COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College athletic department honored its student-athletes at its annual athletic awards luncheon on Tuesday afternoon.
 
A pair of standout athletes received the John E. Brown Award, Benedict's top student-athlete 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.
 
A pair of standout track and field athletes were this year's recipients – Zack Washington and Yassmine Chambers. Both win the award for the second year in a row.
 
Washington is a three-time HBCU National Champion, five-time SIAC champion, and an indoor and outdoor All-American in the long jump. He is undefeated in both indoor and outdoor regular season, and competes in the long jump, triple jump, high jump, javelin and runs relays. To date, he has broken his school record an impressive eight times.
 
Chambers is a two-time HBCU National Champion, two-time HBCU National runner-up, and four-time SIAC champion. She is the Benedict record-holder in two events. Yassmine competes in the weight throw, the hammer, shot put and discus. For the second consecutive year, Yassmine was named the SIAC Indoor Field MVP.
 
The Lucius F. Clark Champion of Character Award was presented to football defensive lineman Israel Nwokocha. 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.
 
Nwokocha was a defensive leader for the Tigers team that was one of the top defensive units in the nation and led the nation in scoring defense. He was third in the nation and first in the SIAC in tackles for loss, and ranked sixth in the SIAC in total tackles. He was first-team All-SIAC and a finalist for the HBCU Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-American by the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner's Association, as well as an honorable mention HBCU All-American.
 
The winner of the Jimmy Green Memorial Inspiration Award was men's basketball standout Caleb Hymon.. 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.
 
Hymon was a consistent hard worker and showed the resiliency it takes to compete at a high level. He is a 1,000-point career scorer and appeared in all 26 games for the Tigers while battling a knee injury. In addition, he is exceptional in the classroom.
 
The Dr. David H. Swinton Power For Good Award, presented to a student-athlete who demonstrates leadership, hard work and determination, community service, and academic achievement, was presented to men's volleyball player Cameron Long.
 
Long is a senior with a 4.0 GPA as a Business major. During his time at Benedict, he has been a leader on the court. In 2025, he was named second team All-SIAC. This year, he ranked second in the SIAC and fifth in the NCAA in digs per set. In the community, he coached the girls junior varsity and boys varsity volleyball teams at Ridge View High School. He also represents Benedict and the volleyball team at multiple community service events.
 
The department also recognized 24 student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA, as well as 170 student-athletes with GPAs between 3.0 and 3.99. GPAs are through the fall 2025 term.
 
The National Booster Club presented its special award to Benedict football coach Ron Dickerson Jr. for winning the school's first-ever NCAA playoff game. The Booster Club also presented the school with a donation of $10,000 to be used for scholarships.
 
The Benedict Booster Club Individual of the Year Award went to Mike Meyers.

Team Awards
Cheerleaders
Most Outstanding Team Award – Lameysia Wade
Best Tumbler Award – Zamari Howie
Outstanding Freshman Award – Jakayla Robinson
Well-Rounded Cheerleader Award – Dasheara Hanna
Dedicated Cheerleader Award – Aaliyah Harris-Ellison
Purple Cheer Squad Team Leader Award – Maliya Butler
Purple Cheer Squad Longevity Award – Hanniyah Ramey
Poms Squad Team Leader Award – Ayanah Edwards
Poms Squad Longevity Award – Kiara Love
 
Softball
Newcomer of the Year – Alexis Gatlin
Pitcher of the Year – Hope Gunn
Offensive Player of the Year – Cayla Crooks
Tiger of the Year – Myia Lambert

Men's Basketball
Iron Man Award – Caleb Hymon
Scholar Athlete of the Year – Malachi Chavis
Defensive Player of the Year – Kameron Foman
Offensive Player of the Year – Caleb Hymon
 
Women's Tennis
Most Improved – Carmene Kpadonou
Most Reliable – Tanatswa Musabaeka
Coaches Award – Valerie Essome
Most Valuable Player – Valerie Essome

Men's Tennis
Best Newcomer – Flex Howard
Most Improved Player – Ladarius Johnson
Coaches Award – Anesu Kwirirai
Most Valuable Player – Munashe Marume
 
