All-Americans
About Kennesaw State University
Since its founding as Kennesaw College in 1963, Kennesaw State University has seen significant growth, moving from a two-year college to a burgeoning four-year institution that includes nine colleges and boasts an enrollment of more than 45,000.
Along the way, intercollegiate athletics was introduced as part of the campus experience, and is now ingrained in the university landscape. Since its beginning in 1982, the Department of Athletics has grown from an NAIA program, to an NCAA Division II member to its current status as a Division I institution competing in Conference USA.
The rise of the Department of Athletics parallels the growth of the university and is currently in the midst of a rapid rise rarely seen in collegiate athletics. Kennesaw State University currently boasts 18 sports programs that have achieved national prominence.
The University and Department of Athletics reached another milestone on Feb. 14, 2013 when University President Dr. Dan Papp made the long-awaited announcement that Kennesaw State would start a football program and open its first season in 2015, and play home games at Fifth Third Stadium.
In its comparatively brief intercollegiate history, Kennesaw State University has made a steady rise to become a competitive force at the Division I level and is looking toward a future of building champions in the classroom, community and fields of competition.
The Early Years
Intercollegiate athletics was not a part of the Kennesaw State University experience until it was introduced in 1982 and sponsored nine sports. James "Spec" Landrum became the school's first Director of Athletics.
Those pioneering sports included women's basketball, men's golf, men's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's tennis and men's and women's track and field. The "Golden Owls" as they were initially referred to, competed as independent during their initial year of athletic competition before joining the Georgia Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
It took two years for Kennesaw State University to produce its first All-American when Jennifer Turner was recognized for her accomplishments as a member of the women's track and field team in 1985.
Golfer John Hough was honored as the first KSU male All-American athlete after winning KSU's first-ever national championship in 1986. Hough captured the individual title while leading the Owls to a district championship and No. 10 national ranking.
Division II Powerhouse
Kennesaw State found national success again in 1994 when the baseball team won the NAIA National Championship under head coach Mike Sansing, marking the school's first-ever team national title.
The victory sparked more success and a transition to NCAA Division II status and membership in the Peach Belt Conference in the fall of 1994. Over the span of the next three years, the Owls captured three more national titles. Softball won back-to-back national championships in 1995 and 1996, and baseball captured its first NCAA Division II championship in 1996.
Kennesaw State also experienced many great individual accomplishments, none more so than those by women's track and field and cross country athlete Marjo Venalainen. Widely considered KSU's greatest student-athlete, Vanalainen was a four-year letter winner for the Owls.
In 2002, Venalainen was named the NCAA Division II Cross Country Runner of the Year. A four-time national champion in cross country and track, Venalainen also was a four-time All-American in cross country and remains the only runner in Peach Belt Conference history to win three consecutive conference championships.
In just its second year of existence, the women's soccer team captured the 2003 national championship, marking the Department of Athletics' fifth NCAA Division II title. It was the first of two national titles won by the Owls during the 2003-04 athletics season as the men's basketball team defeated Southern Indiana for its first national championship and the school's sixth overall.
That success marked the end of one era and the beginning of another as Kennesaw State University transitioned to the Division I level and began competing as a member of the ASUN Conference in the fall of 2005.
Move to Division I
It did not take long for the Owls to become competitive at the Division I level as the women's cross country team won the school's first ASUN team title in 2005. The following year, women's soccer and softball would stamp their imprint in the ASUN history books by winning conference titles in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Women's soccer added conference crowns in 2008 and 2010.
Under the leadership of Stan Sims, the KSU track and field program quickly became a perennial contender in the A-Sun. During Sims' tenure, cross-country teams captured 22 Peach Belt and ASUN Conference titles and posted five national Top 10 finishes. Sims coached 21 individuals who won conference titles, 16 All-Americans and four individual national champions.
The 2009 season was a memorable one for KSU freshman men's golfer Matt Nagy as he qualified and competed in the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. It also was a big year for the Owls baseball program as Chad Jenkins and Kyle Heckathorn were selected among the Top 50 in the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. KSU was the only program in the country to have two players drafted in the Top 50.
Early 2010s
The KSU men's and women's golf programs elevated their stature as the 2010's began. The men's golf team made three consecutive NCAA regional appearances, while the women claimed their first-ever ASUN Conference championship and made its initial NCAA regional showing in 2012.
Academically, Kennesaw State student-athletes established a program record with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.10 for the 2011-12 academic year. A total of 19 athletes were named to conference all-academic teams and the women's cross country team earned USTFCCCA Division I All-Academic status.
2012-2013
There were a number of notable accomplishments during the 2012-13 athletics season that was highlighted by Kennesaw State winning ASUN Conference titles in men's indoor track and field and men's outdoor track field championships.
The men's golf team advanced to the NCAA Regionals for a third straight year, sophomore Andre Dorsey advanced to the NCAA National Championships in both indoor and outdoor track and field, and the women's 4x100 relay team made the program's first-ever championship appearance. Jimmy Beck won GSGA Co-Men's Player of the Year honors and won the Georgia State Amateur Championship.
Seniors Ben Greene and Peder Lunde Hermansson became the first-ever KSU student-athletes to be named CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-Americans, earning second team recognition. Four Owl student-athletes were named ASUN Conference Player of the Year, while three were named Freshman of the Year and three were tabbed conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Ines Lescudier won ASUN Golfer of the Year, ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year and led secured the individual championship at the 2013 ASUN Championship, helping the Owls earn a second-place finish at the event.
A new era began for KSU volleyball with the announcement of Keith Schunzel as head coach on Jan. 28, 2013.
2013 also saw the beginning stages of the Kennesaw State football program with Brian Bohannon being announced as the first head coach on Mar. 14.
Head softball coach Scott Whitlock announced the end of his storied career at the helm in 2013 after a 1,149-315 all-time record with two national titles under his belt.
Additionally, six individuals earned All-American honors, 20 student-athletes were named to Academic All-Conference teams, 109 received A-Sun Conference All-Conference accolades, and 116 student-athletes earned conference all-academic honors.
2013-2014
The 2014 campaign marked the first NCAA Regional appearance for KSU baseball and the team went even further, winning the regional and advancing to the NCAA Louisville Super Regional. Travis Bergen was named MVP of the NCAA Tallahassee Regional. Brennan Morgan earned ASUN Tournament MVP honors after leading the Owls to the conference championship.
Max Pentecost gave it his all on the diamond, winning ASUN Player of the Year honors and the Johnny Bench Award. He was named first team NCBWA and ABCA All-American.
Danielle Gray represented KSU soccer, winning Capital One Academic All-District honors.
Women's golfer Kaew Preamchuen won ASUN Golfer of the Year, the second consecutive honor for Kennesaw State.
Men's golf once again made the NCAA postseason, this time in the NCAA Auburn Regional where they finished second behind Alabama and advanced to the NCAA Championships. Jimmy Beck was named ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year while Teremoana Beaucousin secured ASUN Freshman of the Year honors.
KSU women's track and field made the NCAA South Regionals and Alicia Whittle, Hannah Wood, Martina Cernechova and Maileka Slayton competed in the 4x100m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
For the men's squad, the team won the ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Andre Dorsey made the NCAA Indoor Championships in the triple jump and long jump. He was also named ASUN Outdoor Most Valuable Performer.
Men's cross country saw Daniel Garcia earned ASUN All-Conference team and Men's Freshman Runner of the Year honors en route to a NCAA South Regional appearance. He was also named to the USTFCCCA All-Region and All-Academic teams. The women's team made the NCAA South Regionals.
2014-2015
The 2015 campaign was a milestone season for legendary KSU baseball head coach Mike Sansing, who won his 900th game at Kennesaw State and his 1,000th career game. On the field, Taylor Allum won freshman all-American honors.
Behind another strong performance on the course, women's golf earned its second ASUN Conference Championship led by individual medalist Dulcie Sverdloff. The victory secured the team a sport at the NCAA San Antonio Regional.
Men's golf earned another regional appearance at the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional. Teremoana Beaucousin won ASUN Golfer of the Year while Jimmy Beck earned his second-straight ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor and the Dr. Dave Waples Total Person Award.
Men's tennis athlete Simon Pritchard earned ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
In track and field, the women's squad made the NCAA South Regionals for the second season in a row. The men once again won the ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Championships while four Owls earned spots at NCAA postseason events. Andre Dorsey and Bilal Abdullah made the NCAA Indoor Championships while Drew Duggans and Josh Mulder made NCAA Outdoor Championships. Mulder was also named the ASUN Outdoor Most Valuable Performer.
Both the men's and women's cross country teams earned a spot at the NCAA South Regionals. Simone Colombini was named to the ASUN All-Conference team.
2015-2016
Kennesaw State football began its inaugural season on Sept. 3 in a 56-16 rout of East Tennessee State. The Owls also won their first game inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium, securing a 58-7 win over Edward Waters. The Black and Gold went 5-1 at home in its first season, contributing to a 6-5 record.
2016 marked the second-straight season a KSU baseball player won a freshman all-American honor, this time being David Chabut. The team rallied a 17-4 conference record to win the ASUN regular season title.
After a 19-9 season on the court, volleyball coach Keith Schunzel was named ASUN Coach of the Year.
For KSU soccer, a new era began as Benji Walton was named head coach on Jan. 4.
Women's golfer Clara Aveling won ASUN Golfer of the Year and led the field at the 2016 ASUN Conference Championship.
Bryant Odom was named head coach of KSU men's golf on Aug. 11, 2015 and immediately made an impact, winning ASUN Coach of the Year and leading KSU to its second ASUN Championship. The win earned the Owls a spot in the NCAA Franklin Regional.
For the second consecutive season, men's tennis athlete Simon Pritchard earned ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Men's track and field once again won ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Andre Dorsey made NCAA Outdoor Championships and was named ASUN Outdoor Most Valuable Performer. Bilal Abdullah made the NCAA Indoor Championships in both the heptathlon and long jump).
Jocselyn Powell (400mh) and Maria Bogavac (javelin) both set ASUN Outdoor track and field records for the women this season.
Men's and women's cross country once again made the NCAA South Regionals.
2016-2017
Football improved on its 2015 win total this fall, posting an 7-3 record and winning records at home and on the road.
Grant Williams was named ASUN Baseball Defensive Player of the Year and the Owls picked up a 5-4 win over Georgia in Athens on Feb. 28, 2017. On the other side at Bailey Park, Courtney Sutter completed an historic season that earned her ASUN Softball Player of the Year honors.
Laura Maness was named head coach of KSU lacrosse on July 1.
After a third-place finish at the ASUN Championship, women's golfer Medy Thavong earned ASUN Golfer of the Year and ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
For the third consecutive season, men's tennis athlete Simon Pritchard earned ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Coach Odom continued his winning ways for men's golf, securing the team's second-straight ASUN Conference title. Connor Coffee was named ASUN Co-Freshman of the Year as the Owls finished T-2nd at the NCAA College Grove Regional and advanced to the NCAA Championships.
Jordan Gray set an ASUN Outdoor record in the heptathlon and made the NCAA Championships along with Jocselyn Powell for the KSU women's track and field team. The team won the ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Championships and Gray was named the ASUN Indoor Most Valuable Performer.
On the men's side, the team also won the ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Championships led by Dayo Akindele who earned Co-ASUN Indoor Most Valuable Performer and ASUN Outdoor Most Valuable Performer accolades.
Both the men's and women's cross country teams earned a spot at the NCAA South Regionals. Logan Poteet earned ASUN All-Conference team honors.
2017-2018
Kennesaw State football exemplified the Gold Standard in 2017, winning 12 games and its first Big South Conference Championship in year three of competition. Head coach Brian Bohannon won Big South and AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year honors. The team went 7-0 inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium and picked up FCS Playoff victories over Samford and Jacksonville State in its first appearance in the tournament.
