Cheyenne Lewis wins 2013 Chris Canning Award of Excellence
Cheyenne Lewis earned the 2013 Chris Canning Award of Excellence on July 6 for her academic, athletic and philanthropic achievements. This was the ninth annual award, which recognizes taekwondo athletes for achieving greatness not only in the ring but also in the classroom and in their communities. The other three finalists who joined Lewis were Zachery Budde, Logan Gerick and Steven Thompson.

The Chris Canning Award of Excellence is presented to the one martial artist who most exhibits what Chris represented and achieved. He or she has excelled academically, gained national and international acclaim as a martial arts competitor, given back to the community they live in and demonstrated the same personal attributes as the awards namesake. Previous winners of the Award of Excellence include: Adrienne Ivey (2012), Haley Kong (2011), Olie Burton (2010), Matt Dunlap (2009), Paige McPherson (2008), Jermaine James (2007), Maia Eubanks (2006) and Aimee Callison (2005).

The Chris Canning Award of Excellence, given by the USAT and the Chris Canning Foundation, is the most prestigious award given in his name. At the 2008 Senior National Championships, a special recognition by the United States Olympic Committee was given to his family for Chris living his life as a representative of the Olympic Ideals and for his personal, academic, artistic and athletic excellence. Last year, Paige McPherson, Terrence Jennings and Juan Moreno of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team presented the award in his honor to Adrienne Ivey. This year's award will be presented by Mr. Bruce Harris, interim CEO, and Miss Christina Bayley.