The University of Missouri–St. Louis Athletics Department honored its 51 graduating seniors Thursday night at the Fifth Annual Senior Student-Athlete Banquet, held at the Hilton St. Louis Airport.

Each senior was individually honored, while two members of the class were named Senior Student-Athletes of the Year. This year’s female honoree was Devonna Smith (women’s basketball), while Joe Atkisson (men’s golf) was the male recipient.

Smith left her mark on the UMSL women’s basketball program in just three seasons and graduates as one of its best rebounders, ranking second all-time with 726 career rebounds. Each of her single season totals ranks among the top 10, including her 247 this season, which is sixth.

A two-time First Team All-GLVC selection, Smith also etched her name in several other career categories, including free throws attempted (3rd – 365), blocked shots (5th – 52), field goals made (8th – 398), free throws made (9th -224), field goal percentage 9th – .492) and points scored (10th – 1,020).

Smith started all 29 games this season, averaging 12.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, while helping the UMSL Tritons to a 21-8 record – the program’s second most wins. UMSL also earned its second NCAA Tournament bid, and the first since 2000. The Tritons came up just short with a 69-63 loss to Lewis. In that game, Smith scored a season-high 23 points, including her 1,000th, becoming the 13th player in program history accomplish that feat.

Off the court, Smith is completing a master’s degree in criminal justice.

Atkisson will graduate as one of the best golfers to come through the program, having nearly rewritten the record book single-handedly during his four-year standout career.

During his time as a Triton, Atkisson has helped put the program in the national spotlight, leading the team to three NCAA Regional appearances, while qualifying individually as a sophomore. Last season, he helped the team to a tie for fifth place nationally at the NCAA Championships, the program’s best finish.

A two-time All-GLVC honoree, Atkisson was crowned the individual champion as a junior, the first player in program history to claim GLVC medalist honors.

Atkisson is on pace to graduate as the program’s all-time scoring average leader and owns a career stroke average of 75.27. He will also graduate as the career leader in par or better rounds (currently has 27) and rounds played (currently at 125).

This season, Atkisson owns a stroke average of 74.84, which ranks seventh on the single season charts.

Off the course, he is an international business major with a minor in Spanish and is a two-time Academic All-GLVC honoree. As a junior he was also named an All-America Scholar by Cleveland Golf/ Srixon.

Congratulations and best of luck to all of the following UMSL seniors:

Volleyball: Chelsea Burkle, Anna McNulty

Men’s Soccer: Majed Alam, Matt Burrus, Garrette Daugherty, Chad Haymart, Dane O’Keefe, Logan Ream

Women’s Soccer: Michelle Cissi, Brittany Harbaugh, Christine Lips and Kaitlyn Smugala

Women’s Basketball: Devonna Smith, Hazaria Washington, Alyssa Like and Jessica Zavoral

Men’s Basketball: Darian Cartharn, Femi John, Kevin Dwyer, Shea Sumpter, Michael Weber and Eli Weigley

Men’s Tennis: Gabriel Oliveira, Tim Gorter

Women’s Tennis: Nina Bellanger, Danielle Henkel, Louisa Werner

Women’s Golf: Gabriela Murcia, Daniella Vioti

Men’s Golf: Joe Atkisson, Warren Crow, Justin Hyun

Softball: Ashleigh King

Baseball: Michael Budka, Tyler Bunge, Kyle Dermody, Cody Garlington, Ben Klaustermeier, Philip Landwehr, Justin Lois, Paul Richmond, Jonathan Rosario, Zach Standefer, Scott Szarek, Spencer Thompson, Joe Wieczkowski

Cheerleading: Brad Flynn, Kineu Gayfield-Carr, Miriah Bruns, Amy Wilson, Danelle Tate