LYNCHBURG, Va.- Last week, the Randolph Athletics Department released its 2020 awards in five parts. Six awards were given out for the Department while four major awards were bestowed.
The Female Athlete of the Year was Sara Bane from the women's soccer and basketball teams. Bane scored 15 goals that tied for the third-most in a season this past fall and tied for second in the ODAC. Against Averett, she scored a program record five goals. She ranked seventh in the NCAA in shots per game. Bane was named to the ODAC Second Team and Virginia SID All-State Second Team.
The Male Athlete of the Year was Frankie DiOrio from the men's soccer team. DiOrio started every game for the WildCats this past season and all 73 games in his four-year career. He was part of a back line that shut out opponents six times in 2019. A two-year captain, he was named to the ODAC First Team and the United Soccer Coaches All-South Atlantic Third Team.
Jacqueline Clardy-Josephs was named the Female Rookie of the Year. Clardy-Josephs was the top finisher in every competition she participated in both cross country and track. She set school records in the 5k and 6k in cross country and the 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, and distance medley relay in track. She was the first in program history to receive All-Conference honors in cross-country and was also the 40th overall individual in the South-Southeast Region.
The Male Rookie of the Year was Nicolas Alvarado from the men's tennis team. Alvarado was 6-6 overall this spring and won his last three matches before the season was cut short. He had wins over regional opponents from Johns Hopkins, St, Mary's (MD), Stevenson, Roanoke, and York (Pa.). In his lone ODAC match of the year, he had a strong performance against W&L's #1 player.
The Scholar-Athlete Award was given to Nicole Taulton from the women's soccer team. Taulton, a Sports and Exercise Studies major, had the highest GPA of all graduating senior athletes.
Kalyn Banks from the women's basketball team was awarded the Emily Ryals Sportsmanship while Ashley Schmitz won the Reynolds Cup for sportsmanship in women's tennis. The final student award, the Deacon Award, was given to Gabriella Greco for her service and commitment to the athletic department as a student worker in Sports Information.
Jill Waugh, Randolph College's photographer, was named the Spectator of the Year along with her family. Director of Sports and Exercise Studies and Chair of the Physical Education Department Carolyn Sarson earned the Cushman Cup for her dedication to the student-athletes and athletic programs.
Fall Sports
Men's Cross-Country
Most Improved – DeAndre Jackson
MVP- Alex Dye
Impact- Kenny Kinton
Women's Cross-Country
Most Improved - Ermela Wurgesa
MVP- Jacqueline Clardy-Josephs
Impact - Liz Bearisto
Women's Soccer
Most Improved - Deaven Milam
Coaches Award - Ashley Napolitano
WildCat Award - Marisa Santacroce
Men's Soccer
Defensive MVP- Frankie DiOrio
Offensive Player of the Year - Gabe Krueger
Coaches Award - Jamie Ford-Lane
Player's MVP- Frankie DiOrio
Volleyball
Defense - Sam Verhaagen
Offense - Taylor Webb
Sportsmanship - Lauren Morgan
Coaches Award - Mackenzie Ambrose
Winter Sports
Women's Basketball
Newcomer of the Year - Cameron O'Neil
Heart Award - Kalyn Banks
Defensive Player of the Year - Amber Garrett
Most Valuable Player - Yanessa Cabrera
Men's Basketball
Winning Plays Champion - Evan Makle
Defensive Player of the Year - Justin Dula
Most Improved Player - Avery Payne
Team Together Award - Brian Smith
Women's Swimming
Most Improved – Brooke Conneen
MVP – Brice Creel
Men's Swimming
Most Improved – Josh Roberts
MVP – Jeff Oliveri
Men's Track and Field
Most Improved – Zach Williby
MVP – Mitchell Doss
Impact – Jared Ruddock
Women's Track and Field
Most Improved – Keyanna Barrington
MVP – Meghan Chaffins
Impact – Jordan Sheets
Spring Sports
Women's Lacrosse
Defensive MVP – Chrissy Shackleford
Offensive MVP – Sarah Perry
Coaches Award – Shannon McQuaid
Men's Lacrosse
MVP – Corey Boswell, Eric Gulbronson, Collin Hooper
Aaron Shacklett Team Spirit Award – 2020 Men's Lacrosse Team
Softball
Offensive Player of the Year – Jhenai Sewer
Defensive Player of the Year – Delaney Nuckols
Most Valuable Player – Danielle Shannon
WildCat Award – Blair Epperson
Women's Tennis
Most Improved – Sam Verhaagen
Team Warrior – Sam Verhaagen
Most Valuable Player – Keyu Jin
Men's Tennis
Most Improved – John Coffron
Team Warrior – Nicolas Alvarado
Most Valuable Player – Nicolas Alvarado
