May 2017, Sports

Student-athletes honored at year-end banquet

Saint Augustine University wrapped up another year of competitive athletics by recognizing the outstanding contributions of its many athletes at the annual athletic banquet on April 25. The catered event was held in the Martin Luther King ballroom and included remarks by alumni and former SAU basketball player Anthony Boggan.

The ceremony honored the contributions of athletes from every competitive sport as well as the Bluechips cheearleading squad. Students, faculty and staff attended.

Student athletes who received the awards turned around and gave praise right back to coaches and fellow teammates.

“I was excited yet shocked to hear my name called for most valuable player on the SAU women’s bowling team,” said Phylicia Davis, a graduating senior majoring in criminal justice. “I am very grateful for this opportunity that was given to me and hopefully someday become a professional bowler. I want to thank my coaches and teammates for this award and for an amazing season.”

Anthony Gaskins, a senior, was named Most Valuable Player of the men’s basketball team. “I’m thankful for this opportunity and will always remain humble in everything that I pursue,” Gaskins said. “It’s a bittersweet feeling as my time winds down and I feel as though I left everything in me at Saint Augustine’s University.”

Aarnesica Harris, a junior majoring in elementary education and a member of the Bluechips, was happy that cheerleaders were recognized. “Even though most people think that cheerleading is a sport, we work just as hard as any other team,” Harris said. “I didn’t receive any award tonight but I know my time is coming and with patience and dedication I can do anything I put my mind to.”

Shakeisha Washington, a graduating senior majoring in sociology and a member of the Lady Falcon’s basketball team, said she “really enjoyed” the awards banquet.

“The food was amazing and well as the speakers,” Washington said. “I’m going to really miss this as my time here at Saint Aug comes to an end. Nothing but positive vibes from my teammates and classmates tonight. Everyone looked stunning and a big congrats to all who received an award.”

2016-17 Award Winner are listed below:

CHEERLEADING

Highest Grade Point Average: Isis Thomas

Most Improved Cheerleader Award: Asia Bethea

Coaches Award: Nyshanti Greene

Most Valuable Cheerleader Award: Trynace Miller

 

BASEBALL

Highest Grade Point Average: Timothy Carter

Most Improved Player Award: Corey Brassington, Chris Ingram

Coaches Award: Michael Keels

Most Valuable Player Award: Rickey Rice

 

VOLLEYBALL

Highest Grade Point Average: Shakera Hall

Most Improved Player Award: Marley Parker

Coaches Award: Shakera Hall

Most Valuable Player Award: Zoey Isom

 

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Highest Grade Point Average: Leah Barker

Most Improved Athlete Award: Nia Erwin-Sherrod

Most Valuable Newcomer Award: Iris Robinson

Most Valuable Athlete Award: Mylene Cannon

 

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Highest Grade Point Average: Shawn Rowe

Most Improved Athlete Award: Khari Herbert, Jr.

Most Valuable Newcomer Award: Nikolas Thomas

Most Valuable Athlete Award: Shaquille Dill

 

WOMEN’S BOWLING

Highest Grade Point Average: La’Tricha Parks

Coaches Award: Tyisha Smith

Most Valuable Freshman Award: Phylicia Davis

Most Valuable Bowler Award: Rakeshia Sanders

 

MEN’S GOLF

Highest Grade Point Average: Howard Walker

Most Improved Golfer Award: Tevin Williams

Coaches Award: Kendall White

Most Valuable Golfer Award: J.T. Moore

 

SOFTBALL

Highest Grade Point Average: Marley Parker

Most Valuable Freshman Award: Makayla August

Coaches Award: Jasmine Rios

Most Valuable Player Award: Meranda Zanni

 

WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

Highest Grade Point Average: Shakera Hall

Most Improved Athlete Award: Tia-Adana Belle

Most Valuable Track & Field Award: Shakinah Brooks

Most Valuable Athlete Award: Ornella Livingston

 

MEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

Highest Grade Point Average: Omar Johnson

Most Improved Athlete Award: Jumonne Exeter

Most Valuable Track & Field Award: Khari Herbert, Jr.

Most Valuable Athlete Award: Shaquille Dill

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Highest Grade Point Average: Teeria Vaughan

Most Improved Player Award: Kelsee Arnold

Coaches Award: Shakeisha Washington

Most Valuable Player Award: Kaaliya Williams

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Highest Grade Point Average: Julio Cardoso

Most Improved Player Award: Andre Stanley

Coaches Award: Anthony Gaskins

Most Valuable Player Award: Quincy January

 

WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

Highest Grade Point Average: Shakera Hall

Most Improved Athlete Award: Ade Hunter

Most Valuable Track & Field Award: Shakinah Brooks

Most Valuable Athlete Award: Tia-Adana Belle

 

MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

Highest Grade Point Average: Omar Johnson

Most Improved Athlete Award: Adrian Kimmons

Most Valuable Track & Field Award: Shawn Rowe

Most Valuable Athlete Award: Shaquille Dill and Khari Herbert, Jr.

 

FOOTBALL

Highest Grade Point Average: Anthony Arthur

Most Improved Player Award: Keywan Morgan

Most Valuable Freshman Award: Larry Blanton

Most Valuable Offensive Player Award: Sam Boyd

Most Valuable Defensive Player Award: Chasz Cosby

Most Valuable Special Teams Award: Denzel Malone-Huff

Most Valuable Player Award: D.J. Johnson

— Jarrod Sibert