DEDICATION LEADS BLINN CHEERLEADER TO ATKINSON CUP

Anthony Antonelli honored for excellence as Blinn’s top student-athlete

It was a year of firsts for the Blinn College cheer team.

After helping the Buccaneers win their first national cheerleading title, Anthony Antonelli of Katy became the first cheerleader to win the Atkinson Cup after posting a cumulative 3.80 grade point average.

Sponsored by the Buccaneer Alumni Letterman Association, the Atkinson Cup was established in 2000 to honor the sophomore student-athlete with the highest GPA in a minimum of 48 transferable hours. The award is named for former Blinn athletic director and president Dr. James H. Atkinson.

“It’s an honor,” Antonelli said. “It took a lot of time and hard work to earn this, but I’m happy it paid off.”

Fellow cheerleader Amanda Thurman, softball player Allie Artz and baseball player Weston Wick were also in contention for the Cup.

“Anthony is a very hard worker, not just as a cheerleader but in the classroom, too,” said cheer coach Sarah Barland. “We’re very proud of him and the work he’s put in.”

“Any time I can make coach Barland proud it means I’m doing something right,” said Antonelli, who plans to attend the University of Texas in the fall where he’ll major in pre-medicine.

For more information on Blinn athletics, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(Story & photo courtesy, Matt Keyser, Blinn Information)