(Peru, Neb.) – Jon Sanley (Rising City) and Krista Patton (Nebraska City) were named as the 2010-11 Bert Swenson Award winners by the Peru State College (PSC) Athletic Department. Sanley and Patton were presented their awards during halftime of the PSC-Culver-Stockton College football game on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Each year since 1925, outstanding student athletes are presented with the Bert Swenson award in recognition of their participation in athletics, outstanding character, personality, service, and loyalty to Peru State College. The award was created in memory of Bert and Stella Swenson's 13-month old son, Bert Jr., who passed away.

Bert Swenson, Sr., was a football great who graduated from Peru State College in 1909. The Shickley, Neb., native served as the football team captain and class president during his senior year at PSC. In 2009, Mr. Swenson was honored posthumously with his induction into the PSC athletic hall of fame.

One female and one male student-athlete is selected each year by the Peru State College Athletic Department. Each head coach can nominate an individual his or her program who exemplifies the standards established for the honor. The athletic department staff selects the winners by secret ballot. The winners are each presented with a watch and commemorative medal provided by the Swenson family through the PSC foundation.

Swenson Award Presentation: (L to R) Bobcat softball coach Mark Mathews, Krista Patton, Dr. Dan Hanson, Elaine Hanson, Jon Sanley, and Bobcat baseball coach Wayne Albury

Jon Sanley was selected as the male awardee. Sanley was a 2006 graduate of Rising City High School and is the son of Rick and Cindy Sanley. After being recruited and playing football for one year, Jon decided to walk-on to the baseball team. Sanley made significant contributions to the Bobcat pitching staff over his four years. His career record was 13-11-1 with a 4.90 era. He tossed ten complete games with two coming by way of shutouts. Sanley's performances have entered him in the bobcat record books. Sanley finished tied for fifth in career appearances (48), seventh in career strikeouts (162), tied for seventh in games started (30), eighth in innings pitched (198.1) and tied for tenth in career wins (13). Jon is currently student teaching at Columbus Public Schools in Columbus, Nebraska.

Jon Sanley - 2010-11 Swenson Male Award Winner	Krista Patton - 2010-11 Swenson Female Award Winner

The female award winner was Krista Patton. Krista is the daughter of Dave and Kate Patton of Nebraska City and was a 2007 graduate of Nebraska City High School. Krista was a centerfielder earning 147 total starts for her career. She finished with a batting average of .317 with a slugging percentage of .411. On the field, she had only seven errors and fielding percentage of .966. With these statistics, Krista earned numerous all-conference honors as well as NFCA all region second team honors. In the classroom, she was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete two times. Patton served as the first chair of the Athletic Department's Student Athlete Advisory Council. This past May, Krista graduated from PSC with honors with a degree in human performance and systems management. Presently, Krista is enrolled in the college's masters' program in entrepreneurial and economic development. Krista is currently working at state farm insurance as a claims adjuster in Lincoln.

Presenting the awards to Sanley and Patton were PSC President Dr. Dan Hanson, his wife Elaine, Bobcat baseball coach Wayne Albury, and Bobcat softball coach Mark Mathews.