Quarterback Chandler Burks led the way for the Owls, winning Big South Scholar-Athlete and Offensive Player of the Year selections.
Head volleyball coach Keith Schunzel won his second ASUN Coach of the Year award, leading the Owls to an ASUN Tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Division I Volleyball tournament. Anaiah Boyer was named ASUN Tournament MVP while Kristi Piedimonte won ASUN Scholar of the Year.
KSU softball had a historic season in early 2018, winning its second ASUN regular season title and its first ASUN Tournament Championship, The Owls made the NCAA Tallahassee Regional behind stellar performances of Maddie Roth (Division I All-American third team and NFCA Division I All-South Region first team selection) and ASUN Pitcher of the Year Alley Cutting.
Tyler Simon began his KSU baseball career this season and was named a freshman All-American.
Siena Gore began her career with KSU lacrosse on a high note, winning 2018 ASUN Freshman of the Year.
Tripp MacKay was hired as head coach of KSU softball on June 29, 2018.
Abby Roth represented KSU soccer, securing NSCCA All-Southeast Region honors. Simon Pritchard completed his KSU career with his fourth ASUN Men's Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.
2018 marked an historic season for women's golf, as the Owls won the ASUN Conference Championship for a third time and earned a spot in the NCAA Tallahassee Regional. Madison Caldwell led the team with an individual victory at the ASUN Championship en route to ASUN Golfer of the Year honors.
Fermin Calvo Barcelo was named ASUN Men's Tennis Player of the Year.
Men's golf earned a spot in the NCAA Stockton Regional, marking the program's eighth consecutive appearance at an NCAA regional. Men's and women's cross country made the NCAA South Regionals.
The men's and women's track and field teams each earned both the ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Championships this season. For the women, Aliyah Whisby secured a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships after being named ASUN Outdoor Most Valuable Performer. Dayo Akindele (ASUN Indoor Most Valuable Performer) and Paris Williams (ASUN Outdoor Most Valuable Performer) led the team. Akindele and Tyler Jones each earned a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Both cross country squads earned a spot at the NCAA South Regionals.
2018-2019
KSU football continued to make history in 2018, playing in the first-ever football game at Truist Park (then SunTrust Park), defeating Jacksonville State 60-52 in the 'FCS Game of the Year.' The Owls won their second Big South Conference title and defeated Wofford in the FCS Quarterfinals.
Head coach Brian Bohannon won his second Big South and AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year honors. Quarterback Chandler Burks had a career season, winning Big South Offensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards. He was also named to the Hero Sports FCS All-American first team. Anthony Gore earned Big South Defensive Player of the Year, giving KSU a sweep of conference superlative awards in 2018.
Brea Dickey earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors in Tripp MacKay's first season at Kennesaw State.
Amir Abdur-Rahim was named the head coach of Kennesaw State men's basketball on Apr. 18, 2019.
Matt Emery joined Kennesaw State as the new Director of Tennis on July 16, 2018.
Siena Gore earned ASUN Lacrosse Player of the Year honors.
This season marked another National Championship for KSU Athletics in the form of a hammer throw title from track and field performer Daniel Haugh.
Success continued on the course for women's golf as the team won its second-straight ASUN Championship behind another stellar outing from Medy Thavong. Clara Aveling won her second ASUN Golfer of the Year award, leading KSU to the NCAA Auburn Regional.
Cale McDaniel was hired on Nov. 8, 2018 as the new Director of Track and Field and Cross Country. Haugh and Paris Williams each made the NCAA Outdoor Championships as Williams won both ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Most Valuable Performer.
The women's track and field team was led by Jordan Gray who earned ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Most Valuable Performer honors in addition to setting an ASUN Indoor record in the pentathlon. She also made the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Erica Sergeant set the ASUN Outdoor refcord in the pole vault.
McDaniel led both the men's and women's teams to the NCAA South Regionals.
