UNCP Holds Annual Athletic Awards Ceremony

PEMBROKE, N.C. – Tennis’ Natalie Dies took home best all-around student athlete accolades, while Jelena Shaw earned the award for freshman of the year, as the UNCP athletic department held its annual athletic awards banquet Tuesday evening in the Givens Performing Arts Center.

All but the Braves football team, who did not compete during the 2006-07 academic year, presented two awards on the night, most of which handed out offensive and defensive MVP laurels. Junior Ivy Ramsey, who was a standout on both the women’s cross country and basketball teams, took home a pair of awards, including basketball defensive most valuable player and cross country’s co-most valuable runner laurels.

The awards honored student-athletes from all 16 UNCP varsity sports, as well as the cheerleading and dance teams. Head athletic trainer Matt Lundin also presented two awards from the athletic training room for the comeback athlete of the year, as well as to the athlete who spent the most time in the rehabilitation and treatment facility.

Shaw collected all-Peach Belt Conference and all-PBC tournament laurels in her rookie season, ranks first or second on the softball team in nearly every offensive statistic, while also leading the PBC in triples. She also collected softball’s defensive MVP laurels earlier in the evening.

Dies took home her high-regarded honor for her considerable involvement in UNCP’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), her work in the classroom and her athletic prowess on the tennis courts. The Canada native will leave UNCP with 48 career victories in singles competition.

The night was kicked off by a 10-minute video presentation compiled by cross country standout Justin Gordon who earned his team’s most valuable runner accolades.

2007 UNCP ATHLETIC AWARDS
Women’s Cross Country
Most Competitive Runner – Tierra McIntosh
Co-Most Valuable Runners – Katerina Matousova, Ivy Ramsey

Men’s Cross Country
Most Outstanding Scholar-Athlete – Grant Karshner
Most Valuable Runner – Justin Gordon

Women’s Track & Field
Most Valuable Runner – Terria Sinclair
Most Valuable Field Event Performer – Marquita Walters

Men’s Track & Field
Most Oustanding Scholar-Athlete – Giovanni Bilotta
Most Valuable Runner – Mike Mitchell

Tennis
Most Improved Player – Jennifer McPherson
Most Valuable Player – Gabriela Vrana

Women’s Soccer
Defensive Most Valuable Player – Allie Black
Offensive Most Valuable Player – Melanie Cobb

Men’s Soccer
Defensive Most Valuable Player – Steve Locker
Offensive Most Valuable Player – Thomas Morrow

Volleyball
Braves Award – Andrea Laza
Coaches Award – Alicia Hill

Softball
Defensive Most Valuable Player – Jelena Shaw
Offensive Most Valuable Player – Wendi Cochran

Men’s Basketball
Dick Lauffer Most Improved Player – John Walters
Lacy Gane “Mr. Plus” Award – Cortez Brown

Women’s Basketball
Defensive Most Valuable Player – Ivy Ramsey
Offensive Most Valuable Player – Natasha Stotler

Wrestling
Most Falls Award – J.J. Davis
Co-Most Oustanding Wrestlers – Derek Brunson, Willie Hilton

Baseball
Most Outstanding Pitcher – Dave Cockroft
Most Valuable Player – Jeff Adams

Women’s Golf
Extra Effort Award – Annie Prewitt
Most Valuable Player – Christina Crovetti

Men’s Golf
Leadership Award – Travis Marshall
Most Valuable Player – Matt Morrison

Cheerleading & Dance
Most Improved Award – Christin Ransom
Most Dedicated Award – Emily Rasdorf

Athletic Training Room Awards
Comeback Athlete – Katie Linkous, Softball
Second Home Award – Sharkeysha Midgette, Women’s Basketball

NCAA National Leadership Award Certificates
Candy Pambu Ambu, Women’s Track & Field
Victoria Willis, Women’s Basketball
J.J. Davis, Wrestling
Justin Gordon, Men’s Cross Country

SAAC Awards
Freshman of the Year – Jelena Shaw, Softball
Best All-Around Student Athlete -- Natalie Dies, Tennis