Vinson receives ASU recognition
Augusta State University held its annual Gerald Daise Awards banquet Monday night to recognize the school's athletic programs.
In addition to selecting most valuable and most improved players for 11 intercollegiate sports, six special awards also were presented: Male and Female Athlete of the Year; Freshman of the Year; Leadership Award; Spirit Award; and, Scholar Athlete of the Year.
For the second straight year, a Columbia County product picked up one of the night's top honors.
ASU junior Pam Vinson of Harlem was named Female Athlete of the Year for 2001-02.
Vinson, who was a softball and basketball standout at Harlem High School, is now a softball star with the Lady Jaguars. During three college seasons, Vinson has started in 154 games; the third baseman started all 53 games at ASU this past season, and helped guide the squad to a school-record 35 wins.
Along the way, she led the team in virtually every offensive category, including doubles (18), triples (2), home runs (8), RBI (55), and, total bases (106). Vinson's 55 RBI set an ASU record, and was 18 more than anyone else on the team.
Vinson's eight homers also was impressive, considering the rest of the team combined for only 10.
This marks the second straight year that a Columbia County softball player has been named Female Athlete of the Year at Augusta State. Former Greenbrier star Katrina Leverett took the same honor last year.
This season, Leverett missed 17 games due to an injury, yet still notched a .411 batting average with 12 doubles.
Another Greenbrier product had a solid softball season for the Lady Jags. Laura Paulos hit .309 and started 18 games at second base.
Vinson wasn't the only athlete from Columbia County to reap rewards Monday at Augusta State.
Another award winner was former Lakeside High School cheerleader Ashley Jarrett. The ASU junior was given the Spirit Award for her dedication and enthusiasm as a Jag cheerleader.
Other award winners from Columbia County were Sarah Kreisman (Evans) - Most Improved Player, women's basketball; Wendy Flesner (Lakeside) - Coach's Award, women's cross country.