Mike Kelsey (left) with Dr. Gaut Ragsdale

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Four Northern Kentucky University senior student-athletes have been selected as the University’s Athlete of Distinction Award winners.

Mike Kelsey, who scored more than 1,500 career points for the Norse men’s basketball team during the past four years, was named the Vincent Schulte Athlete of Distinction. NKU volleyball player Kristin Koralewski, Norse women’s golfer Kim Keyer-Scott and softball standout Stephanie Leimbach shared the Margery Rouse Athlete of Distinction honor.

The Athlete of Distinction Award is the highest honor an NKU student-athlete can receive from the University. It is presented to a male and female who best exemplifies the student-athlete concept through dedication, effort, ability, leadership and unselfishness, and has given the most to NKU Athletics.

In addition, the award is based on academic excellence, athletic ability and achievement, character and leadership and an active involvement in the community.

Kelsey, a graduate of Elder High School in Cincinnati, finished No. 7 on the NKU all-time scoring list with 1,595 career points. Kelsey holds the school’s single-game scoring record with 50 points, and he has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year twice. As a senior, Kelsey averaged 16.0 points per game and made a team-leading 79 three-point shots.

Kristin Koralewski receives her awards

Koralewski, an outside hitter and a native of Muskego, Wis., recorded 559 kills and 390 digs last season as NKU posted a 22-9 record. She led the GLVC in both kills per game (4.99 kpg) and hitting percentage (.382) en route to earning GLVC Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. A two-time All-American, Koralewski finished her career sixth in NKU history in both kills (1,485) and digs (1,192).

Keyer-Scott, a native of Cincinnati, has earned Division II All-America honors three times in her career as NKU’s top golfer. At the 2003 NCAA Division II national championships, Keyer-Scott took fifth-place honors individually - the best finish in the history of NKU women’s golf. Keyer-Scott is also a three-time All-GLVC performer, a three-time member of the GLVC All-Academic Team, and she captured the medal at the 2003 GLVC Championships.

Leimbach, a four-year starter in the outfield for the NKU softball team, is the Norse’s all-time career leader in hits (256) and runs scored (145). She is batting .400 this season and owns a 22-game hitting streak going into this weekend’s road trip to Quincy and Missouri-St. Louis. Leimbach also has led NKU to a No. 1 national ranking in the Division II poll, and the Norse currently own a 42-game winning streak - the longest in NCAA Division II history.

Seven other NKU senior student-athletes - Connie Myers, Elizabeth Burrows, Keith Jackson, Billy Hopkins, Nate Madden, Emily Breitholle and Angie Lindeman - received Career Achievement Awards.

Kim Keyer-Scott (left) and Dr. Gaut Ragsdale

Myers, a native of Columbia City, Ind., and a four-year letterwinner for the NKU women’s basketball team, led the GLVC in rebounding last season at 8.6 rpg. She also earned first team All-GLVC honors after averaging a team-leading 16.5 points per game as a senior.

Burrows, a graduate of Eastern Brown High School, was a three-year starter at point guard for NKU. She helped the Norse advance to the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2003. As a senior, Burrows finished fourth in the GLVC in assists per game at 4.21 apg.

Jackson, a graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, has helped the NKU baseball team win two GLVC Tournament championships. The Norse’s starting left fielder, Jackson is leading the team in runs batted in with 34 going into the weekend. A year ago, Jackson batted .288 with 20 doubles.

Hopkins, a graduate of Beechwood High School, earned four letters for the NKU men’s tennis program. He was named GLVC Freshman of the Year in 2002 and earned All-GLVC honors twice. Hopkins also helped NKU win a pair of GLVC titles and advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament three times.

Madden, a four-year starter at goalie for the NKU men’s soccer team and a graduate of Kettering Fairmont High School, was named GLVC Player of the Year as a senior. He finished third nationally in goals against average at 0.53 this past season and led the Norse to a 12-6-2 record. Madden also posted 11 shutouts as a senior and recorded 83 saves.

Breitholle, a pitcher from Fairfield High School, became the NKU softball program’s first 20-game winner in 2002 by posting a 20-5 record. Breitholle earned All-GLVC honors in 2002 and ’04, and she is currently 15-0 this season. Breitholle also was named All-Great Lakes Region as a freshman and a junior.

Lindeman, a first baseman from North Canton, Ohio, is NKU’s all-time career leader with 148 RBI. Lindeman set a single-season Norse record with 50 RBI in 2004. She is also a three-time All-GLVC selection and a two-time All-Great Lakes Region performer.

Three individuals - Jodi Hicks (cheerleading), Amber Timmons (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and volleyball) and John Rasp (sports information) - were honored with Career Service Awards for their contributions to the NKU athletics department.