Men's Volleyball
Most Improved – Roy Berry
Most Athletic – Hakan Godoy
Best All-Around – Camron Petillo
Most Valuable Player – Cameron Long
Women's Volleyball
Best Newcomer – Mia Burgess
Most Improved Player – La'Jai Wilson
Coaches Award – DeMyah Jackson
Coches Award – Willow Alls
Most Valuable Player – Desire' Young

Women's Cross Country
Most Improved Player – Destinee Tiller
Eye of the Tiger Award – Mercy Kwanbai
Most Valuable Player – Caren Kipkoech
 
Men's Cross Country
Eye of the Tiger Award – William Fennoy
Most Valuable Player – Quincy Harris

Women's Indoor Track & Field
Eye of the Tiger Award – Anaiya Houseal
Field Most Valuable Player – Yassmine Chambers
Track Most Valuable Player – Gabrielle Pinder

Men's Indoor Track & Field
Most Improved Player – Jacobie Sims
Eye of the Tiger Award – DuShaun Tucker
Field Most Valuable Player – Zackery Washington
Track Most Valuable Player – Terrel Alexander
Women's Outdoor Track & Field
Newcomer of the Year Award – Caren Kipkoech
Eye of the Tiger Award – Yassmine Chambers
Field Most Valuable Player – Anaiya Houseal
Track Most Valuable Player – Gabrielle Pinder
 
Men's Outdoor Track & Field
Newcomer of the Year Award – Bor Bravin
Most Improved Player – DuShaun Tucker
Most Improved Player – Stephen Judd
Eye of the Tiger Award – Jacobie Sims
Field Most Valuable Player – Zackery Washington
Track Most Valuable Player – Terrel Alexander
 
Baseball
Freshman of the Year – Adam Zendejas
Offensive Player of the Year – Joshua Medina
Pitcher of the Year – Lefrederick Wooten
Most Valuable Player – Kent Johnson
 
Women's Basketball
Foundation Award – Andrea Duncan
Standard Award – Alaysia Nash
Hustle and Effort Award – Gwendasia Page
Best All-Around – Aaliyah Lawrence
Versatility Award – Raven Johnson

Football
Tiger Award (Overall Scout Team Player of the Year) - Glenn Foreman III
Vision Award (Embodies the team and exceptional values) - Brent Clements
Offensive Player of the Year – David Smith
Defensive Player of the Year – Donte Craggette-Drake
Special Teams Player of the Year – Kolten Ford
Iron Tiger Award (Lifter of the Year) - Keith Harvey
Leroy T. Walker Award – Zane Spires
Impact Award (Outstanding Interior Offensive of Defensive Line) - Isaiah Turner
 
Athletic Training
Unparalleled Performance Award – Isabella Rivero
Above and Beyond Award – Tina Xie
 
4.0 GPA
Kent Johnson, Baseball
Gerson Vidal Cordero, Baseball
Adam Zendejas, Baseball
Malachi Chavis, Men's Basketball
Omarion Davis, Men's Basketball
Kelby Peterson, Men's Basketball
Kwesi Caldwell, Football
Braeden Covan, Football
Kolten Ford, Football
MarkQuelle Moser, Football
Jaxon Williams, Football
Anesu Kwirirai, Men's Tennis
Darian Clarke, Men's Track & Field
Anderson Dixon, Men's Track & Field
Ajani Davis, Men's Volleyball
Cameron Long, Men's Volleyball
Mallik Foreman, Men's Volleyball
Valerie Essome, Women's Tennis
Xaria Bascombe, Women's Track & Field
Mercy Kwambai, Women's Track & Field
Karma Moultrie, Women's Track & Field
Kiara Scott, Women's Track & Field
Daneika Williamson, Women's Track & Field
Willow Alls, Women's Volleyball
 
3.0 – 3.99 GPA
Baseball
Jonathan Olmedo 
Elijah Horn 
Garvey Chiarolanzio 
Curtis Lindsey 
Elijah Banks 
Kenyan Conner Jr. 
Colin Jones 
Michael Belcher 
Loren Solomon 
Anthony Ramos 
 
Men's Basketball 
Robert Spann 
Cristian Willis 
Maurion Gordon 
Merdi Asumani 
Landon Jeffries 
Cole White 
Donte Whymns 
Anthony Magwood-Spann 
Kendale Brown 
Marcus Upshaw 
 
