ASC Announces Sportsmanship Award Winners

2014-15_FJ_SA_Cummings_Weaver_Minick_Andrews

Ozarks senior Andrew Cummings (left), junior Matt Weaver, UMHB senior Isaiah Minick and Ozarks senior Jordana Andrews were named the 2014-15 ASC Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Athltes of the Year.

6/2/2015 12:56:46 PM

All-Time Winners

RICHARDSON, Texas –Four student-athletes from two member institutions have been named winners of the 2014-15 American Southwest Conference Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Award, the ASC office announced Tuesday (June 3) after a vote of the league’s athletic directors.

Three men student-athletes were named tri-winners as Ozarks senior Andrew Cummings, junior Matt Weaver and Mary Hardin-Baylor senior Isaiah Minick received honors. Ozarks senior Jordana Andrews received the women’s award.

Cummings and Weaver are the first men’s duo from the same school in the history of the Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Award to receive the honor in the same year.

Cummings (Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield HS), the ASC Men’s Cross Country Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year, is the type of student-athlete who leads by example. He shows others through his work ethic and positive attitude what can be accomplished. During his collegiate career, Cummings has lettered in basketball, cross country and track and field, all while representing his campus in a number of leadership positions. He serves the student body as the President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC). Away from athletics, Cummings has rendered service with the Special Olympics, church ministry camps and completed a mission trip overseas during his collegiate career.

"Andrew was an outstanding leader for our cross country program,” said Ozarks head coach Jeremy Provence. “He was very involved around campus, taking on leadership roles for several organizations. Constantly making sacrifices, he invested much of his time helping others and his attitude of selflessness was contagious for those who knew Andrew."

Weaver (Huntsville, Ark./Huntsville HS) was one of four student-athletes in men’s soccer named the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year. Weaver displayed a selfless attitude throughout the season as he chose to take on a substitute role instead of a starting position knowing what was best for the team. His sacrifice helped lead Ozarks to its most wins in five seasons and an appearance in the ASC Tournament. Throughout the season, he demonstrated a positive demeanor and strong work ethic, which was recognized by his peers as he was voted the winner of the team’s hustle award. Weaver was a key player in the Eagles run prior to and during the ASC Tournament, scoring four goals, including two game-winners during the season.

“This is such a great honor for Matt," said Ozarks head coach Matt Torok. "It exemplifies what he's all about. He will do whatever is needed to make the team better. He's a tireless and relentless worker on the field and provides energy and a spark in every situation. Matt gives effort, displays sportsmanship and has a selfless attitude."

Minick (Chaing Mai, Thailand/Grace International) is the first Mary Hardin-Baylor Sportsmanship Athlete award recipient since Kyle Shipp (2005-06) and the third overall. One of four players named the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in men’s soccer, Minick was a four-year starter at defender for the Cru men’s soccer team. A CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII selection and three-time ASC All-Academic pick, Minick earned all conference honors twice in his career. The University Ambassador at UMHB and a three-year team captain, Minick was always a gracious and respectful competitor to opponents, officials and fans on the field. He participated in numerous campus and athletic department service projects and is a two-time member of the ASC Men’s Soccer Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team.

“Isaiah exemplifies everything we want our program to be about, said UMHB head coach Brad Bankhead. “He exemplifies character off the field, academic success and sportsmanship on the field. Isaiah is heavily involved on our campus and in our community and is a wonderful ambassador for our program and our university. We are excited for him to be recognized with this honor.”

Andrews (Center Ridge, Ark./Nemo Vista HS) is the first Ozarks women’s recipient since Julie Richardson (2002-03) and the second in the school’s history. Andrews displayed a team-first attitude and leadership always giving credit to her opponents and teammates. She successfully overcame a season-ending knee injury early in her career to become a team captain. Andrews has been accepted into the University of Central Arkansas Physical Therapy Doctoral Program. She has volunteered at Needy Paws, at a physical therapy clinic in Clinton, Ark. and at local Special Olympics softball and basketball tournaments. During her collegiate career Andrews was involved with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the Health Science Club, the Student Foundation Board, Catholic Campus Ministries and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). With the Health Science Club, she organized a successful campus health fair during the 2015 spring semester. Her conference awards include ASC Player of the Week, ASC All-Academic Team, ASC Medal of Honor and the ASC Distinguished Scholar Athlete.

“Jordan's impact on her teammates, the student body, The University of the Ozarks and especially on me has been incredible,” said head coach Carl Ramsey. “In my 37 years of coaching, I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor. Her leadership on the floor, in the classroom and throughout the university was outstanding. She was involved in many clubs, volunteered with several organizations and worked as a tutor. Despite a busy schedule, she graduated as one of our top students on campus. Jordana epitomizes the ideal NCAA Division III athlete.”

The ASC Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Award honors a male and female student-athlete who best displays the attributes of sportsmanship, leadership, citizenship and academic integrity in their athletic, academic and life pursuits. To become a nominee on the conference-wide ballot, a student-athlete must win the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year award in their respective sport. This is the 15th year the ASC has presented its Sportsmanship Award and ninth time the award is being presented after being renamed in honor of the Conference's first commissioner, Fred Jacoby.

