Central Celebrates Student-Athletes

UCO Honors More Than 200 Student-Athletes For Their Achievements In The Classroom

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma athletic department hosted Wednesday night its annual Student-Athlete Academic Awards Banquet, honoring over 200 student-athletes for the achievements in the classroom.

Central recognized 177 student-athletes that maintained a 3.0 grade point average over the previous two semesters, as well as two dozen more that maintained a 4.0 GPA.

UCO recognized 10 recipients of the Donald & Shigeko Burget Scholarship in addition to handing out awards for Most Outstanding Male and Female Student-Athlete, the Grace Shin Courage Award, and the prestigious Presidential Award.

Taryn Kedzior and Kelsey Johnson were both named Outstanding Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Both had very similar resumes in the classroom, in the community, and on the field and court.

Kedzior starred on the soccer field for the Bronchos, leading UCO back to the national tournament for the third time in her four-year career. She was named MIAA Defender of the Year and earned All-American honors following the season.

Johnson starred on the basketball court for the Bronchos, helping UCO to the MIAA Championship quarterfinals. She was named First Team All-MIAA and also earned All-American honors following the season.

Both were named CoSIDA Academic All-American as well. And Both were also honorees for the Mike Ciskowski 4.0 Award.

Kedzior had her named called one more time during the banquet, held in-person for the first time since 2019. She was also the recipient of the Presidential Award for the second year in a row.

Kedzior, who has been accepted into medical school and will begin that journey after graduation in May, showed great leadership in classroom and in the community. She is actively involved in several leadership organizations including her sorority and other campus organizations.

Dalton Abney was named Outstanding Male Student-Athlete of the Year. He led the wrestling team to an NCAA Division II national runner-up finish this winter and won the individual national championship at 197 pounds. Abney went 26-0 this season and was named Super Region IV Wrestler of the Year, putting him as a finalist for national wrestler of the year.

The Grace Shin Courage Award, named in honor of the former Broncho women's golfer, was given to UCO softball player Bailey McKittrick. The pitcher found her way back into the circle this Spring after multiple back surgeries. The former NFCA National Freshman of the Year missed significant playing time over the past two seasons because of injuries but continued to work and rehab and train until she could pitch again this season.

McKittrick has a 0.86 ERA in eight appearances this Spring. She's thrown 16 1/3 innings and has struck out eight batters.

Central Oklahoma also issued Letter C awards to over 50 student-athletes who are graduating this year. The framed C mimics the traditional letter-winner jacket and is given to Bronchos exhausting their NCAA eligibility.

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Players Mentioned

#27 Bailey McKittrick: P; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#14 Taryn Kedzior: D; 5' 11"; Junior

#33 Kelsey Johnson: F; 6' 3"; Senior

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 197

Players Mentioned

#27 Bailey McKittrick
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#14 Taryn Kedzior
: 5' 11"; Junior
: D

#33 Kelsey Johnson
: 6' 3"; Senior
: F

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 197