RADFORD, Va. - The 2019-20 RUBY'S: Virtual Edition was held on Monday throughout social media outlets. The annual event honors Radford's student-athletes for their achievements in the classroom, in competition and in the community.
"Welcome to the 2020 online edition of our annual Ruby Awards within the athletics department. While we are all disappointed that we can't gather together as we usually do inside the Dedmon Center, there are still so many wonderful accomplishments that all the student-athletes have achieved here in 2019-20 season that we are all very proud of. As always, this day is about honoring our student-athletes for their achievements in competition, in the classroom and within our community. So, without further ado, here is the 2020 online edition of our annual Ruby Awards." - Rick Watson.
The 2019-20 season was full of success for the Highlanders despite being cut short during the spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The women's soccer team captured it's second straight conference tournament championship which led them to their second straight appearance in the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament. The men's basketball program won a share of the regular season title for the second straight year while women's basketball clinched a two seed and was set to host their side of the bracket in the Big South Championships. Baseball, softball, men's tennis and women's tennis all had winning records heading into the second halves of their seasons as well.
Jacob Wilkinson (men's soccer) was named this year's Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Wilkinson carries a perfect 4.0 GPA as a double major in accounting and finance. The Frederick, Md., native is the treasurer and three-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a peer tutor in the learning enhancement center. In addition, he interned in the business office of the athletics department during the fall semester. He is an active member of the business honors society, Beta Gamma Sigma, IMA-the institute of managerial accounts and works closely with SMIPO. In the Fall, our award winner earned Academic All-America honors as well.
Hunter Mundy (softball) was named this year's Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Mundy is a scholar in the classroom and a gamer on the field. The Creedmoor, N.C. native carries a 3.93 GPA, majoring in Political Science with a double minor in Criminal Justice and International studies. She was recently honored as Radford University's Political Science Department Dean's Scholar. Only one senior is chosen per department as an exemplary representative of their accomplishments. In addition, our award winner is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and serves as a tutor in the athletic departments Learning Enhancement Center.
Demi Taramonlis (men's tennis) was named this year's Male Newcomer of the Year, who made himself known by winning 26 matches as a freshman. Jayde Dudley (women's golf) was named this year's Female Newcomer of the Year and was a force to be reckoned with, winning the Big South Conference's Freshman of the Week five times during the season. Other nominees for this award were Anthony Galati (baseball), Devine Eke (men's basketball), Aiden Rainford (women's basketball), Brianna Oliver (women's soccer), Joseba Incera (men's soccer), Julia Burkley (women's track & field), Rachel Millirons (women's cross country), Zach Worthman (men's cross country), Bella Signorello (women's lacrosse), Patrick Gareiss (men's golf), Jayde Dudley (women's golf), Riley Oakes (softball), Demi Taramonlis (men's tennis), Camryn McClure (women's tennis) and Mackenzie Meehan (volleyball).
This was the second year where Radford honored an athlete with the Jen Norton Courage Award which is given to an individual who has possessed strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of trial and the willingness to display positivity following a hardship. This year the award was presented to Sandra Brackett from the women's soccer team.
"Because of her championship composure, relentless effort and determined mindset, those that surround Brackett are never fully aware of the physical struggles and personal hardships she has gone through the past couple of years while at Radford," said Norton. "She continues to defy science every single day while struggling with a physical condition that to most people, would severely limit their ability to play sports. Not for a second has Brackett ever allowed this to stop her from being the best version of herself every day. Her positive attitude, high energy, and determined outlook on life is infectious to those around her and is evident every single day of training. She leads her teammates and sets the example of what a dedicated and courageous student-athlete and person should be and how they should live their life no matter what is thrown at them. She never complains and is always looking for ways to better herself and to successfully overcome her physical "setback". She is one of the most dedicated, caring, and inspiring athletes I have ever been fortunate enough to work with. There is nobody more deserving of this award than Brackett."
The women's soccer program captured the RUBY Cup this year. Team support is vital to the success of any athletics program. Radford Student-Athletes consistently support each other's programs by displaying spirit during competition and are very giving of their time and service to the community. The RUBY CUP recognizes the team that achieved over a 3.0 GPA, displays team spirit at competitions, and is active in the community throughout the year
The Senior Leadership Award recognizes a senior student-athlete who has excelled in academics and athletics, and has made significant contributions to the community by demonstrating leadership and a commitment to service. This award recognizes an individual who promotes the university and athletics departments' missions, goals, and values through their actions; demonstrates exceptional leadership ability; and fosters a positive and motivating environment for their team. Women's lacrosse and SAAC President, Jenny Davis as well as Jacob Wilkinson from men's soccer, are the two honorees for this award.
