COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College athletic department honored its student-athletes at its annual athletic awards banquet on Monday night at the Brookland Banquet and Conference Center.
Marcus Goode, the two-time Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball Player of the Year, and LaTayvia Mack, a three-sport standout who was named the SIAC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year, were the top honorees, receiving the Johnny Brown Award. The award is named after the former legendary coach and athletic director, who spent 32 years serving Benedict College, where he coached football, baseball and basketball for the Tigers. This award is given to the most outstanding student-athlete.
Goode helped lead the Tigers to the 2012 SIAC men's basketball tournament title and a berth to the NCAA Tournament. He led the conference in scoring and rebounding, and led the nation in double-doubles. He also was named to an HBCU All-America Team.
Mack was the SIAC Volleyball Most Offensive Player, after leading the conference in kills. She also was a member of the women's basketball and softball teams, proving to be one of Benedict's most versatile athletes.
The Lucius F. Clark award was presented to men's golfer Anthony Wik. The award is named after the former coach who resurrected the Benedict golf program and is given to any student-athlete who has shown outstanding character and has brought national exposure to the college and athletic program. The recipient also has provided leadership within their sport area, and has shown dedication to help other student-athletes grow.
Wik, a senior on the men's golf team, showed a willingness to help his teammates on both the men's and women's golf teams improve their golf game. He is considered a leader not only on the golf course, but on the Benedict campus as well.
The winner of the Jimmy Green Memorial Inspiration award is is Giovanny Molina.
The award is named in honor of one of Benedict's outstanding football alumni and is presented to a student-athlete who has been confronted with life-altering experiences and has utilized perseverance, dedication, and determination to overcome the event. This award is presented in recognition of Mr. Green's dedication and commitment to Benedict College.
Molina, a member of the cross country and track teams, was raised by his mother, and will become the first college graduate in his family. But his path to graduation was not easy. In 2009, he was involved in an automobile accident. Then, this spring he was in another car accident, where he nearly died. He also had two close family members pass away in the past six months, an uncle and a grandfather.
The department also recognized nine student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 GPA, as well as 85 student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
The Athletic Department Most Outstanding Employee Award went to cross country and track coach
Frank Hyland, and pool manager and intramurals assistant
Freddie Thomas. Hyland was named the NCAA South Region Indoor Track Coach of the Year.
The Most Outstanding Media Outlet Award went to Ric Garni of WACH Fox 57.
Other award winners
Football
Defensive MVP: Jamaa Massaline
Offensive MVP: Emmanuel Houston
Speicial Teams MVP: Andy Polanco
Best Offensive Lineman: Chris Cowart
Best Defensive Lineman: Jamaa Massaline
Best Offensive Back: Milton Myers
Best Defensive Back: DeQuan Starling
Unsung Hero: Martin Epps
Men's and Women's Golf
Men's Golf MVP: Anthony Wik
Most Improved: Eddie Smith III
Women's Golf Outstanding Senior: Jamie Bruce
Coach's Award: Jordan Buchanan
Baseball
Most Valuable Player: Michael Jordan
Best Offensive: David Weber
Rookie of the Year: Andre Collum
Pitcher of the Year: John Walton
Men's Tennis
Men's Most Valuable Player: Zibusiso Ndimande
The Sportsmanship/Coach's Award: Shane Latchman
Most Improved: Darreus Wheeler
Senior Award: Timothy Thorton.
Women's Tennis
Women's Most Valuable Player: Keneisha Whittington
Best Team Player: Glory Zhou
Sportsmanship/Coach's Award: Jessica Carswell
Most Improved: Darnel Howlett
Women's Basketball
Women's Basketball MVP: Bridget Williams
Best Defensive: Alexus Jones
Best Offensive: Santera Grooms
Best All-Around: Monique Weathers
Volleyball
Volleyball MVP: LaTayvia Mack
Rookie of the Year: Lorena Leao
Setter Award: Ashley Jackson
Best Defensive Player: Tyrealle Reed
Softball
Most Improved: Ruth Ann Simms
Rookie of the Year: Victoria Bratton
Utility Player of the Year: Melissa Weeks
Pitcher of the Year: LaKeeya Ramsey
Men's Cross Country
Running Tiger Award: Chavis Taylor
Rookie of the Year: Jean Charles
Coach's Award: Rashad Clarke
Men's Cross Country MVP: Dickson Toroitich
Women's Cross Country
Running Tiger Award: Whitney Martin
Rookie of the Year: Marcia Williams
Coach's Award: Candice Pratt
Women's Cross Country MVP: Kaneesha Knowles
Men's Track and Field
Running Tiger Award: Christopher Smith
Rookie of the Year: Marcus Randall
Coach's Award: Jamar Holmes
Men's Track and Field MVP: Brandon Johnson
Women's Track and Field
Running Tiger Award: Annalece Nembhard
Rookie of the Year: Marcia Williams
Coach's Award: Jallisa Clifford
Women's Track and Field MVP: Camille Clemmons-James
Men's Basketball
Most Improved Award: Mark Young
Newcomer of the Year: Rickie Jackson
Sixth Man of the Year Award: Antrjuan Albright
Men's Basketball Most Valuable Player: Marcus Goode
More photos on the Benedict College Facebook Page
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