams during that time span. Twelve OSU student-athletes were honored for maintaining perfect 4.0 grade-point averages.
"It takes a lot of work to be a successful student-athlete," said OSU Director of Athletics Mike Holder. "Those recognized at the banquet represent the brightest stars in the athletic department. Their success is a tribute to their commitment, work ethic, and the support they received from the academic support staff.
Vail is pursuing a master's degree in international studies after earning undergraduate degrees in political science and Spanish. He earned cross country All-America honors each of the past two years and was an outdoor track and field All-American in the 5,000 meters in 2008. He was also the 2008 Big 12 indoor champion in the 3,000 meters. Vail helped lead OSU to its first Big12 men's cross country championship in November.
Odenyo led the Cowgirls to their first Big 12 soccer championship in 2008 and was a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, which is awarded to the women's soccer national player of the year. She was the Big 12 Conference offensive player of the year and led league in goals and points. She earned a degree in family relations and child development and is pursuing a master's in international studies.
Twelve OSU student Â-athletes were honored for maintaining perfect 4.0 grade-point averages.
2008-2009 Student Athlete Academic Honors
OSU Male Student-Athlete of the Year
Ryan Vail, Men's Cross Country/Track
OSU Female Student-Athlete of the Year
Yolanda Odenyo, Women's Soccer
Nate Fleming Award (Excellence after overcoming personal obstacles)
Andrea Riley, Women's Basketball
James Anderson, Men's Basketball
Big 12/Chick-Fil-A Award (Community service efforts)
Yolanda Odenyo, Women's Soccer
Kendall Horner, Baseball
Matt Barnes-Smith, Men's Cross Country
2008 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars (3.2 GPA minimum with community and campus service)
Danielle Green, Women's Basketball
Kilee Stewart, Women's Equestrian
Yolanda Odenyo, Women's Soccer
Samantha Heinlein, Softball
Yawna Allen, Women's Tennis
Brittany Mason (Hill), Women's Track
Raeanna Devey, Women's Track
Kalea Tam, Women's Track
Deleanor Kirkpatrick, Women's Track
Kendall Horner, Baseball
Brian Gosnell, Men's Track
Terry Josserand, Men's Track
Alejandro Ruiz, Men's Track
Newly McSpadden, Wrestling
OSU Alumni Association "Senior of Significance" Award
Megan Byford, Women's Basketball
Seb Clements, Football
Yolanda Odenyo, Women's Soccer
Jacqueline Roberts, Equestrian
Academic All-Americans/All-Scholars for 2008
Danielle Green, Women's Basketball
Amanda Johnson, Women's Golf
Karin Kinnerud, Women's Golf
Pernilla Lindberg, Women's Golf
Yolanda Odenyo, Women's Soccer
Jessica Jarrell, Women's Soccer
Jamie Markaverich, Women's Soccer
Amanda Crabtree, Softball
Kim Kaye, Softball
Heather Kim, Softball
Baiba Blumbaha, Women's Track
Tone Hjalmarsen, Women's Track
Deleanor Kirkpatrick, Women's Track
Alina Roman, Women's Track
Eva Tomankova, Women's Track
Matt Barnes, Smith, Men's Track
David Jankowski, Men's Track
Terry Josserand, Men's Track
Ryan Vail, Men's Track
Trent Leon, Men's Golf
Brandon Mason, Wrestling
Newly McSpadden, Wrestling
Nathan Morgan, Wrestling
All-Academic Teams for 2008
2008 USTCCCA Women's All-Academic Cross Country Team Award
2008 USTCCCA Women's All-Academic Track Team Award
2008 USTCCCA Men's All-Academic Cross Country Team Award (11th consecutive year)
2008 USTCCCA Men's all-Academic Track Team Award
2008 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team
2008 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Collegiate Team Academic Award
2008 National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association Academic Team Award
Senior Chair Winners (Top Senior Scholars For Each Sport)
Sebastian Clements, Football
Taylor Hardeman, Women's Basketball
Jessica Jarrell, Soccer
Joe Kent, Baseball
Heather Kim, Softball
Karin Kinnerud, Women's Golf
Trent Leon, Men's Golf
Brandon Mason, Wrestling
Oleksandr Nedovyesov, Men's Tennis
Jacqueline Roberts, Equestrian
Tihana Sarac, Women's Track/Cross Country
Andy Shaw, Men's Basketball
Maryana Tkachenko, Women's Tennis
Ryan Vail, Men's Track/Cross Country
Other Honors
• The 51 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Awards received by OSU student-athletes over the past four years ranks fourth in the nation. OSU also leads the Big 12 Conference (Texas and Nebraska are tied for second with 28 each).
• Six teams led the conference in academic All-Big 12 selections, and four additional teams finished second.
• OSU had 24 Academic All-Americans/Scholar-Athletes named in 2008.
• OSU had 77 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big 12.
• Six student-athletes earned postgraduate scholarships (OSU record).
• OSU had 7 sports earn All-Academic team in 2008.
• 23 student-athletes were named to the President's Honor Roll in Spring 2008, and 35 student-athletes were named to the list in Fall 2008.
• 58 student-athletes were named to the Dean's Honor Roll (3.0 or above) in Spring 2008, and 228 student-athletes earned the distinction in Fall 2008.
• Men's Cross Country earned All-Academic honors for the 11th consecutive year.
• OSU Soccer had 3 student-athletes earn ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American honors (the most by one sport at OSU since softball earned the distinction in 1991).
• OSU Men's Cross Country earned All-Academic team for 11th year in a row (OSU team record).
• OSU Women's Soccer and Women's Track has earned All-Academic team honors for 7 years in a row.
• Women's Track/Cross Country leads all OSU sports with 15 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars.
• 12 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars for men's track and cross country leads all OSU men's sports.
