ST. JOSEPH – The accomplishments of Missouri Western teams, student-athletes and coaches were honored Monday night at the 19th Annual St. Joseph News-Press Golden Griffon Awards.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the event was held at the historic Missouri Theater in downtown St. Joseph. The big honors of the night went to the 2017-18 male and female Student-Athletes of the Year. Griffon Football’s Jonathan Owens was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year while Griffon Soccer’s Bridget Blessie was named Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Another highlight of the night came when director of athletics Josh Looney surprised members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee panel with the announcement of a matching donation, allowing SAAC to grant a wish for a child during the 2018-19 academic year as part of the organization’s Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraising efforts.

Award Winners and Nominees
Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Jonathan Owens (Football)
Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Bridget Blessie (Soccer)
Dr. James J. McMillen Award: Kayla Ruff (Volleyball)
Baseball Nominee: Kellan Richards
Men’s Basketball Nominee: Cole Clearman
Women’s Basketball Nominee: Melia Richardson
Cheer Squad Nominee: Kaley Dittemore
Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field Nominee: Phil Thompson
Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field Nominee: Kaitlyn Shoemaker
Football Nominee: Jonathan Owens
Men’s Golf Nominee: Patrick McCarthy
Women’s Golf Nominee: Tiffanie Yabut
Soccer Nominee: Bridget Blessie
Softball Nominee: Shelbie Atwell
Tennis Nominee: Karolina Ström
Volleyball Nominee: Kayla Ruff

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Choice Awards
SAAC Volunteer of the Year: Audrey Keim (Volleyball/Tennis)
Coach of the Year: Chad Edwards (Soccer)
Team of the Year: Volleyball
Best Actor in a GSI Feature: Marian Carbin for “The Prank”
Griff Up Award: Paige Phipps (Soccer/Women’s Basketball)
Most Intriguing Moment: Football ringing the bell for the first time

— MWSU Athletics —