CHICO – In a year full of outstanding performances, several NCAA Championship appearances and individual sports programs either on the rise or cementing their already established reputations, the task of choosing the top two Chico State athletes of 2009-10 is virtually impossible. The Wildcat coaches, along with members of the Chico State athletics administrative staff, took on the challenge of singling out the absolute best from a talented list of worthy candidates, and this week announced that Wildcat golfer Kyle Souza and softball player Charlotte Honciano have been honored as the Chico State Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

Honciano, the unquestioned leader of the Chico State softball team, led the Wildcats to their first postseason appearance in five years. Entering the NCAA West Regional, Honciano is batting .375 on the year and leading the ’Cats in no less than nine offensive statistical categories, including batting average, home runs (3), hits (60), extra base hits (13), triples (3), on-base percentage (.451), slugging percentage (.506), hit by pitches (16) and stolen bases (10). The senior second baseman was named first team All- California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) for her efforts, and is just one hit away from tying Chico State’s all-time single season hit record.

Souza, who will be part of the Chico State contingent that participates in next week’s NCAA Championships, is the top individual on the Wildcat men’s golf team, averaging 72.5 strokes per round through the ’Cats’ first 11 tournaments. The sophomore netted four top five tournament finishes on the year, and posted or co-posted the top Chico State tourney score in five events. Souza was named All-CCAA for the second straight year, while earning CCAA Golfer of the Week honors twice in helping the Wildcats attain the No. 5 ranking in the country in the Golf World/Nike Coaches Poll and the No. 2 position in the Golfstat head-to-head standings.