Jan. 15, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Kansas - Kennesaw State continues to rack up the post-season awards as three Owls received NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-South Region accolades. Beth Meadors was named to the Third Team while Jessica Kalonji and Bridget Gaughan were named Honorable Mention in a statement released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America last week.

Meadors, who just finished her senior season with the Owls, is an exercise and health science major who earned a 3.76 grade point average for the fall semester. An accounting major, Kalonji posted a 3.3 GPA while Gaughan, who is studying exercise and health science, received a 3.32 GPA.

"This is a tremendous award for these three student-athletes," said Associate Head Coach Frank Pitt. "Beth, Bridget and Jessica each make up one of the toughest defenses in the Atlantic Sun Conference."

All in all, 113 athletes received the honor. Only two other Atlantic Sun Conference athletes received the honor: Heather Manting, an accounting and math major from Mercer, and Melissa Musacchio, an accounting major from Belmont.

To be nominated for this honor, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) throughout his or her career; start more than 50 percent of all games and be a significant contributor to the team.

"What's great about this award is that it matches what they do in the classroom with what they do on the soccer field as well," said Pitt. "Fortunately, Bridget has one more year of eligibility, but both Beth and Jessica will be missed as they are graduating in May."