135 CSU Student-Athletes Honored For Academic Success

CLEVELAND, Ohio - A total of 135 student-athletes, representing all 16 intercollegiate sports sponsored at Cleveland State University, were recognized for their academic accomplishments at the 22nd annual John Konstantinos Athletic Academic Honors Luncheon, which was held on Thursday afternoon in the Henry Goodman Arena in the Wolstein Center and sponsored by Huntington Bank, Medical Mutual and Cleveland Clinic Sports Health.

"The student-athletes that we honor today are the best of the best, those who are able to balance academics and athletics and excel in both," CSU Director of Athletics John Parry said. "To see over half of our student-athletes being honored for having over a 3.0 grade point average speaks highly about the goals and missions of Cleveland State University."

The 135 student-athletes were recognized for maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better through the end of the fall, 2011 semester.

Several additional awards were handed out at the luncheon. Women's swimming standout Carys Behn (Westville, South Africa) received the 12th annual John McLendon Award, which is given to the student-athlete who best represents the ideals and personal philosophy of McLendon, a former CSU men's basketball coach who is an enshrinee in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Behn earned the honor after finishing her career as a member of the winningest class in the history of the women's swimming and diving team. Behn placed in the top-three in three individual events at the 2012 Horizon League Championships to help the team place second - the best mark in program history. She leaves the program as the school record holder in the 100 (50.23), 200 (1:48.05) and 1,000 (10:18.76) free events while also swimming on the best 200 medley (1:41.68) and 800 free (7:26.29) relay teams in program history.

In addition, she was the driving force behind several of the swimming and diving program's fund raising efforts for charity.

Volleyball middle hitter Megan Barhorst (Maria Stein, Ohio) received the President's Award as the graduating senior student-athlete with the highest grade point average. Barhorst has a 3.95 GPA and will graduate in May with a degree in art. She is one of seven graduating seniors with a 3.90 GPA or better.

The "Best of the Best" Team Award, which is given to the sport having the highest team grade point average in the department, went to women's cross country for the second straight year. The 13 cross country student-athletes combined for a 3.55 team GPA.

The cross country squad also received the Horizon League Sportsmanship Award, which is presented annually to the team or individual that exemplifies and continuously promotes integrity and sportsmanship. The squad is often been lauded for their work both on and off the field of play.

The softball team won the Horizon League Community Service award, given to the team that exhibits outstanding support and care to our community at-large. The squad has logged more than 500 hours of community service hours this year at places that include the Cleveland Food Bank, the Girl Scouts, the Salvation Army and conducting clinics for children.

Forty-three student-athletes received additional recognition for being a member of the Dean's List during every term they have attended at CSU, including Barhorst, Andria Bazilevich (cross country), Behn, Catrine Bjerrehus (women's tennis), Natalie Daniels (women's soccer), Matt DiMasso (men's diving), Brittany Elmlinger (cross country), Jordan Goad (volleyball), Christopher Koy (men's soccer), Kaila Montgomery (women's basketball), Samantha Salamon (women's soccer), Kourtney Volkmer (volleyball) and Kelly Zaleski (cross country), all of whom have been on the Dean's List for seven consecutive terms.