Albany State honors athletes at annual banquet

ALBANY — Albany State University student-athletes were honored for their outstanding academic and athletic achievements during the 45th Annual All-Sports Banquet at ASU’s Health, Physical Education and Recreation Complex Tuesday night. Student-athletes who participated in the 11 sports and two activities were honored during the event.

“The banquet was an opportunity to honor our student-athletes for their accomplishments during the 2014-2015 season,” ASU Athletics Director Dr. Richard H. Williams said.

“Each year, we honor our Lady Rams and Golden Rams teams for their athletic and academic accomplishments. This is our opportunity to thank them for the banner year we had in athletics, along with their dedication and service to the university.”

More than 100 student athletes were honored, including Artisha Holston and Jarvis Small, who received ASU’s top awards, the 2015 Female and Male Athlete-of-the-Year awards. Cedric Ashe received The RAM Award, which is presented to the student-athlete who exhibits school spirit, dedication, leadership and service to the community.

As a sophomore, Holston led the Lady Rams’ to the 2015 SIAC tournament championship. She was named the 2015 SIAC All-Conference First Team and the NCAA South Region Second Team. This is the second consecutive year Holston has been named the Female Athlete of the Year.

Small, the junior offensive leader for the ASU football team, led the Rams to the SIAC Eastern Division championship and the 2015 SIAC title game. He was named the 2014 SIAC Offensive Player of the Year and voted to the SIAC All-Conference offensive first team and the NCAA Super Region Two team.

In addition to the Athlete of the Year, ASU Athletics incorporated the first-ever All-Lady Ram and All-Golden Ram teams. The inaugural All-Lady Ram Team featured Kaliah Carter (women’s volleyball), Alexa Lopez (women’s softball), CreeAnn Perkins (women’s track & field), Olivia Traylor (women’s track & field) and Chelsea Hicks (women’s softball). Jared Jordan (men’s track & field), Daniel Oduah (men’s track & field), Terrence Worthy (baseball), Tavarius Washington (football), and Jordan Thompson (men’s track & field) were recognized on the All-Golden Ram team.

As a member of the ASU Football team, Ashe helped the team to the 2014 SIAC Eastern Division championship and the SIAC championship game. He is also the president for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

On the offensive side of the gridiron, the football team awarded Small with the Most Valuable Player trophy. Victor Moli received the Best Lineman Award, Javoris Wilborn and Ryan Latner were named Most Improved Players. Tedrick Cofield received the Best Freshman Award.

On defense, both Larry Whitfield and Washington were named the Most Valuable Player. Grover Stewart received the Best Lineman Award and Calvin Harris took home the Most Improved Player award. Nick Scott was named Best Freshman, while Stefan Whitehead received the Best Special Team Player Award.

Demetrius Williams was given the Coaches’ Award. Football Academic Achievement Awards went to Jamal Abd Al-Qadir, Ashe, Yancey Burns, Devonta Osborne, Frank Rivers, Calvin Harris and Small.

Top Golden Rams baseball awards went to Ryan Latner as the Most Valuable Player, and Worthy received the Best Offensive Player Award. Outfielder Reise McDaniel received the Best Defensive Player Award. Cullen Coulter was named the Pitcher of the Year, and DeMarkus Green received the Teammate of the Year Award. Jonatan Galan, Matthew Hickox, William Logan, II and Green received Academic Achievement Awards.

The Lady Rams’ softball team’s Most Valuable Player, Homerun Queen and Best Offensive Player Awards went to Malea Maye. Pitcher Alexa Lopez was named Best Defensive Player, and Kayla Alexander took home the Best All-Around trophy. Chelsea Hicks, Anria Peterson, Tiffany Massey and Kyera Whitaker earned Academic Achievement Awards.

Holston was named ASU Women’s Basketball Most Valuable Player and Best Offensive Player, while the Defensive Player of the Year Award went to guard Iesha Young. Point guard Mecca Frost received the Best All-Around. Academic awards went to Holston, Durriyyah Drummond and Shanice Williams.

Guard Larry Bullock was named the Best Offensive Player for men’s basketball and forward Demetri Wheeler received the Best Defensive Player Award. Wheeler also garnered an award for the highest GPA. Wheeler and Jeremy Whitmore received Academic Achievement Awards.

ASU tennis player Vivian Moultrie was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and Best Doubles with Keona Livatt. Samantha Heard received the Most Improved Award. Kiara Thompson and Desiree Wesson received Academic Achievement Awards.

ASU men’s track and field awards went to Jordan as the Most Valuable Track Runner and Thompson, who was honored with The Man Award. The Track and Field Freshman of the Year Award went to Oduah. Rashon Miller was presented with the Academic Achievement Award.

On the women’s side, Traylor was named Most Valuable Track Performer and she was also presented with the Senior and High Point Awards. Perkins was given the Most Valuable Field Performer Award and Philicia Batton was named Most Improved. Academic Achievement Awards were given to Traylor, Jamiya Catchings, Mykeese Edwards, Charity Grimes, Keanu Hall, Jalleyah Jordan, Morgane Rainwater, and Jeronda Stringfield.

Traylor was named the Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year, while the Best Men’s Cross Country Runner award went to Jamorris Hill.

The Most Outstanding Player Award for women’s volleyball went to Jennifer Evans and Carter received the Best Defensive Player Award. Kristen Randolph was named the Best Offensive Player. Tiffany Roesler and Kiara Thompson earned Academic Achievement Awards.

For the ASU cheerleading squad, Kamri Holloway received the Cheerleader of the Year Award, and Omi Potts was named Most Valuable Performer. Ashley Gibson was named Best All-Around, while Jessica Barillas received the Most Improved Award. Sydnee Heidt was presented with the Coach’s Award, Anaiah Hopewell was named Freshman of the Year, and Daija Ward received the Most Dedicated Award.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee honored Ashe with the Edythe Y. Bradley Leadership Award. Jervon Pack, Jonatan Galan, and Olivia Traylor were presented with Community Service Awards, while Mario Barker and Morgane Rainwater received Advisors’ Awards.

The Platinum Divas Leadership Award was presented to both Tesha Brooks and Patrice Ellison. Wynter Reid received the Most Outstanding Dancer award, and the Most Dedicated Dancer went to Danielle Watkins. Gabrielle Harper was named Most Improved Dancer, and Jasmine Mitchell took home the Coaches Award.