Islanders celebrate 2017-18 athletic year

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M Corpus Christi University Department of Athletics held its annual Islander Awards on Sunday evening in the Anchor Ballroom. There were 42 awards handed out to student-athletes on the night for accomplishments during the 2017-18 competition seasons. View photos from the evening's festivities here, courtesy of Edgar De La Garza.
 
There were five major awards presented to close the ceremony. The Scholar Athletes of the Year were baseball's Scott Balfantz and track and field/cross country's Allyson Girard. Joseph Kilgore from the men's basketball team earned the Male Athlete of the Year honor. The Female Athlete of the Year award went to Allyson Girard. The Lee Denmon "Islander Way" award was presented to men's tennis senior Biyik Akinshemoyin.

The 2018 Islander Cup was presented to the women's soccer team for the second straight season. During the academic year, student athletes were able to participate in a number of activities and gain points in the areas of: Islander Pride, Community Service, Personal Development, Academics and Athletics.
 
The award ceremony also recognized the new and current members of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society as well as the 2018 Islander senior class.
 
Golf
Most Valuable Player – Autumn Bynum
Team Leadership Award – Brooklyn Sutton

Softball
Most Valuable Offensive Player - Kayla Sheridan
Most Valuable Defensive Player - Ashley Smith

Baseball
Hitter of the Year - Will be announced at later date
Pitcher of the Year - Will be announced at later date

Volleyball
Scholar Athlete of the Year - Madison Green
Outstanding Player of the Year - Kristyn Nicholson

Beach Volleyball
Most Outstanding Player - Madison Green
Most Outstanding Player - Selina Marolf

Women's Basketball
Islanders Award - Emma Young
Most Valuable Player - Brittany Mbamalu

Men's Basketball
Most Valuable Player - Joseph Kilgore
Islander Award - Kareem South & Peyton Smith

Women's Tennis
Most Valuable Player - Jelena Dzinic
Heart of the Team - Marina Vicens Miquel

Men's Tennis
Most Valuable Player - William Mottet
Nathan Robinson Heart of the Team - Carlos Pedrosa Cuevas

Women's Cross Country
Most Valuable Runner - Allyson Girard
Most Improved Runner - Valentina Campos

Men's Cross Country
Most Valuable Runner - Marek Spriestersbach
Most Improved Runner - Isaac Vargas

Women's Indoor Track
Most Valuable Athlete - Allyson Girard & Rabea Schoneborn
Most Improved Athlete - Sierra Pruitt

Men's Indoor Track
Most Valuable Athlete - James Manders
Most Improved Athlete - Isaac Vargas

Women's Outdoor Track (2017)
Most Valuable Athlete - Sashane Hanson
Most Improved Athlete - Hannah McWilliams

Men's Outdoor Track (2017)
Most Valuable Athlete - Will Maraggia
Most Improved Athlete - Zhafear Ray

Cheer
Best Team Player - Keaton Tamayo
Most Valuable Cheerleader - Lindsey Johnson

Dance
Best Team Player - Allie Mccaughey
Most Valuable Dancer - Carrie Fulgham

Soccer
Most Valuable Player - Ashley Hamilton
Most Improved Player - Siri O'Donnell

Islanders Strength Award
Female Strength Award - Kaelin Simmons
Male Strength Award - Harrison DiNicola

Athletic Training
Student of the Year - Sydney Gaytan