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PROVO, Utah (April 10, 2007) -- Hundreds of BYU athletes, fans and athletic department employees gathered for the annual Cougar Club Y Awards Tuesday to pay tribute to the top student-athletes, coaches and volunteers during the 2006-07 season.
The ceremony will be televised nationally on BYUTV on Friday, May 4 at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The program will also be shown on Saturday, May 12 at 2 p.m. and on Saturday, May 21 at 11 a.m.
Comedian Keith Stubbs entertained those in attendance while the "Voice of the Cougars" Greg Wrubell hosted the awards. Awards were presented by different coaches, players and staff.
The winners among the nominated BYU student-athletes were selected by a vote of their student-athlete peers and represent the finest accomplishments and performances over the past 12 months.
Kicking off the event, the award for Female Rookie of the Year was the first given out. As Andrea Willis earned the title, the star freshman on the women's soccer team was named to the Freshman All-America team and honored as the MWC Freshman of the Year.
Freshman Chris Carter was named Male Rookie of the Year for his performance on the track team. Carter finished first in his event at the MWC Championships and third at the NCAA Championships. He is also the only athlete in BYU history to have won a gold medal at the World Championships.
The men's football team received the honor of Men's Team of the Year. The team ended the season ranked 15th according to the USA Today Coaches Poll after winning the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl over Oregon. The team also won the MWC title after going undefeated in league play.
The men's football team stole the show earning the most awards.
Senior Jonny Harline won the Ed Stein Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award. Harline has received All-America and All-MWC honors as well as being awarded MVP of the Las Vegas Bowl.
Cornerback Ben Criddle was named Walk-On of the Year for his performance on the football team. Criddle started in all 12 regular-season games and had 53 tackles.
Cameron Jensen was the third member of the football team to receive a Y Award. Jensen was honored with the Dale McCann Spirit of Sport Award. The senior led BYU with 107 tackles as well as racking up four sacks, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and three pass deflections. Jensen was also named to the All-MWC First Team.
The football team also gained honors with winning Play of the Year. A pass made by John Beck to Jonny Harline as time expired to defeat Utah was unforgettable.
The women's basketball also received Team of the Year honors. The basketball team clinched the title of MWC Champions and made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The Female Athlete of Year was awarded to swimmer Angela Goodson. Team captain of the women's team, Goodson is an All-American who competed in the NCAA Championships. She has received 18 All-MWC awards in her three-year career.
Cross country National Champion Josh Rohatinsky won the Male Athlete of the Year award. Rohatinsky has received All-America honors three times and was named the USTFCCCA Athlete of the Year this season.
Volleyball co-captain Chelsea Goodman received the Female Crowd Pleaser award for the second year in a row. Goodman is an All-American who led the MWC in kills per game and in points.
Senior Keena Young was awarded the Male Crowd Pleaser award. Young was named the MWC MVP in men's basketball and was BYU's top rebounder and scorer.
Swimmer Brittany Davis-Burk won the Lu Wallace Outstanding Senior Female Athlete Award. Burk has won nine MWC individual titles and has been a part of winning six relay titles in her four-year career.
Daniel Summerhays, from the men's golf team, received the Cougar Club Memorial Junior Award. Summerhays is ranked 11th nationally and is the top golfer in the MWC all while maintaining a 3.9 GPA in business.
The first ever Comeback Player of the Year was given to cross country star Kassi Anderson. Anderson came back to place sixth at the cross country National Championships after suffering from a broken pelvis.
Senior Lauren Jones received the Leona Holbrook Spirit of Sport Award. Jones gained the award for not only excelling at tennis but for showing the true spirit of sport in athletics and in life.
Katie Montgomery was given the Floyd Johnson Service Award for her service with the Student Athletic Council. Montgomery was honored as the SAC president and for her service on the Cougar Council.
The Kimball Memorial Award was given to Hayley Jensen. The Memorial Award is given out each year to an athlete who is active in his or her sport as well as having the highest scholarly achievement of those who qualify. Jensen was awarded the honor in part to her skills on the balance beam and vault as well as her 4.0 GPA in Neuroscience.
Several coaches were also honored at the Cougar Club Y Awards.
Men's basketball coach Dave Rose was named Coach of the Year after taking his team to the NCAA Tournament and winning programs first outright leaque title since 1988. Rose was named the MWC Coach of the Year for the second time in as many seasons, becoming the first-ever BYU men's basketball coach to win back-to-back league coach-of-the-year honors.