Other awards given out were strength and conditioning, Teammate of the Year, in addition to strength and conditioning All-Americans. Straton Podaras (baseball) and Courtney Kaplan (women's soccer) received the strength and conditioning honors. Teammate of the Year was given out to one member of each team like Straton Podaras (baseball), Donald Hicks (men's basketball), Jen Falconer (women's basketball, Lily McLane (women's soccer), Pape Oumar Gueye (men's soccer), Kiara Price (track & field / cross country), Callum Willson (men's cross country), Rachel Rogers (women's lacrosse), Hunter Duncan (men's golf), Riko Nagai (women's golf), Abby Wilson (softball), Dinos Raptis (men's tennis), Malin Falk (women's tennis), and Stephanie Neast (volleyball). The strength and conditioning All-Americans were Liam Deacy (men's soccer), Travis Fields Jr. (men's basketball), Khiana Johnson (women's basketball), Stephanie Neast (volleyball), and Sofia Tapia (softball).
This year the Team MVP was chosen between three nominees and voted on by fans at home through polls on both Facebook and Twitter. The vote totals from both platforms were combined and the student-athlete with the highest percentage of votes was chosen as the team's MVP. Peter Gasperini (men's golf) took home the highest percentage of votes across all sports with 72.50% of the vote. Carlik Jones (men's basketball) wasn't far behind with claiming 71.14% of the vote. Colby Higgerson was baseball's MVP while Jessie Marvin took home softball's MVP award. Khiana Johnson won a close vote for women's basketball while Callum Wilson won the men's cross country MVP award by a close six votes. La'Tisha Chambers dominated the women's track and field and cross country MVP award which had the second-most participation across all polls. Jayde Dudley took home the women's golf MVP award to add to her collection on the day while Demi Taramonlis did the same for men's tennis. Victor Valls won the men's soccer MVP and Nelia Perez took the women's soccer MVP. Rounding out the day of awards was Grace Gleason winning women's lacrosse MVP and Anastasia Belyaeva winning the women's tennis MVP.
COMPLETE LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
RUBY Cup - Women's Soccer
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Jacob Wilkinson (Men's Soccer)
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Hunter Mundy (Softball)
Jen Norton Courage Award - Sandra Brackett (Women's Soccer)
Male Newcomer of the Year - Demi Taramonlis (Men's Tennis)
Female Newcomer of the Year - Jayde Dudley (Women's Golf)
Male Senior Leadership Award - Jacob Wilkinson (Men's Soccer)
Female Senior Leadership Award - Jenny Davis (Women's Lacrosse)
Teammate of the Year - Abby Wilson (softball), Pape Oumar Gueye (men's soccer), Donald Hicks (men's basketball), Straton Podaras (baseball), Malin Falk (women's tennis), Jen Falconer (women's basketball), Callum Wilson (men's cross country), Hunter Duncan (men's golf), Rachel Rogers (women's lacrosse), Riko Nagai (women's golf), Lily McLane (women's soccer), Kaitlyn Fox (cheer), Konstantinos Raptis (men's tennis), Stephanie Neast (volleyball), Cerra Ebbecke (dance) and Kiara Price (women's track & field / cross country).
Baseball MVP - Colby Higgerson (64.66%), JD Mundy (18.37%), Bruce Hudson (16.96%)
Softball MVP - Jessie Marvin (36.04%), Hunter Mundy (33.11%), Sydney Fisher (30.86%)
Men's Basketball MVP - Carlik Jones (71.14%), Travis Fields Jr. (21.70%), Donald Hicks (7.16%)
Women's Basketball MVP - Khiana Johnson (41.45%), Sydney Nunley (35.04%), Amele Ngwafang (23.50%)
Men's Cross Country MVP - Callum Wilson (44.65%), Joe Limo (42.44%), Bus Baker (12.92%)
Volleyball MVP - Jordan Coomes (56.98%), Stephanie Neast (29.73%), Grace Green (13.29%)
Women's Cross Country and Track and Field MVP - La'Tisha Chambers (49.89%), Chancey Gunnell (37.74%), Emilie Miller (12.36%)
Men's Golf MVP - Peter Gasperini (72.50%), Hunter Duncan (16.50%), Tyler Hull (11.00%)
Women's Golf MVP - Jayde Dudley (60.34%), Sidney Walker (39.66%)
Women's Lacrosse MVP - Grace Gleason (44.77%), Katie Bendrick (42.83%), Maddie Bowman (12.40%)
Men's Soccer MVP - Victor Valls (46.04%), Octavio Ocampo (34.48%) Mouhameth Thiam (19.49%)
Women's Soccer MVP - Nelia Perez (60.45%), Kayla Thomas (20.65%), Gabi Paupst (18.91%)
Men's Tennis MVP - Demi Taramonlis (45.11%), Andres Silva (39.85%), Yevhen Sirous(15.04%)
Women's Tennis MVP - Anastasia Belyaeva (53.03%), Drousile Dzeubou (26.89%), Malin Falk (20.08%)
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