OK, so you’ve all heard of the Oscars, Grammys and Espys.
Now, I present to you the first annual Jessys.
These awards have been given to the “best of” in Emporia State athletics over the course of the 2006-07 athletic season.
Ten categories were chosen, all of which are actual classifications in the Academy Awards.
Without further ado, here are your first-ever Jessy winners:
• Best Picture (Best Game) — Pittsburg State beats Emporia State football in four overtimes.
Though it wasn’t a win for the Hornets, this game earned its top billing in the Best Picture category.
The contest seemingly had everything: big crowd, rivalry, momentum swings, clutch plays, controversy and drama.
It also featured the best play call of the 06-07 season, as former ESU coach Dave Wiemers called for a reverse wide receiver pass to win the game in the third overtime.
Ryan Hulings’ intended pass to Sean Partridge was ruled incomplete, though Partridge will still claim he caught the ball without it hitting the ground.
Others nominated — ESU women’s basketball rallies from 16-point deficit to defeat Washburn in national TV game; Matt Marasco hits walk-off home run to win MIAA baseball tournament over Central Missouri.
• Best Actor (Best Male Athlete) — Donta Watson, men’s basketball.
This award looked destined for Andy Vogelsberg before a poor performance dropped him to fourth in the javelin at the National Championships. Instead, we’ll go with Watson, who was the poster child for why the ESU men’s basketball team was successful this season. Not only was he a lights-out shooter and great scorer, he was also a good teammate and a quality person. ESU coach David Moe couldn’t have asked for anything more from the one-year player.
Others nominated — Andy Vogelsberg, track and field; Ryan Hulings, football; DeAndre Townsend, men’s basketball; Mark McBratney, baseball.
F Best Actress (Best Female Athlete) — Jonel Rossbach, cross country and track and field.
With so many qualified women’s athletes, Rossbach gets the nod. It’s tough enough to become an All-American in one sport, and Rossbach did it in three (cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field). A career award would have probably went to softball’s Megan Davison, and a three-year award would have went to Michelle Stueve.
For this year only, though, it goes to Rossbach.
Others nominated — Michelle Stueve, women’s basketball; Megan Davison, softball; Courtney Reed, softball; Karly Schultz, tennis.
• Best Supporting Actor — Ed Desir, men’s basketball.
The big guy really came into his own during his senior season. He was named to the MIAA’s All-Defense team and seemed to understand his role (block shots, clog the middle, score when needed) very well.
Others nominated — Tim Barger, baseball; Scott Elliott, men’s basketball.
• Best Supporting Actress — Casey Henningsen, women’s basketball.
Henningsen scored 10.9 points and grabbed 6.2 rebounds to wrap up a solid four-year career at ESU. One can only wonder what her numbers would have been like on a team where she was the No. 1 scoring option.
Others nominated — Samantha Sheeley, softball; Arica Shepard, volleyball.
• Best Director (Coach) — Kristi Bredbenner, softball.
The softball coach just barely edges out Moe for this one. The reasoning is this: I believe, during the middle of the season, the ESU softball team put together the best stretch of any ESU squad. The Hornets won 16 in a row at one point and 24 out of 25 games.
Bredbenner did return a lot of talent, but she also was able to find some in pitcher Samantha Sheeley and infielder Miranda Campbell.
Others nominated — David Moe, men’s basketball; John Cayton, tennis; Bob Fornelli, baseball.
• Best Score, Comedy — Emporia State 88, Washburn 74, men’s basketball, Feb. 17, 2007.
This one was a laugher for a few reasons: ESU led by as many as 23, the Hornets blew out a rival, and Washburn coach Bob Chipman threw one of the biggest hissy-fits I’ve ever seen, which concluded with him chucking his suitcoat into the sixth row of the stands. Priceless.
• Best Score, Dramatic — Emporia State 74, Washburn 67, women’s basketball, Feb. 17, 2007.
The score doesn’t look close, but ESU actually trailed by 16 in the first half of this one. In a nationally televised game, ESU fans willed the Lady Hornets to the victory in a deafening White Auditorium.
• Best Costume Design — Emporia State softball team.
I have a weakness for shiny gold helmets.
Others nominated — ESU football team.
• Best Song — “E-State,” by Raquel White (soccer) and Aaron Stubblefield (football).
This individualized tune was played at halftime of every soccer game, or at least the ones in which ESU coach Jim Schneiderhahn allowed it.
With catchy lines like, “E-State, we’re the ones that you love to hate,” I often found myself repeating the words in the press box, at home and also in the line at the grocery store.
Not sure if a remix is scheduled for the 2007-08 season.
Others nominated — “Sweet Caroline,” as sung by the ESU softball team at Regionals.
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