Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Third-annual Dawgspys Award banquet recognizes student-athlete excellence
05/02/2019 | 9:01:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The third-annual Dawgspy's student-athlete awards banquet took place at SIU Arena on Thursday night to recognize athletic and academic excellence in Saluki Athletics during the past year. Organized and produced by student-athletes, and funded through a grant from the NCAA, the Dawgspy's honored the following individuals.
Newcomer of the Year — A standout freshman/transfer student-athlete who demonstrated outstanding athletic performance during competition.
Male: Willie Rodgers
Female: Ashley Wood
Coach Cal Heart of the Saluki Award — This award goes to an athlete that has the true heart of a Saluki. Having the heart of a Saluki means pushing through adversity, always being positive no matter what the circumstance.
Matt DeSomer
Coach Sewell Heart of the Saluki Award — This award goes to an athlete that has the true heart of a Saluki. Having the heart of a Saluki means pushing through adversity, always being positive no matter what the circumstance.
Caitlyn Claussen
Jerry Kill Award — A student who is the full embodiment of what it means to be a Saluki student-athlete. The student excels in the classroom and best represents the athletic community. The student made a significant contribution to the team this year and donated their time to community service as well. This student must maintains a GPA of 3.25 or above.
Winner: Ryan Lehane
Charlotte West Award — A student who is the full embodiment of what it means to be a Saluki student-athlete. The student excels in the classroom and best represents the athletic community. The student made a significant contribution to the team this year and donated their time to community service as well. This student must maintains a GPA of 3.25 or above.
Winner: Jackie Biggs
Senior Saluki Award — A standout senior student-athlete who demonstrated outstanding athletic performance during competition, lead the team on and off the field, worked hard in the classroom and gave their everything to being a Saluki Athlete for 4 years. (No transfers) This student must be a senior who maintains a GPA of 3.25 or above.
Male: Peyton Wilhoit
Female: Jordan Ries
MVP — Most Valuable Player — It is for a Saluki athlete, who was standout all season long. Constantly proved themselves on the field. This award is purely based on athletic performance.
Male: Adam Kessler
Female: Nicole Martin
Record Breaking Performance — This athlete broke a school, MVC, or national record. This athlete may not have been the MVP, but he/she had a standout record-breaking performance during competition.
Female: Brianna Jones
Best Individual Performance — This award goes to the student that had a season defining performance
Male: Raphael Leonard
Female: Beibei Ji
Best Sport Moment Award — This award goes to the team or individual whose performance was both inspirational and memorable through either a single act or a broader storyline. This moment can be on or off the playing surface.
Maddy Meyer
Best Breakthrough Award — This award goes to an athlete who has increased his or her athletic performance dramatically.
Eric McGill
Best Team Performance Award — This award goes to the team that had a season defining performance.
Women's Swimming & Diving
Strength & Conditioning Award — This award goes to the athlete who demonstrated tremendous hard work in the weight room and pushed themselves to the limits to make the extra mile.
Male: Justin Yeager
Female: Emma Baalman
Team Excellence Award
Male: Cross Country
Female: Softball
Community Service Award
Male: Chris Edwards
Female: Jessica Peck
Leadership Award
Chris Cole
Head Coach of the Year
Rick Walker
Assistant Coach of the Year
Jen Sewell
Newcomer of the Year — A standout freshman/transfer student-athlete who demonstrated outstanding athletic performance during competition.
Male: Willie Rodgers
Female: Ashley Wood
Coach Cal Heart of the Saluki Award — This award goes to an athlete that has the true heart of a Saluki. Having the heart of a Saluki means pushing through adversity, always being positive no matter what the circumstance.
Matt DeSomer
Coach Sewell Heart of the Saluki Award — This award goes to an athlete that has the true heart of a Saluki. Having the heart of a Saluki means pushing through adversity, always being positive no matter what the circumstance.
Caitlyn Claussen
Jerry Kill Award — A student who is the full embodiment of what it means to be a Saluki student-athlete. The student excels in the classroom and best represents the athletic community. The student made a significant contribution to the team this year and donated their time to community service as well. This student must maintains a GPA of 3.25 or above.
Winner: Ryan Lehane
Charlotte West Award — A student who is the full embodiment of what it means to be a Saluki student-athlete. The student excels in the classroom and best represents the athletic community. The student made a significant contribution to the team this year and donated their time to community service as well. This student must maintains a GPA of 3.25 or above.
Winner: Jackie Biggs
Senior Saluki Award — A standout senior student-athlete who demonstrated outstanding athletic performance during competition, lead the team on and off the field, worked hard in the classroom and gave their everything to being a Saluki Athlete for 4 years. (No transfers) This student must be a senior who maintains a GPA of 3.25 or above.
Male: Peyton Wilhoit
Female: Jordan Ries
MVP — Most Valuable Player — It is for a Saluki athlete, who was standout all season long. Constantly proved themselves on the field. This award is purely based on athletic performance.
Male: Adam Kessler
Female: Nicole Martin
Record Breaking Performance — This athlete broke a school, MVC, or national record. This athlete may not have been the MVP, but he/she had a standout record-breaking performance during competition.
Female: Brianna Jones
Best Individual Performance — This award goes to the student that had a season defining performance
Male: Raphael Leonard
Female: Beibei Ji
Best Sport Moment Award — This award goes to the team or individual whose performance was both inspirational and memorable through either a single act or a broader storyline. This moment can be on or off the playing surface.
Maddy Meyer
Best Breakthrough Award — This award goes to an athlete who has increased his or her athletic performance dramatically.
Eric McGill
Best Team Performance Award — This award goes to the team that had a season defining performance.
Women's Swimming & Diving
Strength & Conditioning Award — This award goes to the athlete who demonstrated tremendous hard work in the weight room and pushed themselves to the limits to make the extra mile.
Male: Justin Yeager
Female: Emma Baalman
Team Excellence Award
Male: Cross Country
Female: Softball
Community Service Award
Male: Chris Edwards
Female: Jessica Peck
Leadership Award
Chris Cole
Head Coach of the Year
Rick Walker
Assistant Coach of the Year
Jen Sewell
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