CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State Department of Athletics and the Student-Athlete Advisory Council hosted the 6th Annual VESPY Awards on Wednesday night in the Student Center Ballroom.
The awards ceremony honors the achievements of CSU student-athletes from the season.
Men's basketball standout Tyree Appleby claimed the first award of the night as the Freshman of the Year. A member of the Horizon League All-Freshman Team, Appleby helped lead the Vikings to the championship game of the League tournament as the No. 8 seed. He finished the year averaging 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
The men's tennis team won the inaugural award for Best Social Media Post for their celebration after winning the Horizon League Championship.
Volleyball coach Chuck Voss won his second career VESPY as Coach of the Year after leading the squad to its third straight League title and fifth overall. The 2017 Horizon League Coach of the Year, he guided the Vikings to their eighth 20-win season under his guidance.
The men's lacrosse team received the Community Service Award after combining for more than 1,000 hours of service this year, including the St. Jude's 5K, the Cleveland Municipal School Field Day, hosting Lacrosse Academies and youth coaching.
Senior Gabe Stark won the first Best Game Face Award for his reaction after a pin against Eastern Michigan.
Junior women's swimming Molly McNamara won Best Individual Performance for her performance at the Horizon League Championship. The Horizon League Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Year, McNamara won two events at the League championship with NCAA qualifying times and broke school record in all five events she competed in.
The women's basketball team won the Best Game Award for its 71-60 win over 19th-ranked Green Bay, while junior MacJilton Lewis received the Bleed Green Award. Jilton, one of the most highly visible students on CSU's campus, will serve as SAAC President in 2018-19.
The Best Sport Moment was presented to the men's basketball team for its run to the Horizon League Championship Game. Seeded eighth, the Vikings won three straight games – knocking off ninth-seeded Youngstown State, top-seeded and defending champ Northern Kentucky and fourth-seeded Oakland – to become the second highest seeded team to play for a title.
Senior volleyball setter Gina Kilner was voted Female Athlete of the Year, while sophomore men's tennis standout Nico Mostardi won Male Athlete of the Year.
The Horizon League Setter of the Year, Kilner was a First Team All-Horizon League and AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region pick after helping CSU to its third straight League title. Mostardi was named the Horizon League Player of the Year after leading the team to its first League title in five years. He was a five-time Horizon League Player of the Week and has a 26-7 record.
Senior women's golfer Sophie Kelner won the Ms. Viking Award, while senior men's basketball player Kenny Carpenter claimed the Mr. Viking Award. The awards are presented to the CSU student-athletes that represent what it means to be the ultimate Viking through commitment to academics, athletic performance and in the community.
Kelner concluded her career ranked fourth in school history with an 80.9 scoring average and was a second team all-league pick as a junior after helping the team to the first League title in program history. She served as the President of CSU SAAC, Horizon League SAAC secretary and sits on the Horizon League resources cabinet. Kelner is highly committed to CSU, leading student-athletes to an overall enjoyable experience and is often seen at most sporting and department events. In addition, she provides assistance for ESPN3 broadcasts. A double major in Film/Digital Media and Journalism/Promotional Communications, Kelner has a 3.6 GPA and has consistently been on the Dean's List during her time at CSU.
Carpenter was the heart and soul of the men's basketball program this year and throughout his career. A team captain this year, he helped mentor and lead a youthful squad that showed improvement as the year went on. He was one of the most improved players in the Horizon League this year, capping his career by leading the team to the championship game of the League tournament. In four games, he averaged 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists, earning a spot on the all-tournament team. Carpenter consistently participates in community service projects, SAAC meetings and is often seen at other sporting events to support fellow student-athletes. He is a communications management major.
2017-18 VESPY AWARD WINNERS
Freshman of the Year: Tyree Appleby, Men's Basketball
Best Social Media Post: Men's Tennis Horizon League Championship Celebration
Coach of the Year: Chuck Voss, Volleyball
Community Service Award: Men's Lacrosse
Best Game Face: Gabe Stark, Wrestling
Best Individual Performance: Molly McNamara at Horizon League Swimming Championship
Best Game: Women's Basketball Defeats Nationally-Ranked Green Bay
Bleed Green/Viking Spring Award: MacJilton Lewis, Men's Swimming
Best Sport Moment: Men's Basketball Horizon League Championship Run
Female Athlete of the Year: Gina Kilner, Volleyball
Male Athlete of the Year: Nico Mostardi, Men's Tennis
Ms. Viking: Sophie Kelner, Women's Golf
Mr. Viking: Kenny Carpenter, Men's Basketball
