By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
The award came as a surprise to Courtney Collins.
“I was completely shocked,” she said. “I didn’t expect it at all.”
Collins, a 2004 Joplin High School graduate, was named Senior Female Athlete of the Year at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark. Baseball player Jantzen Black received the men’s award.
Every head coach at ATU submitted nominations, and the winners were selected by a committee based on athletic and scholastic achievements, character and community service involvement.
“I’m excited to come away with this outstanding award,” Collins said. “This puts a cap on my four years here at Arkansas Tech University.”
Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for today at ATU.
“It has gone by quick,” Collins said. “I probably would not have told you that during the four years. Looking back on it, it seems like it flew by.”
Collins played in 118 volleyball matches in four years with the Golden Suns, starting most of her senior year. A libero/defensive specialist, she ranks sixth in school history with 140 career aces, and she has 583 career digs.
The Golden Suns qualified for the Gulf South Conference tournament in three of the last four years.
“I have a lot of memories with my teammates,” Collins said. “Certain games when you played your heart out and come out with a victory, it is a feeling like no other.”
“Courtney was my first four-year player here at Tech, and it is hard to say good bye to her,” Golden Suns head coach Kristy Bayer said in a press release. “She was very dedicated and always worked hard in the offseason.”
In the classroom, Collins made the Dean’s List for five semesters and was a four-time member of the GSC Academic Honor Roll. She has a 3.62 cumulative grade point average as an early childhood education major.
Collins, who started her junior and seniors years for coach Sandy Shelley at Joplin High School, will remain in Russellville after graduation. She’s accepted an elementary teaching position in the Russellville district.
As far as a future in coaching, “I want to get my foot in the door teaching first and focus on it,” she said. “But if a coaching position opens up or if something that I feel is a good opportunity, I might take that. It’s always a possibility.”
Sports
Joplin grad Courtney Collins named Suns' top female athlete
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
