Sports

Rifle, men’s basketball among those honored at Catspy Awards

April 26, 2011

The ninth-annual Catspy Awards for UK athletics were held Monday night in Memorial Coliseum. The Catspy Awards are an annual awards banquet, similar to ESPN’s ESPY Awards. They were created by UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart in 2003 to honor the student-athletes and coaches at UK for their accomplishments during the school year.

Among the teams honored at the awards ceremony were the men’s basketball team and the national champion rifle team. The two teams shared the Teams of the Year award on Monday night, with men’s basketball coach John Calipari forfeiting his time at the podium to rifle coach Harry Mullins, who received a standing ovation by coaches, athletes and fans alike.

“The hard work the team put in is tremendous,” Mullins said. “To bring a national title home to Kentucky, being a Kentucky alum, is very special.”

This year’s Catspy Awards were co-hosted by ESPN’s Jay Crawford, who normally hosts ESPN’s morning show “First Take” and sports debate show “First and 10.” The awards were presented by fellow UK athletes and coaches, and ranged from the Character Award to the Community Service Award, from the Blue Heart Award to the Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.

The 2011 Coaches of the Year Award was shared by Calipari, Mullins and UK softball coach Rachel Lawson, who’s team is primed to make their third straight NCAA tournament appearance in 2011.

“I’m pretty lucky, I have a good team,” Lawson said upon receiving the award.

The K-Association Male and Female Athletes of the Year were awarded to women’s basketball senior Victoria Dunlap and UK wide receiver Randall Cobb. Dunlap was recently selected 11th overall in this year’s WNBA draft, the highest selection ever by a UK player. Cobb was invited to attend this weekend’s NFL draft after being named an all-American during his junior season.

“The way I play, I just try to motivate my team on and off the field,” Cobb said.

The most prestigious award of the night was once again Mr. and Miss Wildcat. This year’s recipients – Lauren Rapp of the volleyball team and Megan Yocke of the softball team, who shared the title of Miss Wildcat, and Eric Quigley of the men’s tennis team – were grateful for the honor.

“This award means a lot,” Yocke said. “I just hope our team goes further than it has the last two years.”

“I couldn’t do this without all the help of my teammates and coaches,” said Quigley, who is now ranked No. 3 in the nation and has knocked off two No. 1 players in his career. “They all helped me so much and I couldn’t do it without them.”

As the school year draws to a close, the Catspy Award provided Big Blue Nation with a chance to reflect on the seasons of their favorite teams and appreciate the hard work that is put in throughout the year by the student-athletes and coaches. Of the 22 varsity sports at UK, five teams and 21 athletes were recognized.

2011 Catspy Awards results:

1. Character Award

Caitlyn Ciokajlo (Gymnastics)

2. Community Service Award

Ashleigh Gustafson (Softball)

Josh Nadzam (Track and Field/Cross Country)

3. Supporting Role

Megan Moir (Women’s Golf)

4. Female Scholar Athlete of the Year

Kayla Sergesketter (Women’s Swimming and Diving)

5. Male Scholar Athlete of the Year

T.J. Daugherty (Baseball)