Gallery: (5-13-2024) Spring 2024 Award Ceremony
Plainview – Wayland Baptist Athletics held their annual Spring Athletic Awards Banquet to recognize each spring sport's athletic achievements – including
D'Michael Bellfield (men's basketball) and
Mason Garrett (women's golf) receiving the prestigious Roscoe Snyder Award.
To go along with Bellfield and Garrett, four other athletes received Athletic Administration awards voted on by coaches and staff among the WBU athletic department.
Kaitlyn Jerden (women's basketball) and
Joshua Tucker (men's basketball) received the Wallace and Janis Davis Spirt Award for exemplifying spirit, courage and commitment to their team, coaches, and university.
Emily Sigala (women's basketball) and Dylan Jerden received the Bill Hardage Champions of Character Award for displaying the NAIA's five core character values: respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, service leadership, and integrity.
Every year, Wayland Baptist Athletics awards the Roscoe Snyder Award to the top male and female athlete who demonstrate outstanding character both during and outside of competition, as well as maintaining an unwavering commitment to their academics.
Bellfield, the men's Roscoe Snyder Award recipient, is a senior from Palestine, Texas who will graduate this May with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Bellfield was the leader of the Pioneers men's basketball squad this past season – averaging 13.3 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, while leading the Sooner Athletic Conference in field goal percentage at 61.1%. Bellfield was a 2023-24 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Second Team recipient, an All-SAC Tournament Team award winner, and a 2023-24 NCCAA Second Team All-American.
Garrett, the women's Roscoe Snyder Award recipient, is a senior from Mt. Pleasant, Texas who is set to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Fitness Management Composition: Recreation Leadership and Sport Management. Garrett was awarded the Pioneer Women's Golfer of the Year, making it back-to-back years for her to receive the award. Garrett also is a 2024 NAIA Scholar Athlete Award recipient and was a 2022-23 Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholar Team recipient. Garrett is also an avid member of Wayland Baptist FCA.
Kaitlyn Jerden, a senior from Littlefield, Texas, will be graduating this May with a bachelor's degree in Fitness Management Composite. Jerden missed the entire 2023-24 season for the Flying Queens after suffering an injury in the preseason, but she is a 1x COSIDA/CSC Academic All-American, a 2x NAIA Scholar Athlete Award recipient, and a former Sooner Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year.
Tucker, a junior from Childress, Texas, is majoring in Media Arts and Communication Studies. Tucker is a guard for the Pioneer basketball team, was a 2024 NAIA Scholar Athlete Award recipient, and is featured on the rePorter Show where they discuss all things Pioneers Athletics and keep the public aware of everything happening with WBU sports.
Sigala, a junior from Plainview, Texas, is a mathematics major specializing in grades 7-12. Sigala was the floor general this season for the Flying Queens as finished with a team-high 4.6 assists per game, which was also the best in the Sooner Athletic Conference. Sigala also led the SAC in assist/turnover ratio at 2.3.
D. Jerden, a senior from New Deal, Texas, is a senior majoring in Life Science specializing in grades 7-12. Jerden is an NAIA Scholar Athlete Award recipient and an All-Sooner Athletic Conference Honorable Mention. Jerden displayed character in many ways off the field, including serving as the Wayland Baptist FCA President.
The Roy McClung Service Award recipient was Dr. Justin Lawrence, who serves as the Title IX Coordinator for Wayland Baptist University, as well as Associate Dean, Professor of Criminal Justice and Public Administration. Dr. Lawrence has been with Wayland Baptist for 18 years, including six years as the Title IX Coordinator.
Other recognized in their respective sports who received most valuable awards were
Megan Nestor, women's basketball;
Felix Polanco, baseball;
Addy Rich, softball;
Alex Pena, men's wrestling;
Audalie Cruz, women's wrestling;
Benjamin Lubker, men's golf;
Lorenzo Luces, men's track and field;
Faith Castillo, women's track and field;
Collin Arnold, e-sports;
Aubrey Jaramillo, cheer.
2023-24 Athletic Department Awards
Roscoe Snyder Award –
D'Michael Bellfield (men's basketball) and
Mason Garrett (women's golf)
Wallace and Janis Davis Spirit Award –
Kaitlyn Jerden (women's basketball) and
Joshua Tucker (men's basketball)
Bill Hardage Champions of Character Award –
Emily Sigala (women's basketball) and Dylan Jerden (football)
Roy McClung Service Award – Dr. Justin Lawrence
Men's Basketball:
Most Valuable Player –
D'Michael Bellfield
Coaches Award –
Quenton Coleman
Scholar Award –
Brett Leach
Women's Basketball:
Fighting Heart Award –
Emily Sigala
Hutcherson Award –
Megan Nestor
Newcomer of the Year Award –
Bobbie Fouquet
Offensive Player of the Year –
Linda Brice
Baseball:
Pitcher of the Year –
Nathan Baca
Offensive Player of the Year –
Arcadio Frausto
Defensive Player of the Year –
Hayden Ingram
Most Valuable Player –
Felix Polanco
Brandon Henager Award –
Juan Gil-Franco
T-Mac Award –
Gustavo Nava
Softball:
Offensive Player of the Year –
Reagan Davis
Defensive Player of the Year –
Mikayla Carrillo
Utility Player of the Year –
Abcde Garcia
Newcomer of the Year –
Jadyn Fernandez
Fighting Pioneer Award –
Azalia Lozano
Outstanding Pioneer Award –
Addy Rich
Men's Wrestling:
Newcomer of the Year –
June An
Wrestler of the Year –
Alex Pena
Most Improved –
Ethan Frank
Servant Leader Award –
Josh Camillo
Strength of Character Award –
Malaiki Owens
Johnny Cobb Pioneer of the Year –
Hunter McCarty
Women's Wrestling:
Newcomer of the Year –
Payton Sholander
Wrestler of the Year –
Audalie Cruz
Most Improved –
Mohagany Casel
Servant Leader Award –
Makayla Heymann
Strength of Character Award –
Jazmin Shelton
Johnny Cobb Pioneer of the Year –
Keilani Guillermo
Men's Golf:
Player of the Year –
Benjamin Lubker
Manning Trophy –
Benjamin Lubker
Freshman of the Year –
Sacha Brendle
Women's Golf:
Golfer of the Year –
Mason Garrett
Most Improved –
Ashlynn Watley
Men's Track and Field:
Most Valuable Performer –
Lorenzo Luces
Newcomer of the Year – Keyshawn Garcia
Character Award – Evans Pololet
Most Improved –
Collin Goodman
Women's Track and Field:
Most Valuable Performer –
Faith Castillo
Newcomer of the Year –
Shanniel Graham
Character Award –
Hope Castillo
Most Improved –
Danielle Pacheco
E-Sports:
Best Debut –
Seth Hernandez
Completionist –
Brayden Welch
People's Champ –
Daniel Hartman
Player of the Year –
Collin Arnold
Cheer:
Leadership Award –
Aubrey Jaramillo
Most Improved –
Ja'Lynn Velasquez
