Oklahoma City University's women's wrestling team will be among Oklahoma's outstanding athletes honored by the March of Dimes in the 34th Annual Sports Headliner Banquet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Skirvin Hilton, 1 Park Avenue in Oklahoma City.

Each year the March of Dimes honors athletes and coaches that have made an impact on Oklahoma through achievement and recognition. This year's winners are among Oklahoma's finest, including Oklahoma City Thunder player and NBA All-Star Kevin Durant. The Thunder organization will also be honored with the March of Dimes' Community Spirit Award.

Durant, the second-leading scorer in the NBA has been selected as this year's Sports Headliner. His 29 consecutive games of scoring 25 points or more is a franchise record and the longest streak since Michael Jordan's 40 games in 1986-87.

Oklahoma State football head coach Mike Gundy and OSU cross country coach David Smith will share the award for this year's Headliner Special. A Special Recognition Award will be given to Wayman Tisdale, who passed away May 15, 2009. This award will honor his many accomplishments including three time all-American basketball player at Oklahoma, and second overall selection in '85 NBA draft. Wife Regina and son Wayman Tisdale Jr. will accept the award on his behalf. The family of Leodies Robinson will be accepting the Special Recognition Award for his work in creating the Millwood Football Program and making it into a state championship contender in Class 2A football. He passed away on Nov. 16, 2009.

The March of Dimes will also honor other talented Oklahoma athletes, with Honoree Awards (in no particular order):

·         OSU men's cross country team and German Fernandez
·         OCU women's wrestling team
·         Shattuck High School Football Team
·         Gerald McCoy
·         Rick Fowler
·         Arnau Bruges
·         Wes Welker Foundation

In 2009-10, the Stars collected their second consecutive Women's College Wrestling Association championship and third NWCA National Duals title in a row. OCU went 23-0-1 in duals.

OCU's Brittany Delgado, Michaela Hutchison, Amberle Montgomery and Stephanie Waters captured individual crowns, while Melissa Simmons and Nicole Woody finished as national finalists. The Stars had 13 all-Americans, while OCU coach Archie Randall took home WCWA coach of the year.

The Stars have a 3.3 team grade-point average, and Emma Johnson, Sheila McCabe and Tessa Plana each hold a 3.5 or better overall GPA to earn scholar-athlete awards.

As the recipient of the Community Spirit Award, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be recognized for its tireless efforts to give back to the community. The organization continues to find new and innovative ways to enrich the quality of life in Oklahoma, especially among children in the areas of education and physical fitness.

The event will begin with a special reception for media and sponsors at 6 p.m. followed by the awards dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available. For more information, please contact the March of Dimes at (405) 943-1025 or go to MarchofDimes.com/Oklahoma.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.