Athletes honored at fall awards presentation

The Wayland Baptist Athletics Department honored more than 25 student-athletes on Sunday evening during the 2014 fall awards presentation held in McClung University Center.
 
Among the highlights of the evening was Benard Keter being recognized as the NAIA national champion in men's cross country. Keter took home the team MVP award, while Damarius Lowery was named the Newcomer of the Year. In women's cross country, coach Brian Whitlock presented Selene Lopez with the MVP honor while Newcomer of the Year went to April Padilla. The Coaches Award was presented to Jason Rowe.
 
In volleyball, coach Jim Giacomazzi's MVP award went to Shahala Hawkins, while Chelsey Driskill was named the Offensive Player of the Year and Emily Welch the Ashleah Richards Defensive Player of the Year. Cat Wiechmann received the academic award.
 
John-Ramses Thomas repeated as the team MVP in men's soccer. Other awards presented by assistant coach Travis Rovillo went to David Neuberth for Offensive MVP for the second straight season, Ezequiel Amestoy for Defensive MVP, and Pedro Lima for Most Improved. Juan Sanchez and Taval Whittaker shared the Coaches Award.
 
Women's soccer coach Shiloh Posey presented Haley Reiser with the team MVP award for the second straight year. Jessica Karlen was the Defensive MVP, Jessica Bell the Offensive MVP, and Cerila Zamarripa the Coaches Award winner.
 
In football, all awards presented by coach Butch Henderson had at least two winners. Trey Rowe and Brandon Grant shared the Outstanding Offensive Player award; Jon-Lucas Powe, Alden Mann and David Hockenberry shared the Outstanding Defensive Player award; and Daniel Martinez and Brandon Sheppard shared the Outstanding Special Teams Player award. The Pioneer Spirit Award was presented to Richard Parham and Zac Wilkins, while Blair Magee and Brandon Sheppard received the Fighting Heart Award. Poe and Magee were repeat winners from last season.
  
Women's Cross Country
MVP: Selene Lopez
Newcomer of the Year: April Padilla
 
Men's Cross Country
Newcomer of the Year: Damarius Lowery
MVP: Benard Keter
Men's and Women's Coaches Award: Jason Rowe
 
Volleyball
Academic Award: Cat Wiechmann
Ashleah Richards Defensive Player of the Year: Emily Welch
Offensive Player of the Year: Chelsey Driskill
Most Valuable Player of the Year: Shahala Hawkins
 
Men's Soccer
Overall MVP: John-Ramses Thomas
Offensive MVP: David Neuberth
Defensive MVP: Ezequiel Amestoy
Most Improved: Pedro Lima
Coaches Award: Juan Sanchez, Taval Whittaker
 
Women's Soccer
Defensive MVP: Jessica Karlen
Offensive MVP: Jessica Bell
Overall MVP: Haley Reiser
Coach's Award: Cerila Zamarripa
 
Football
Outstanding Offensive Player: Trey Rowe, Brandon Grant
Outstanding Defensive Player: Jon-Lucas Poe, Alden Mann, David Hockenberry
Outstanding Special Teams Player: Daniel Martinez, Brandon Sheppard
Pioneer Spirit Player: Richard Parham, Zac Wilkins
Fighting Heart Award: Blair Magee, Brandon Sheppard