Mann, Ramos, Jemeli, Almaraz repeat winners

Close to 30 student-athletes were recognized when the Wayland Baptist University Fall Sports Awards were presented Sunday evening in McClung Center.

Three student-athletes repeated their awards from last year. In volleyball, senior Rossanna Ramos won the Ashleah Richards Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year, senior Alden Mann was named Defensive Most Valuable Player in football, and Jackline Jemeli was named women's cross country MVP after also winning last year as a freshman.

In addition, Raul Almaraz went home with a cross country award for the second straight year. After being named men's top newcomer in 2015, Almaraz was awarded men's MVP this year.

Other awards in cross country saw Silvia Sosa and Elizabeth Williams share women's newcomer of the year while Eric Villagrana was men's top newcomer. Abril Padilla received the Heart and Toughness Award.

Besides Ramos, who also was named MVP, other volleyball players earning honors were Megan Sharratt as offensive player of the year and Sadie Staton as most improved, while Jessica Stohlmann earned the academic award.

Joining Mann as football players recognized were Mitchell Parsley as offensive MVP, Preston Woodard as special teams MVP, Tomas Mancinas as Pioneer Spirit Player, and Brandon Grant and Brandon Sheppard as co-Fighting Heart honorees.

In women's soccer, Valeria Garcia was named team MVP, Chelsea Beaubouef and Ellen Hunsaker were named MVPs on offense and defense, respectively, and Caddie Boline and Stone Graham shared newcomer of the year.

And in men's soccer, Taval Whittaker and Darryn Hlabangana earned offensive and defensive MVP, respectively, Guillermo Deal was named freshman of the year, Ernesto Benitez and João Souza shared most improved, Gian Scalise took home newcomer of the year, and James Quinn earned the Coaches Award. Miguel Teos and Dean Johnson were recognized as Assistant Coaches of the Year.

WBU Director of Athletics Rick Cooper recognized retiring WBU Director of Alumni and longtime WBU athletics booster Danny Andrews, who also provided opening remarks and a prayer. WBU Dean of Students Brad Miles offered closing remarks and the benediction.

Student-athletes were treated to a variety of desserts.

Wayland Baptist University 2016 Fall Athletic Awards
Volleyball
Offensive Player of Year: Megan Sharratt
Ashleah Richards Defensive Player of Year: Rossanna Ramos 
Academic Award: Jessica Stohlmann 
Most Improved: Sadie Staton 
 
Cross Country
MVP Women: Jackline Jemeli
Newcomer of Year Women: Silvia Sosa/Elizabeth Williams
MVP Men: Raul Almaraz
Newcomer of Year Men: Eric Villagrana
Heart and Toughness Award: Abril Padilla
 
Football
Defensive MVP: Alden Mann
Offensive MVP: Mitchell Parsley
Special Teams MVP: Preston Woodard
Pioneer Spirit Player: Tomas Mancinas
Fighting Heart: Brandon Grant, Brandon Sheppard
 
Women's Soccer
Offensive MVP:  Chelsea Beaubouef
Defensive MVP: Ellen Hunsaker
MVP: Valeria Garcia
Co-Newcomers of Year: Caddie Boline & Stone Graham
 
Men's Soccer
Offensive MVP: Taval Whittaker
Freshman of Year: Guillermo Deal
Defensive MVP: Darryn Hlabangana
Most Improved: Ernesto Benitez & Joao Souza
Newcomer of Year: Gian Scalise
Coaches Award: James Quinn
Assistant Coach of Year: Miguel Teos, Dean Johnson