SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Edison State Community College (D-II) and Owens Community College (D-III) are the 2019-20 OCCAC All-Sports Award winners. This season marks the first in which honorees were selected for both D-II and D-III.

The Chargers pick up their first league recognition while The Express now own seven such laurels since its first in 2011-12. Edison State finished as the ’18-19 runner-up among all nine schools.

“The 2019-20 academic provided all of us with many challenges,” Amy Giordano, Owens Vice President, said. “Those that were expected and welcome, such as the hard-fought opportunity to compete for a second National Championship victory by our Express volleyball team, and others that were unexpected, such as the global COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden loss of our beloved Athletics Director, Rudy Yovich. Through it all, our Owens Express student-athletes and community have stood together in support of one another and of our larger community. To be recognized in this way is truly an honor and one for which we are incredibly grateful.”

“I am very proud of all the coaches and student-athletes for being named the OCCAC All-Sports Award winners,” Nate Cole, Edison State Director of Athletics & Student Life, said. “Our student-athletes do a great job in the classroom and on/off the court and fields. Our focus on academics first and sportsmanship is key to our student-athletes doing a great job in the classroom and the game/match.

“Our process of academic support for our student-athletes is another big factor to our success. We do weekly grade checks, have student-athletes utilize the Tutoring Center if they need academic assistance, host multiple mandatory weekly study table sessions and hold weekly one-on-one meetings with every student-athlete to check in with them and get them help with any problem they might have at school or home.

“Edison State Athletics proves you can win by focusing on academics and sportsmanship, and doing things the right way.”

The award is tallied by issuing points to schools based on their place of finish in each OCCAC-sponsored sport and dividing that total by the number of sports at each respective school. Conference divisional champions earn 10 points, second place earns nine and so on. Ties are divided (i.e. - a two-way tie for second place would result in both schools receiving 8.5 points; a three-way tie for second would give each team 8.0 points).

Owens shared the OCCAC D-III crowns with Columbus State in both men’s and women’s basketball. The Express’ title in volleyball broke the tie, however, and handed Owens this season’s All-Sports Award. Owens Volleyball not only brought home the OCCAC crown, but also captured its second straight national title with an overall record of 43-4. Tyriana Settles and Sonny Lewis garnered OCCAC Player and Coach of the Year recognition, respectively. Shyah Wheeler from the women’s basketball team was named to the All-OCCAC First Team and corralled Third Team All-America honors.

Edison State was impressive across the board, finishing inside the D-II top-3 for all three sports, including a shared championship for women’s basketball led by OCCAC Coach of the Years Tim McMahon. Sarah Pothast, a two-sport star for the Chargers, was selected for the All-OCCAC First Team in both volleyball and basketball.

2019-20

D-II

D-III

 COMPLETE AWARD STANDINGS SINCE 2008-09