All-Time Sportsmanship Winners

Year	Men	Women
2014-15	(tri) Andrew Cummings, Ozarks	Jordana Andrews, Ozarks
	(tri) Matt Weaver, Ozarks
	(tri) Isaiah Minick, Mary Hardin-Baylor
2013-14	Zakk Revelle, Sul Ross State	Samantha Guerrero, Howard Payne
2012-13	Marcus Bobb, Ozarks	Jennifer Cooper, Mississippi College
2011-12	Collin Janssen, Concordia Texas	Hannah Langley, Mississippi College
2010-11	Ryan Yezak, East Texas Baptist	Whitney Wyly, Texas-Tyler
2009-10	(co) David Ashlock, Texas-Tyler	Kristen Chapman, LeTourneau
	(co) Sam Walker, Hardin-Simmons
2008-09	Ty Palmer, Texas Lutheran	Krissy Seaman, Texas Dallas
2007-08	Tyler Winford, Mississippi College	Lindsey Peters, Texas-Tyler
2006-07	Ryan Potter, LeTourneau	Michelle Heckmann, Concordia Texas
2005-06	Kyle Shipp, Mary Hardin-Baylor	Bethany Harris, Mississippi College
2004-05	Drew McMaster, Howard Payne	Katie DeDeaux, Mississippi College
2003-04	Cody Brotherton, McMurry	Lyndsay Llewellyn, McMurry
2002-03	Preston Meyer, Mary Hardin-Baylor	Julie Richardson, Ozarks
2001-02	Phil Kaiser, Ozarks	Lindsey Brotherton, Schreiner
2000-01	Michael Kawazoe, Austin College	Sarah Birge, Austin College
1999-00	Joe Fox, Austin College	Courtney Shires, Mississippi College

2014-15 ASC Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year Bios
Biographical information provided by each student-athletes' sports information director or head coach

Men's Sportsmanship Nominees
Bishop Bass, Ozarks (Tennis), Sr., Management / Administration
Bishop Bass was named the ASC East Division Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in men’s tennis. Bass not only made an impact with his competitive spirit on the court, but also in the way he displayed sportsmanship. He was always the first to congratulate an opponent and the first to uplift a teammate. Bass ends his career as the winningest singles and doubles player in Ozarks’ history. He helped the program to a 43-19 record over the last four seasons. A two-time winner of the Ozarks’ Male Athlete of the Year award, Bass was a four-time All-Conference performer, ASC Tri-Freshman of the Year, ITA Scholar Athlete and ASC All-Academic Team member.

Connor Bertsch, Concordia Texas (Baseball), Jr., Kinesiology
Connor Bertsch received dual honors as the ASC Baseball Player of the Year and Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year. A two-time all-conference selection, Bertsch led the ASC in batting average (.443), RBI (31), slugging percentage (.784), on-base percentage (.549) and walks (25). Starting all 29 conference games for the Tornados at first base, Bertsch recorded a team-high 275 put outs and only one error all season. He also tied for second in home runs (6), third in total bases (69), fourth in doubles (10) and was eighth in hits (39) and 10th in runs scored (22). Bertsch received numerous regional and national awards from D3baseball.com as a First-Team All-American and the West Region Player of the Year. He was also named to the ABCA First-Team All-West Region.

Derek Footer, Hardin-Simmons (Track and Field), Sr., Exercise Science
Derek Footer received honors as the Co-ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in men’s track and field. Footer is a six-time ASC champion including the hurdle-double in each of the last three conference championship meets. He also is a two-time NCAA qualifier in the 110 meter hurdles. Footer has been an HSU team captain for two years, is a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is involved in the community, and will graduate in the fall.

Rajeem Garnett, Concordia Texas (Track and Field), Sr., Kinesiology
Rajeem Garnett was named the Co-ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in men’s track and field. He placed second in the 800 meter run (1:58.69) at the ASC Track and Field Championships. Garnett goes out of his way to give encouraging words to not only his team, but others. He is very respectful and loves the sport.

Buddy Hallman, Texas-Tyler (Golf), Jr., Accounting
Buddy Hallman finished the season with a 73.65 scoring average. Hallman, the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in men’s golf, played in nine tournaments and finished 13th at the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf National Championships.

Mark Kinyanjui, Concordia Texas (Soccer), Jr., Business
Mark Kinyanjui was one of four student-athletes in men’s soccer named the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year. Kinyanjui played in 17 games for the Tornados and scored two goals, including one game-winner.

Sam Potter, Hardin-Simmons (Soccer), Sr., Economics
Sam Potter was one of four student-athletes in men’s soccer named the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year. Potter showed great sportsmanship and leadership when he lost a battle for the starting goalkeeper job and continued to be a positive influence on his teammates. He played in five games and started three with a 0.79 goals against average.

