Photo by: Tony Walsh
Ridgnal Named Junior College Male Athlete of the Year
July 02, 2021 | Men's Basketball
UGA newcomer led Cowley to NJCAA runner-up finish
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia's Dalen Ridgnal (pronounced day-in ridge-un-nul), who led the Cowley College men's basketball team to a runner-up finish in the 2021 NJCAA Tournament, was named the Junior College Male Athlete of the Year at the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission Sports Banquet held Thursday at the Downtown Drury Plaza-Broadview in Wichita, Kansas.
Ridgnal, one of only two junior college players to earn All-America honors during each of the past two seasons, signed with Georgia this spring and arrived on campus last month.
"I am so honored and grateful to be named the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission Junior College Male Athlete of the Year," Ridgnal said. "The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission is such an amazing organization that helps individuals of all ages enhance their life through sports, events and activities. I can honestly say that my life would not be what it is today without organizations like this that create opportunities for individuals in their community."
Ridgnal was named the 2021 Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division Men's Basketball Most Valuable Player. He was also a first-team All-Conference and All-Region selection for the second straight year. The 6-7 forward was recently named just the third, two-time All-American in the history of the Tiger men's basketball program.
Ridgnal led Cowley in scoring (21.1) and rebounds (12.8) per game as he finished his career as the ninth all-time leading scorer in the history of the program. He helped Cowley to a record of 50-11 during his two years at the school. With Ridgnal leading the way, the Tigers captured back-to-back conference titles, qualified for back-to-back national tournament appearances, won a region title for the first time in 64 years and finished as the 2021 national runner-up.
A reception and silent auction were held prior to the banquet and former Kansas City Chief return specialist Dante Hall, who holds seven franchise records, was the featured speaker. Along with Ridgnal, Cowley College cross country and track and field standout Lubna Suied was the runner-up in the voting for the Junior College Female Athlete of the Year award.
Ridgnal, one of only two junior college players to earn All-America honors during each of the past two seasons, signed with Georgia this spring and arrived on campus last month.
"I am so honored and grateful to be named the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission Junior College Male Athlete of the Year," Ridgnal said. "The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission is such an amazing organization that helps individuals of all ages enhance their life through sports, events and activities. I can honestly say that my life would not be what it is today without organizations like this that create opportunities for individuals in their community."
Ridgnal was named the 2021 Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division Men's Basketball Most Valuable Player. He was also a first-team All-Conference and All-Region selection for the second straight year. The 6-7 forward was recently named just the third, two-time All-American in the history of the Tiger men's basketball program.
Ridgnal led Cowley in scoring (21.1) and rebounds (12.8) per game as he finished his career as the ninth all-time leading scorer in the history of the program. He helped Cowley to a record of 50-11 during his two years at the school. With Ridgnal leading the way, the Tigers captured back-to-back conference titles, qualified for back-to-back national tournament appearances, won a region title for the first time in 64 years and finished as the 2021 national runner-up.
A reception and silent auction were held prior to the banquet and former Kansas City Chief return specialist Dante Hall, who holds seven franchise records, was the featured speaker. Along with Ridgnal, Cowley College cross country and track and field standout Lubna Suied was the runner-up in the voting for the Junior College Female Athlete of the Year award.
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