WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. –The Winston-Salem State University athletic department hosted its athletic banquet on Sunday evening inside McNeil Banquet Hall.
The night began with guests taking photos at the 360 booth from the Love360xperience.
Mister & Miss Red & White (Mekhi Harris & Teanna Davis) kicked off the athletic ceremony.
The award ceremony took flight with Commissioner Tonya McDaniel from the Forsyth County Government Board of Commissioners and Dr. Valerie Benton-Smith from the North Carolina Black Chambers of Commerce presenting proclamations to the 2022 CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Team and the 2023 CIAA Men's Basketball Championship team.
Then, the athletic department honored the 2023 graduates with their stoles and presented 123 student-athletes with GPAs of 3.0 or higher with academic medals.
Other big awards included the Chancellor's Award, awarded to a returning student-athlete who has been a sports program member for one complete academic year. This year's recipient was Junior, Zoe White, a volleyball student-athlete from Fayetteville, NC majoring in Political Science.
The Athletic's Director Cup is presented to the team with the highest GPA in the fall semester of the academic year. The Women's Volleyball Team received the award for the third consecutive year.
Marcus McElveen, assistant football coach (Defensive Coordinator) received the Weston Spirit Award, named after Claudette Weston, long-time friend, and supporter of WSSU Athletics, this award is given to an athletic department staff member with an untiring team spirit.
The Ultimate Ram award is for non-athletic staff member that supports the department and student-athletes beyond the call of duty. This year's recipient was LaKeith Stevenson.
The team awards recipients went to:
Student-Athletic Training Staff:
Most Improved Award to: Destiny Wilkerson
Rookie of the Year: Sade Robinson
MVP: Briauna Walls
Student Managers/ Assistants
Rookie of the Year: Sequioa Lindsey
Topflight Award: Draeson Crosby
MVP: Tamiya Oates
Tennis
Newcomer of the Year: Makenna Mason
Leadership: Shajada Barrett
MVP: Semmie Moore
Volleyball
Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year: Sanaa Lanier
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year: Myra Wallace
MVP: Breona Young
Track & Field
Most Valuable Runner: Ronee Tudor
Field Athlete of the Year: Kennedy Alexander
Rookie of the Year: Jayla Warren
Amon Hustle Award: Tamia Mclean
Most Valuable Athlete: Vanessa Jones
Women's Cross Country
Most Valuable Runner: Tinasia Davis
Rookie of the Year: Jaiyah Nelson
Amon Hustle Award: Vanessa Jones
Men's Cross Country
Most Valuable Runner: Jaidon Izard
Rookie of the Year: Xavier Watkins
Amon Hustle Award: Cecil Hairston, Jr.
Golf
Player of the Year: Alex Chenard
Most Improved: Tyler Thomas
Alvin Queen, Sr.: Ahmad Raoul
White Team Cheerleaders
White Heart Award: Ariyanna Washington
Rookie of the Year: Keyonnie Jackson
Most Outstanding: Ca'lyn Jones
Red Team Cheerleaders
Red Heart Award: Daviana McAdams
Rookie of the Year: Darius Stevens
Most Outstanding: Williams Johnson
Softball
Most Improved: Alicia Carrington
Most Outstanding Offense: Alycia Cunningham
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Kamryn Kirby
Women's Basketball
Most Improved: Taniah Wilkins
Newcomer of the Year: Jakaiya Mack
Most Valuable Player: Amiya Tucker
Men's Basketball
Most Improved: Isaac Parson
Justin Ross Award (Best Teammate): Jaylin Parker
Most Valuable: Jaylen Alston
Football
Rookie of the Year: Jahtwan Stafford
Most Improved: Justin Fleming
Coaches Award: Darius McDuffie
