BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University athletics handed out a long list of end-of-year awards at its annual Y.O.S.E.F All-Sports Award Ceremony, held Thursday evening at Farthing Auditorium. The ceremony was put on by ASU's Student-Athlete Advisory Board and Former Athletes Association.

Baseball player David Towarnicky earned the prestigious Brakefield Award, given to the graduating student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average. The award was established by legendary Appalachian football coach Jim Brakefield and his wife, Eloise. A scholarship fund continues in their names through the former student-athletes who played for Coach Brakefield along with the friends of the Brakefield family.

Men's cross country and track & field athlete Will Raby was awarded the Rick Edmundson scholarship. The Rick Edmundson Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a native of North Carolina who is not on athletic scholarship, but one who has made uncommon contributions to the athletic program and to the University. Established in 1984 by his family and friends, the Rick Edmundson Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to honor his memory. A 1981 graduate of Appalachian State University, Edmundson was devoted to the institution and especially to the athletic program. At the time of his death, Edmundson was enrolled in Campbell University's Law School.

ASU alum Tim Elord took home the Jackson A. Branch Award. It was created to honor Branch's many years of unselfish service and support to Mountaineer student-athletes and teams. Elord's support of Appalachian athletics dates back to his days as a Mountaineer on the track and field program. Since graduating from ASU, Tim lent a helping hand to a number of the Black and Gold athletic programs. He is most recognized at cross country and track & field meets, where he is often found heading up the official crew and helping out with the timing system.

The fifth-annual Athletic Director's Award was given to football standout Brad Hardee, for his involvement with the community and his impressive efforts in the classroom and on the athletics playing field.

YOSEF Award Winners
Best Team Performance: Football (2010 SoCon Championships)
Best Coach: John Weaver (Track & Field)
Best Team Manager: Adam Grant (Volleyball)
Best Athletic Trainer: Sarah Gill (Cross Country/Track & Field)
Best Upset: Baseball over Miami (Fla.) on February 25, 2011
Overcoming Adversity Award: Lindsey Lewis (Student Athletic Trainer)
Breakthrough Male Athlete: DeAndre Presley (Football)
Breakthrough Female Athlete: Allie Cashion (Softball)
Best Record Setting Performance: Donald Sims (Men's Basketball)
Best Season: Men's Cross Country and Track & Field (Triple Crown winners)
All for App: J.R. Archer (Men's Basketball)

Special award winners below:
Rick Edmundson Scholarship: Will Raby (Men's Cross Country/Track & Field)
The Goodyear Family Athletic Scholarship: Amanda Hamilton (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field)
Jack Branch Award: Tim Elord
Brakefield Academic Award: David Towarnicky (Baseball)
Athletic Director's Award: Brad Hardee (Football)
Ron "Doc" Kanoy Award: Amber Smith (Student Athletic Trainer)
Laps For Apps Award: Daniel Walsh (Men's Golf)

Each of Appalachian's 20-varsity teams also named their MVPs for the 2010-11 seasons. A full list of award winners is below:

2010-11 Team MVPs
Baseball (2010): Wes Hobson
Field Hockey (2010): Lauren Kloeppinger
Football (2010): Daniel Kilgore
Men's Basketball (2010-11): Donald Sims, J.R. Archer and Jeremi Booth
Men's Cross Country (2010): Will Raby
Men's Golf (2010-11): Josh Nichols
Men's Indoor Track MVP (2010-11): Chris Moen
Men's Indoor Field MVP (2010-11): Malcolm Styers
Men's Outdoor Track MVP (2011): Dennis Moore
Men's Outdoor Field MVP (2011): Jerod Gardner
Men's Soccer (2010): Ryan Duffy
Men's Tennis (2011): Philip Kloc
Softball (2010): Katie Boyd
Volleyball (2010): Courtney Rhein
Women's Basketball (2010-11): Sam Ramirez and Anna Freeman
Women's Cross Country (2010): Amy Neilson
Women's Golf (2010-11): Kristina Boo
Women's Indoor Track MVP (2010-11): Breanna Alston
Women's Indoor Field MVP (2010-11): Whitney Smyre
Women's Outdoor Track MVP (2011): Asia Dunlap
Women's Outdoor Field MVP (2011): Gayshawna Watkins
Women's Soccer (2010): Lindsay Jaffe and Caroline Clarke
Women's Tennis (2011): Ellie Linsell
Wrestling (2010-11): Kyle Blevins