Local Athletes Selected to Receive G.A.M.E.S Awards

CONTACT:

Michelle Naval

Augusta Sports Council

706.722.8326 x 231

michelle@augustasportscouncil.org

Local Athletes Selected to Receive G.A.M.E.S Awards 

Augusta, GA (April 29, 2011) – The Augusta Sports Council has selected the 19 finalists for the 20^th annual Greater Augusta Medals for Excellence in Sports (GAMES) Awards. The award finalists will be honored at the G.A.M.E.S. Awards banquet on Wednesday May 18, 2011 at the Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites in Downtown Augusta.

The G.A.M.E.S. Awards have been presented since 1992. The annual program was created to highlight the outstanding amateur athletes that represent a broad spectrum of sports disciplines in the CSRA. The 2011 GAMES Award finalists are:

Adaptive Athlete
Cole Wooten

Amateur Star
Steven Baldowski - Archery

All-Around Female Athlete
Mykala Jones - Laney High School
Jessica Ray – Aiken High School
Ebony Wells – Grovetown High School

All-Around Male Athlete
Sam Few – Aquinas High School
Rod Hall – Laney High School
Conrad Wilburn – Josey High School

Outstanding Female Athlete
Anna Bowles - Lakeside High School
Savannah Coon – Greenbrier High School
Annie Speese –Westminister High School 

Collegiate Athlete

Franck Ndongo – Augusta State University

Outstanding Male Athlete
Andrew Faulkner – South Aiken High School
Tyler Martin – Augusta Christian High School
Matt NeSmith – North Augusta High School

Rising Star
Malia Kency – Grovetown High School
Joe Ardrey – Academy of Richmond County

Outstanding Coach
Malynda Young – Aiken High School

Outstanding Team
Aiken Lady Hornets Volleyball

The GAMES Awards Banquet will also feature special guest College Football Hall of Fame Coach Bobby Bowden.  Bowden is recognized for his 33 seasons with the Florida State Seminole’s football program which includes a record of more than 300 wins, 28 bowl appearances, two national championships, and an induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006 making Bowden the second-winningest coach in college football.  Since his retirement in 2009, Bowden has published a new book “Called to Coach: Reflections on Life, Faith, and Football” and continues to tour the country with speaking engagements.

The GAMES Awards banquet is open to the public.  Check-in and a social hour will open at 6:30 PM, with dinner and program beginning promptly at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $45 for Sports Council members and $55 for non-members.  Tables of 8 are also available. Please call 706.722.8326 x 231 for reservations.

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