"I would really like to thank our players," said Rose. "What a great team. I am proud to say I am their coach."
David DeSantis was named Assistant Coach of the Year. DeSantis is the assistant coach over women's golf and has helped lead the team to No. 16 national ranking.
Football head coach Bronco Mendenhall won the Dale Rex Memorial Award. The Award is given to the individual thought to have contributed the most to amateur athletics in the state of Utah. Mendenhall has not only contributed to a whirlwind season but also coaches youth and spreads the mission of BYU through devotionals.
"It is my pleasure to represent this institution and this faith," said Mendenhall. "It has been an experience that has truly changed my life."
The gymnastics team received the Y Games award for being the team who attends the most games of other teams.
Carol and Richard Russon were named the Volunteers of the Year for their work with the women's volleyball and basketball teams. The Russon's have been heavily involved in each of the home games of these two sports over the past seven years.
Below is a description of each award and its winner(s).
Female Rookie of the Year This award is given to the freshman student athlete who contributes the most in his or her freshman or redshirt freshman of the year.
Andrea Willis -- Soccer
- Freshman All-American
- MWC Freshman of the Year
- Led Cougar defense to No. 12 NCAA in team defense and goals against average
Male Rookie of the Year This award is given to the freshman student athlete who contributes the most in his or her freshman or redshirt freshman of the year.
Chris Carter -- Track and Field
- Having never run the 400-meter hurdles before last season, Carter ran the second-fastest time in BYU history; second to only World Record Holder, Ralph Mann
- Finished first at the MWC Championships and third at the NCAA Championships
- Won Gold for the USA at the World Junior Track and Field Championships in Beijing in the 400 hurdles and anchored the 4x400-meter relay team that won gold. He is the only athlete in BYU history to win a gold medal at the World Championships.
Ed Stein Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award The oldest recognition bestowed upon a BYU male athlete; given to the senior who has most clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship.
Jonny Harline -- Football
- 2006 Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl MVP
- 2006 First-Team All-American
- 2006 First-Team All-Mountain West Conference
Lu Wallace Outstanding Senior Female Athlete Award The oldest recognition bestowed upon a BYU female athlete; this award is annually given to the senior who has most clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship.
Brittany Davis-Burk --Swimming
- Two-time NCAA Qualifier
- At the 2007 MWCC Davis-Burk won individual titles in the 100 back (55.67) and 200 back (159.99), won relay titles in the 400 medley relay, 400 free relay and 800 free relay and placed second in the 500 free (4:54.83) and 200 medley relay. In total, she won seven All-MWC awards.
- For her career Davis-Burk has won nine MWC individual titles and six relay titles. She won the 200 back four straight years. She holds BYU records in the 100 and 200 backstroke and in the 400 medley relay, 400 free relay and the 800 free relay.
Walk-On of the Year This award is given to one non-scholarship athlete at BYU who plays a significant role on his or her team.
Ben Criddle -- Football
- Started at cornerback in all 12 regular-season games
- Sixth-leading tackler on the roster with 53 tackles
- Credited with two interceptions and nine deflections during the season
Cougar Club Memorial Junior Award Established in memory of eight Cougar Club members who lost their lives in an airplane crash at the Point of the Mountain in November of 1965; given to an outstanding junior male or female athlete with high scholarly achievement.
Daniel Summerhays -- Men's Golf
- After having his best fall season to date, Daniel Summerhays is the top golfer in the MWC and is ranked 11th nationally by Golfweek
- He was named to the 2006-07 Golf World Mid-Season All-American First Team
- Has maintained a 3.9 GPA as a business major
Crowd Pleaser -- Male Presented to the male athlete whose enthusiasm and outstanding performance have given extra excitement to the crowd.
Keena Young -- Men's Basketball
- MWC Player of the Year and BYU's leading scorer and rebounder
- Key go-to performer for the league-champion Cougars, shooting 55 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the line
- Despite relatively short 6-foot-6 height for a post player, Young dominated inside with his quickness, shooting touch and toughness. He always gives maximum effort.
Crowd Pleaser -- Female Presented to the female athlete whose enthusiasm and outstanding performance have given extra excitement to the crowd.
