CU Sports
Kenton Means, Sports Information Director
LAWTON – The Cameron University Athletics department held their annual end of the year awards celebration on Thursday night, but put a new twist on the night, which included an “ESPY” style ceremony and a red carpet entrance.
The night started with each team getting to walk down the red carpet placed in the lobby of the Cameron University Theatre. There were paparazzi, interviews, and lots of chances for the student athletes to snap a picture with their teammates.
When the program started, former Aggie student-athletes Makenzie Burk and Cody Bower served as the masters of ceremony. They helped the evening progress, announced the award presenters, and even threw out some verbal jabs at their former teammates and coaches.
In addition to their five usual awards (Coach of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Freshman of the Year), Cameron gave out a handful of new awards, such as the LOL Moment of the Year, the Back the Axe Award, the Bad Axe Award, Best Single Game Performance, Play of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was awarded to long time men’s golf coach Jerry Hrnciar for his 43 years of service to Cameron University.
Another special moment was when a member of the 1987 NAIA National Champion Cameron Aggie football team, Jake Brownlow, presented “CU” Eddie Larson with a National Championship ring.
Here is a list of the award winners and special recognitions:
Award | Winner | Sport |
Coach of the Year | Jerry Hrnciar | Men’s Golf |
Male Athlete of the Year | Przemyslaw Zielinski | Men’s Tennis |
Female Athlete of the Year | Brenna Busby | Softball |
Newcomer of the Year | Brook Conley | Volleyball |
Freshman of the Year | Jazmin Luster | Women’s Basketball and Volleyball |
Lifte Achievement Award | Jerry Hrnciar | Men’s Golf |
Bad Axe Award | Rebeka Velasova | Women’s Tennis |
Back the Axe Award (Team) | Women’s Basketball | |
Best Single Game Performance | Alyssa Osterdock | Softball |
Iron Pick Axe (Team) | Softball | |
Most Romantic Moment | Cole Williams and Annie Combs | Baseball and Softball |
LOL Moment of the Year | Brook Conley | Volleyball |
Most Patriotic Moment | Preston Brethour | Men’s Basketball |
Additional Recognition
Cameron Athletics All-Academic Team:
Gaige Vines, Tyus Momoh, Ava Battese, Jamie Bonnarens, Parfitt McNair, Marvin Dierker, Dario Gabriel, Niels Sorensen, Devin Tovey, Allison Duffin, Bayleigh Johnson, Kyndall Morgan, Brenna Busby, Annie Combs, Kaylyn Smith, Abbey Warren, Meagan Taylor, Shaelyn Smith, Paige Dixon
“Time to Go” Award (4-year seniors): Cole Williams, Weston Ward, Mateo Velasco
Two Year Graduate Assistants: Amanda Watkins, Cameron McConnell, Garrett White, Preston Brethour, Krista Pylant
2017-18 Seniors: Reid Garrett, Skyler Henderson, Micah Kaaukai, Cole Williams, JV Long, Briana Underwood, Marvin Dierker, Daniel Nielsen, Quinton Tews, Devin Tovey, Weston Ward, Annie Combs, Lauren Mason, Tori Smith, Mateo Velasco, Mathilde Thibaudat, Brook Conley, Lari Robertson