NCAA Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Former Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball standout and 2021 IWU graduate
Kendall Sosa was named one of 10 student-athletes recognized as the 2022 NCAA Top 10 Award winners Monday, Jan. 10.
The award recognizes former student-athletes for their successes in their sport, in the classroom, and in the community. Recipients will be recognized during the annual NCAA Convention in Indianapolis Wednesday, Jan. 19.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive this award and be recognized among many distinguished recipients," Sosa said. "Through all the challenges of the past couple of years, I'm proud to represent Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball and the Bloomington-Normal communities and the impact they have made in my life. A huge thank you goes to my support system - my family, teammates, and coaches for believing in me and motivating me to excel in all aspects of life."
Other top 10 award selections include Anna Cockrell (Southern California), Kendall Cornick (Augustana University (SD)), Stefani Deschner (Notre Dame), Lauren Huebner (Saginaw Valley State), Mac Jones (Alabama), Eka Jones (WashU), Jack Ming Jie Lin (Columbia), Danny Logan (Denver), and Estela Pérez-Somarriba (Miami).
Additionally, Sosa is the third College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin student-athlete to earn the honor, joining Wheaton's Kent Raymond (2010 - men's basketball) and Augustana's Bruce Hamming (1976 - men's basketball).
"We are so proud of Kendall, not just for her athletic accomplishments, but for who she has grown into as a person," Illinois Wesleyan Athletic Director
Mike Wagner said. "Kendall truly exemplified what it means to be a Titan and a Division III student-athlete. It was truly a pleasure to have the opportunity to watch Kendall compete during her time at IWU and am grateful to the NCAA for recognizing her with this special award."
"Kendall is a top-10 all-around person, not just an all-around athlete or basketball player," IWU Head Women's Basketball Coach
Mia Smith exclaimed. "Her skills on the basketball court were amazing and her highlight reel is one that I can watch over and over again - especially the 47 point performance at Millikin. As much as she brought to the court, what she brought unrelated to basketball was even more impressive. Her growth from freshman year to her senior year was fun to watch. If we gave an award for all-time best teammate, it would be Kendall."
The honorees are selected by the NCAA Honors Committee, composed of representatives of NCAA member schools, conferences and distinguished citizens, including past awardees. Past recipients of the award include many notable athletes such as Tiki Barber, Drew Brees, Kendall Coyne, Elena Delle Donne, John Elway, Doug Flutie, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Cheryl Miller, and Steve Young.
Sosa put together a tremendous career for the Titans. She was named the Women's Basketball Coaches Association DIvision III Player of the Year in 2021, the first CCIW student-athlete to earn the honor all-time. A finalist for the 2021 Division III Honda Athlete of the Year, Sosa was voted First Team All-America by both the WBCA and D3hoops.com in 2021 and earned honorable mention accolades from D3hoops.com in 2020. The CCIW's Most Outstanding Player in 2021, Sosa was a unanimous two-time First Team All-CCIW selection and five-time CCIW Player of the Week recipient.
As a senior, Sosa ranked second in all of Division III with 26.7 points per game. She broke the IWU single-game scoring record with 47 points in an overtime win at No. 13 Millikin, Feb. 9, 2021. She was voted the Central Region's 2021 Player of the Year by D3hoops.com, and was a three-time D3hoops.com Team of the Week pick.
Academically, Sosa was recognized as a College Sports Information Directors of America First Team Academic All-America honoree in 2021 after garnering a second team selection in 2020. A three-time Academic All-CCIW awardee, she was also Illinois Wesleyan's recipient of the CCIW's Jack Swartz Award for her athletic success, academic excellence, and leadership.
Sosa continually gave back to the Bloomington-Normal community throughout her time at IWU. A Bloomington, Ill. native, Sosa served as vice president of recruitment for the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity and was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. A team captain, she also took part in raising money for the Special Olympics through an annual Polar Plunge and assisted with SOAR sports nights on campus. Sosa also volunteered with the Midwest Food Bank.
Sosa, who will be in attendance for IWU's basketball doubleheader against Augustana College, Jan. 15, will attend the awards ceremony at the NCAA Convention in Indianapolis Wednesday, Jan. 19.