Zakk Revelle, Sul Ross State (Basketball), Sr., Communication
Zakk Revelle received his third consecutive ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year award in men’s basketball. One of two Lobos to start every game this season, Revelle led the team in both assists (86) and steals and tied for seventh in the ASC in steals. In three seasons at SRSU, Revelle started all but two games.

Jordan Wilson, Hardin-Simmons (Tennis – West Division), Sr., Biology
Jordan Wilson was named the ASC West Division Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in men’s tennis. Wilson assumed a leadership role after HSU suffered the loss of two of its top players and led the Cowboys to the ASC Tournament as one of just two seniors on the team. His maturity and experience kept the team together.

Women's Sportsmanship Nominees
Frances Adams, Ozarks (Soccer), So., Environmental Studies/English
Frances Adams was named the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in women’s soccer. Adams was a positive influence on her teammates displaying enthusiasm and energy throughout the season. She was always willing to help or share a positive word with a teammate or opponent on the field. Adams is also active in the campus community and serves in numerous leadership capacities. She is a member of the ASC All-Academic Team.

Alexa Gallardo, Sul Ross State (Tennis – West Division), Fr., Animal Science
Alexa Gallardo was named the ASC West Division Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in women’s tennis. Gallardo went 9-4 at number one singles and 8-7 at number one doubles in dual matches this season. She was 3-1 in both singles and doubles against ASC opponents.

Paige Goen, Hardin-Simmons (Track and Field), Jr., Exercise Science
Paige Goen was named the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete in women’s track and field. She scored points in the hurdles, high jump, pole vault, and both relays at the ASC Championship. Goen will do anything for the team. She volunteers to do any event, even the steeplechase if it would help the team win. She works a job, never misses practice, unselfishly promotes her teammates, is a team captain, and does community service projects with Global Samaritan. Goen will graduate a semester early in December 2015 but has chosen to do graduate school next spring so she can take advantage of her last semester of eligibility.

Hannah Hornsby, Hardin-Simmons (Volleyball), Sr., Marketing
Hannah Hornsby was a four-year starter and key contributor for the Cowgirls. She finished the regular season ranked in the top 10 in three league categories in conference play. The ASC Co-Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in volleyball and a two-time all-conference selection, Hornsby ranked second in kills (198), ninth in blocks (49) and 10th in hitting percentage (.284). She was named to the ASC All-Tournament team for the third time and was a First-Team All-ASC selection in 2014.

Maile Hoyt, Sul Ross State (Softball), Sr., Kinesiology / Sports Science
Maile Hoyt was named the ASC Co-Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in softball. She hit .143 while starting 20-of-23 games. Hoyt recorded one double, one RBI and scored two runs. A four-year starter at first base, Hoyt served as a team captain. She was named the Sul Ross State Woman of the Year, an honor given to an outstanding graduating student.

Megan Merrill, East Texas Baptist (Cross Country), Jr., Biology
Megan Merrill, the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in women’s track and field, was a top 20 runner at the ASC Championships with a 20th-place finish. She also competed in the NCAA Regional Meet in Georgia finishing 190th.

Kayla Ronda, LeTourneau (Volleyball), Jr., Marketing
Kayla Ronda was named the ASC Co-Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in volleyball. Named third team All-ASC, Ronda was the only LeTourneau player to compete in all 103 sets last season. She led LETU in service aces (39) and shared the team lead in kills (238). Third on the team in digs (163), Ronda was also fifth in blocks (37) and had two double-doubles. She hit a season-high .481 against Lewis & Clark (Aug. 28) to go along with a season-high 15 kills. She later recorded 15 kills against Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (Aug. 30). On three occasions, Ronda put in double-digit digs including a season-high 11 in two separate matches. Ronda and the LeTourneau volleyball team volunteered at Emeritus Estates – an assisted living home and helped host the Longview Boys and Girls Club Christmas Party.

Alejandra Serrate, Texas Dallas (Golf), Sr., Global Business
Alejandra Serrate was named the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in women’s golf. Serrate played in all nine tournaments for the Comets. She recorded four top-20 finishes and was UTD’s top golfer once. Serrate held a scoring average of 91.71and placed 21st at the 2015 ASC Championship.

Janae Warren, Texas-Tyler (Tennis – East Division), Jr., Kinesiology
Janae Warren was named the ASC East Division Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in women’s tennis. Warren helped lead the Patriots to the 2015 ASC Championship defeating Hardin-Simmons in the title match. She was named to the ASC All-Conference team at #6 singles and went 12-5 in singles play and 8-2 in doubles with teammate Tori Musngi.

Maranda Westbrook, East Texas Baptist (Softball), Sr., Kinesiology
Maranda Westbrook was named the ASC Co-Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in softball. An All-ASC second team selection at third base, Westbrook helped lead ETBU to the NCAA Division III Championship Regional in Tyler, Texas. She finished the season ranked fifth in the ASC in stolen bases (15), and had 29 hits, 11 RBI and a .941 fielding percentage.

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