2019-2020
KSU football earned its third consecutive FCS Playoff berth and defeated Wofford on the road in its first game. Linebacker Bryson Armstrong had an incredible performance on the defensive side of the ball and was named Big South Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named to the Hero Sports FCS All-American first team.
Volleyball had another spectacular season with Keith Schunzel at the helm, earning another berth in the NCAA Division I Volleyball tournament after winning the ASUN tournament. Dani Ballou was named MVP of the event.
Becky Contreras was named ASUN Freshman of the Year, helping KSU soccer to the finals of the ASUN Championship.
Brea Dickey won her second consecutive CoSIDA Academic All-American honor while Nick Hassan earned freshman All-American honors.
Men's golfers Matt Nagy (2007-12), Jeff Karlsson (2008-12), Jimmy Beck (2011-15) and Teremoana Beaucosuin (2013-17) were named to the ASUN Conference All-Decade team.
Men's track and field performer Paris Williams made the NCAA Indoor Championships.
This academic year saw the cancellation of all spring sports in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020-2021
With the cancelation of the fall 2020 season, KSU football took the field for a shortened spring season in 2021. The Owls went 4-1 and Bryson Armstrong was named Big South Defensive Player of the Year for the second time.
Legendary KSU baseball head coach Mike Sansing retired in May of 2021 after 30 seasons at Kennesaw State with 1,158 total wins.
KSU softball earned its second NCAA regional appearance at the Tallahassee Regional. The program won its first ever Division I NCAA postseason game against the Auburn Tigers.
Octavia Blue was named head coach on Apr. 29, 2021.
KSU lacrosse's Marissa Gore was named ASUN Defensive Player and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
After COVID-19 cancelled the end of the 2019-2020 season, women's golf stormed back to win its third consecutive ASUN Championship led by ASUN Golfer of the Year Tai Anudit. The team earned a spot in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional but the event was canceled due to weather.
This season was a historic one for the women's track and field team. Cale McDaniel won ASUN Coach of the Year after leading the team to the ASUN Indoor Championship. Sarah Hendrick rose to stardom after setting an ASUN Indoor record in the 800m and securing a spot in the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Lindsay Billings won ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors and set an ASUN Indoor record in the 3000m. Jessica Watkins was named ASUN Outdoor Most Valuable Performer.
On the men's track and field team, Jack Rhea earned a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
2021-2022
Football returned to Fifth Third Bank Stadium for the fall 2021 campaign. The Owls won their third Big South Conference title in their final season with the conference. Led by quarterback Xavier Shepherd, the Owls earned a fourth FCS Playoff berth and defeated Davidson in the first round.
Head coach Brian Bohannon won his third Big South Coach of the Year award. Shepherd won Big South Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the STATS FCS and Hero Sports FCS All-American first teams. Garland Benyard was named Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year.
The ASUN named women's basketball athlete Amani Johnson to its inaugural Winners for Life team.
Former Texas Rangers scout and KSU baseball alum Ryan Coe was named head coach of KSU baseball on July 9, 2021. In his first season, the Owls won a share of the ASUN East division title and the 2022 ASUN Tournament. They made the NCAA Hattiesburg Regional behind an historic season at the plate from Josh Hatcher.
Hatcher was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 10th round of the 2022 MLB Draft and was named a Collegiate Baseball All-American and to the ABCA/Rawlings Southeast All-Region team. Donovan Cash was named a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American.
A new era for KSU women's golf began on June 2, 2021 with the hiring of Erin Thorne. She became the first coach in program history to win multiple tournaments in their first season. The team finished second at the ASUN Championship where Alizee Vidal won the individual medal and represented KSU at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional.
For the first time in KSU men's basketball history, the team hosted an ASUN tournament game and defeated Eastern Kentucky 82-73. The team went 10-6 at the Convocation Center during this season.
KSU soccer made the finals of the 2021 ASUN Championship tournament.
For KSU lacrosse, Siena Gore led the squad and received numerous accolades, including: ASUN Player of the Year, ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-America first team, IWLCA All-South Region second team and Inside Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American.
