COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recently awarded Tennessee Tech senior Scott Schweitzer and sophomore Kendall Hooper with its annual All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year awards.

The honor recognizes student-athletes whose accomplishments, in the opinion of the strength coach, reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. These athletes are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments as well as their integrity as student-athletes.

Hooper, a 5-foot-6 catcher on the Golden Eagle softball team, is batting .284 on the season with four extra-base hits and six runs batted in. She has started 26 games for the Golden Eagles and is a perfect 3-for-3 in stolen bases. 

The sophomore also displays strength in the classroom, earning a 3.4 grade point average while majoring in biology and health studies. She has been named to both the Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's and TTU Athletic Director's Honor Rolls. A native of Hermitage, Tenn., Hooper has racked up 115 putouts with a fielding percentage of .984 and has thrown out four batters attempting steals against her. 

“Kendall has displayed strength numbers we have never seen before at Tennessee Tech,” Pugh said. "We look forward to continuing to see her hit high numbers both in the weight room and on the field."

Schweitzer was named a permanent team captain for the Golden Eagles after helping to lead the team to a share of the Ohio Valley Conference championship in 2011. A mainstay in the Golden Eagle attack during his career, Schweitzer won the Most Valuable Offensive Lineman Award. He started 42 games during the past four years and helped the team to establish 26 offensive school records in 2011.

A native of Alpharetta, Ga., Schweitzer was a consensus All-America selection with his name listed on four different post-season teams. He earned third-team honors from the Associated Press, Sports Network and Phil Steele's Football, and was a second-team pick by College Sports Madness.

“Scott has been a pleasure to train,” Pugh said. "He always gives you his best effort and he has been a solid leader on a championship team."

This year the NSCA awarded 225 collegiate and high school athletes from 90 schools with this esteemed award. The NSCA All-American Athlete of the Year award program is in its 33rd year and is made possible by a grant from Power Systems, Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn.