Pioneers take a bow at annual awards banquet

• June 3, 2011 5:00pm

The Cal State East Bay Athletics Department took time out to honor its student-athletes on their many accomplishments this year at the annual Student-Athlete Awards Banquet on May 26 at the New Student Union. The event closed out the 2010-11 campaign that saw the Pioneers earn eight all-conference selections, collect four all-district awards and have seven named conference player of the week during their second year in NCAA Division II and the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Among the student-athletes and student athletic trainers honored were Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Bryce Miller and Sukhjit Athwal.

A junior pitcher on the baseball team, Miller finished his first season as a Pioneer second on the team with five wins. The Pleasanton native made a start every week of the season, pitching the most innings of any pitcher on the team and posting the best earned run average among the starters at 3.01.

Athwal, a senior outside hitter, was second on the team in kills per game, played in 26 of the squad's 27 games and finished fifth in blocks. Hailing from Milpitas, Athwal was a key leader on and off the court, helping guide the Pioneers to a tie for second place in the CCAA and to a pair of victories over ranked opponents in 2010. For her efforts, Athwal was also named to the All-CCAA Second Team.

To read more about the banquet and honorees.