Youngstown State student-athletes Brandon Rush (men's basketball) and Sophie Howell (softball) were named the recipients of the PNC Achievers Award for their efforts on the field and in the classroom this past spring. Both athletes were recognized last Thursday during YSU's season opening home football game vs. Valparaiso.

The award is presented by Ted Schmidt, Regional President for PNC Bank, to deserving YSU student-athletes from one of the Penguins' premier Corporate Partners, PNC Bank. The PNC Achievers Award recognizes exceptional leadership qualities on the field, in the classroom and within the community.

Rush helped lead the men's basketball program to their first regular-season Horizon League Championship in program history and a berth in the NIT. He was named All-Horizon League Third-Team after averaging 13.9 points per game and shooting 47.8 percent from the floor (173-of-362) and 37.9 percent from 3-point range (77-of-203). Rush finished the year with 473 points, second most on the squad.

Howell was key member of the softball program that reached the semifinals of the Horizon League postseason tournament. A pitcher, Howell posted a 17-12 overall record while finishing with a 2.48 ERA. She pitched 200.2 innings, had 173 strikeouts and finished with 19 complete games. Howell was named to the Horizon League's All-Tournament Team after recording three victories in five starts, which were all complete games. She allowed just five runs in 33 innings for a 1.06 ERA, and she struck out 22 batters.