Whitten, Roman clean up at fall awards ceremony

Football player Skyler Whitten was a three-time honoree, and soccer player Bianca Roman was a three-peat winner when Wayland Baptist handed out its fall athletic awards Sunday evening. In addition, cross country runner Dennis Kiptoo, soccer players Marco Magnoli and Audilia Vargas, and volleyball players Alexa Hinojos and Amber Daniel all were repeat winners,
 
Roman, a senior from Fort Worth, was honored as offensive player of the year in women's soccer after sharing that award last season and earning defensive MVP two years ago. Additionally, Roman was overall player of the year for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
 
Whitten, a junior receiver/kick returner from Wichita Falls, was a dual repeat winner for the Pioneer football team, taking home awards for offensive and special teams MVP the past two seasons. This year he added the Fighting Heart Award to his haul.
 
Magnoli went from newcomer of the year last season to player of the year this season in men's soccer, while in women's soccer Vargas claimed defensive player of the year after securing newcomer of the year last season.
 
In volleyball, Hinojos earned her second straight most improved award while Daniel went from defensive player of the year to overall MVP.
 
Kiptoo accepted the men's cross country runner of the year this season after being the newcomer of year in 2019.
 
Other MVP in their respective sports were freshman Kanade Morita in women's soccer, Teresha Jacobs in women's cross country, Kevin White on defense in football, and Julio Alvarado in reserve men's soccer.
 
2021 WBU Fall Athletic Awards
Volleyball
Ashleah Richards Defensive Player of the Year: Ariel Marquez
Most Improved: Alexa Hinojos
Academic Award: Paxton Patterson
Most Valuable Player: Amber Daniel
 
Cross Country
Women's Runner of the Year: Teresha Jacobs
Men's Runner of the Year: Dennis Kiptoo
Newcomer of the Year: Jordan Valle
Character Award: Cole Rubak
 
Women's Soccer
Offensive Player of the Year: Bianca Roman
Defensive Player of the Year: Audilia Vargas
Overall Player of the Year: Kanade Morita
Newcomer of the Year: Reagan Cordell
 
Men's Soccer/Varsity
Best Teammate Award: Luis Soares
Player of the Year: Marco Magnoli
Newcomer of the Year: Ilkkan Sahin
Most Improved Player: Antonio Menendez
Men's Soccer/Reserve Team
Best Teammate: Edgar Zamarripa
Player of the Year: Julio Alvarado
Newcomer of the Year: Julio Alvarado
Most Improved Player Award: Jackson Kent
 
Football
Most Valuable Offense: Skyler Whitten
Most Valuable Defense: Kevin White
Most Valuable Special Teams: Skyler Whitten
Pioneer Spirit Award: Brett Wilson, Gerome Henry
Fighting Heart: Skyler Whitten