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Zylan Cheatham, Heather Udowitch Win Bill Kajikawa Award

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Zylan Cheatham, Heather Udowitch Win Bill Kajikawa AwardZylan Cheatham, Heather Udowitch Win Bill Kajikawa Award

Congratulations Devils ?? #SunDevilsGraduate pic.twitter.com/2CoIGi5nUL

— Sun Devil OSAD (@SunDevil_OSAD) May 7, 2019

LIVE: Sun Devil Athletics hosts the 2019 Stole Ceremony for graduating student-athletes https://t.co/sH9eoktzVW

— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) May 6, 2019
TEMPE, Ariz. – Gymnastics senior Heather Udowitch and men's basketball senior Zylan Cheatham are this year's recipients of the Bill Kajikawa Award, as announced by the department on Monday. The award is annually presented to one male and one female graduating senior student-athlete in recognition for his and her contributions at Arizona State University in honor of legendary Sun Devil Bill Kajikawa.

Zylan Cheatham fouls out with 2:06 left.

During my time on this beat (10 years), I've never covered a player more universally respected, both inside and outside the program.

— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) March 22, 2019

Sun Devil Athletics selects the Kajikawa Award recipients based on demonstrated academic excellence, athletic accomplishment, leadership and service in the community. 

Udowitch is wrapping up her four years as a Gym Devil, leaving behind a strong legacy. This last year, she has been the co-president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

Huge congrats to @SunDevilGym graduating senior @heat_udowitch as a recipient of the prestigious Bill Kajikawa Award presented by the Athletics Department. The Award is based on demonstrated academic excellence, athletic accomplishment, leadership and service in the community. pic.twitter.com/jNAZIXCTa2

— Doug Dutke (@Dougout_Pics) May 7, 2019
 
In gymnastics, Udowitch has been a key member of the lineup. Each season, she has been a consistent member of the beam lineup, missing just seven meets in her career. She scored a 9.800 or better seven times on beam. Her career high is a 9.875, which came at the 2017 Pac-12 Championships. That is the highest score for Udowitch in any event in her career. She has also been a key addition to the floor lineup for the majority of her time at ASU, scoring a 9.800 or better three times.
 
Along with athletic accomplishments, Udowitch has been a star in the classroom. She was a WCGA Scholastic All-American in 2017 and 2018. She also was named to the Pac-12 All-Academic First Team in 2019 and 2018, as well as earning second team honors in 2017. She is graduating as a member of Barrett, The Honors College.
 

"I want to be remembered for my passion, my drive, my positivity."

In the last post-game interview of the season, after ASU's year came to a close, Zylan Cheatham (@1KingZ4) reflected on the Buffalo game, his favorite memories and his time at ASU. @sportscronkite pic.twitter.com/2WrOqZlrgu

— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) March 23, 2019
Cheatham came to Arizona State for one season after playing at San Diego State for three years. Though he was only a Sun Devil for one year, his impact was felt on the court and in the community with incredible interactions with media and fans. A first-team All-Pac-12 pick and also an All-Pac-12 Defensive team member, he led the Pac-12 in rebounding and helped lead ASU to its second straight NCAA appearance, a first for the program since 1980-81.

It is always great seeing former NFL @AZCardinals and @Broncos QB Jake Plummer. @snakestakes He will be the keynote speaker at the third annual Sun Devil Athletics Stole Ceremony this afternoon. @ASUFootball #ASU pic.twitter.com/QVKqSpAA2A

— Brad Gass (@bradgassfox10) May 6, 2019

Today's stole ceremony. So proud of these guys @1KingZ4 @dequonlake @robedwardss2 @MickeyMitchell0 ???? pic.twitter.com/t0SsnYLYMY

Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) May 7, 2019 

Congratulations to our three graduates who were honored at the student-athlete Stole Ceremony ????yesterday afternoon #SunDevilsForLife pic.twitter.com/7hZ2rgbaoz

— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) May 7, 2019

Thank you to the amazing Sun Devils of the Class of 2019! pic.twitter.com/LhXcEqG9yM

— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) May 7, 2019