Football 
Tyriek Crutchfield 
Damon Edwards 
Arvin Hilton 
Carlos Jones 
Malcolm Meristil 
Jason Miller 
Triston Morgan 
Jordan Murphy 
JaHaven Phillips 
Charles Simmons 
David Smith 
John Stephens 
Marquez Taylor 
Emmanuel Betrand 
Kyan Kennedy 
Logan Karwacki 
Jerrard Smith 
Moses Echols 
Victor Tabb 
Markell Davis 
A'chean Durant 
DaShawn Mingo 
Nicholas Williams 
Reece Dobard 
Malachi Hancock 
Noah Johnson 
Josef Manley 
Israel Nwokocha 
LeFabian Williams 
Jalil Burrus-James 
Taylan Morrow 
Jalen Rogers 
Jackson Jensen 
Tymetrius Patterson 
Tywun Gordon 
Joshua Stephens 
Nasan Houston 
Troy Hillman 
Caleb Pearson 
Ali Abdul-Hakeem 
Tyler Lamar 
Isaiah Turner 
Tristian Jenkins 
Ryan Perry 
Kacey Bolton 
Sterling Goodwin 
Malik Mullins 
Alex Thelusma 
Desmond Thompson 
Malaqhi Jones 
Keith Harvey 
Andre Jocelyn 
Joshua Modupe 
Cayden McIntosh 
Jordan West 
Thomas Hardin 
Mikeal Grissom 
Quincy Haywood II 
Nyziah Alston-Daniels 
Travone Finney 
Isaiah Isidore 
 
Men's Tennis 
Munashe Marume 
Patrick Gregory 
 
Men's Track & Field 
Jeremiah Hall-Jones 
Jacobie Sims 
Kenyon Ryner 
Daniel Moore 
Stephen Judd 
Yahoshua Swinson 
Jayden Slaughter 
Terrel Alexander 
William Fennoy 
Zackery Washington 
Byron Bell 
Quincy Harris 
Morris Walker 
DuShaun Tucker 
Tydarrius White 
Josiah Lacey 
Shayne Albert 
Patrick Gregory 
Anwar Salaam-Bey 
Zhari Swayzer 
 
Men's Volleyball 
Camron Petillo 
Joshua Crowley 
Matthew Dimapan 
Hakan Godoy 
 
Women's Basketball 
Ghylissa Knowles 
Derricka Millinghaus 
Miracle Millinghaus 
Serenity Woods 
Aaliyah Lawrence 
Juliana Wilcox 
Jonnae Bennett 
Jaleya Ford 
Tatyana Fields 
Milaysha Chisholm 
Gwendasia Page 
Raven Johnson 
Alaysia Nash 
Ahminah Taylor 
Jalazia Ham 
Joice Koko 
Dasia Harden 
Jordan Tanksley 
 
Softball 
Elisha Ramirez 
Kayla Hunt 
Taylor Chambliss 
Taylor Gilbert 
Hillary Haynes 
Hope Gunn 
Shamaria Dupree 
Teonia Johnson 
Myia Lambert 
Ariah Smith 
Jasmine Cadore 
Alaina Harvey 
Janai Webster 
 
Women's Tennis 
Carmene Kpadonou 
Tanatswa Musabaeka 
Jordan Tanksley 
 
Women's Track & Field 
Jamaishia Roberts 
Joslynn Moultrie 
BreAshia Lester 
Gabrielle Pinder 
Yassmine Chambers 
Amera Forrest 
Torriann Noad 
Caren Kipkoech 
Zuri-Zanovia Harden 
 
Women's Volleyball 
Nyla Troncoso 
Angelic Carter 
Aiyo Price 
Akili Jones 
Kylie Jackson 
Kennedi Hill 
Desire' Young 
DeMyah Jackson 
Dove Jackson 
La'Jai Wilson 
Jadyn Murry 
 
Cheer and Poms 
Dasheara Hanna 
Imani Kelly 
Amya Hout 
Taylor Smith 
Ayanah Edwards 
Tatianna Anderson 
Liara Lowe 
Tylaishia Hunter 
Frederick River