Chelsea Goodman -- Volleyball
- As BYU's co-captain, Goodman led the MWC with 4.49 kills per game, the most by a Cougar since 1997, and paced the league in points
- Named the MWC Player of the Week twice, All-MWC, All-West Region and All-America (Volleyball Magazine, AVCA) while leading her team to a second round NCAA Tournament appearance
- Recorded a league-leading 18 double-doubles on the season while pacing the Cougars in kills 14 times, including seven outings with 20 or more kills
Comeback Player of the Year
Given to the male or female athlete who comes back to make an impact on Cougar Athletics
Kassi Andersen -- Cross Country
- Continued competition after serving a mission in Ohio
- After suffering a broken pelvis, came back to place sixth at the cross country National Championships
- Placed sixth at NCAA Championship
Floyd Johnson Service Award Given to male or female athlete who make a positive impact in the community and among their teammates.
Katie Montgomery -- Track and Field
- SAC president
- Cougar Council
- Scholar Athlete
Leona Holbrook Spirit of Sport Award Presented in memory of Dr. Leona B. Holbrook; this award is given to the female athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and in life.
Lauren Jones -- Tennis
* Recently beat the No. 38 player in the nation and is the consummate competitor. Her confidence is rarely shaken and constantly wants to play against the toughest competition. * Currently 2-3 against nationally ranked players * Reached the final match in the doubles competition of the ITA Regional Championships and the quarterfinals in the singles competition
Dale McCann Spirit of Sport Award Presented in memory of Dale R. McCann; this award is given to the senior male athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and in life.
Cameron Jensen -- Football
- 2006 First-Team All-MWC
- Led BYU with 107 tackles as well as racking up four sacks, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and three pass deflections
- 2006 Academic All-MWC
Play of the Year In athletic competition, there are moments where incredible performances engrave themselves into our memory. This category honors some of the truly extraordinary plays made this year.
John Beck pass to Jonny Harline to win against Utah
Female Athlete of the Year Given to the female athlete who demonstrates the competitive spirit of desire, dedication and determination, leading her to the top of competition and serving as an inspiration to both teammates and fans.
Angela Goodson -- Swimming
- Swimming All-American, Team Captain.
- At the 2007 MWCC Goodson won individual titles in the 100 fly (54.29), 200 fly (2:01.22), and 200 IM (2:03.16). She won relay titles in the 400 medley relay and 800 free relay. She took second in 200 medley relay and third in 200 free relay. In total, she earned seven All-MWC awards and has 18 All-MWC in her three-year Cougar career.
- At the 2007 NCAA Championships Goodson set two BYU and MWC records in the 100 and 200 butterfly events. She placed 15th in the 100 fly, earning All-American honors. She holds BYU records in the 100 fly (53.26), 200 fly (1:59.29), 400 medley relay, 400 free relay and 800 free relay.
Male Athlete of the Year Given to the male athlete who demonstrates the competitive spirit of desire, dedication and determination, leading him to the top of competition and serving as an inspiration to both teammates and fans.
Josh Rohatinsky -- Cross Country
- Cross country National Champion
- Three-time All-American
- USTFCCCA Athlete of the Year
Kimball Memorial Award Established to honor Eddie and Rod Kimball and their brother, Vaughn, who was killed in World War II; given to an outstanding male or female athlete who letters at least twice and who has the highest scholarly achievement of those who qualify.
Hayley Jensen -- Gymnastics
- 4.0 GPA in Neuroscience
- Career highs of 9.800 on vault and 9.775 on balance beam
Y Games Award A Y Game was designated on each BYU team's schedule this season and student-athletes from the other Cougar teams were encouraged to attend that game to show their support. This award is given to the team that showed the most support at the Y Games during the year.
Gymnastics
Volunteers of the Year Given in recognition of volunteers who selflessly serve the BYU Athletic Department without thought of recognition or reward.
Richard and Carol Russon
Assistant Coach of the Year This award is annually given to an outstanding BYU assistant coach.
David DeSantis -- Women's Golf
Coach of the Year This award is annually given to an outstanding BYU head coach.
Dave Rose -- Men's Basketball
Team of the Year Given annually to the outstanding men's and women's team of the year.
Women's -- Women's Basketball
Men's -- Football
Dale Rex Memorial Award Given annually to the individual thought by the Cougar Club to have contributed most to amateur athletics in the state of Utah.
Bronco Mendenhall -- Football
National Champion
Josh Rohatinsky
National Champion Josh McAdams
