Paine Athletics Hosts Annual Awards Banquet

The Paine College Athletics Department hosted its annual awards banquet on Tuesday evening at the HEAL Complex to honor the achievements, hard work and dedication of its student-athletes.

Natalie White, the Vice-President of Basketball Operations for the WNBA's Atlanta Dream was the guest speaker for the night and gave a powerful message, which resonated with the Lions student-athletes, staff and guest.

Janisha Wilkerson of the women's basketball team and Evan Krenz of the baseball team earned the night's highest award, The Ronnie O. Spry Director of Athletics Distinguished Award for exemplifying athletic excellence, ambassadorship, and leadership on and off the playing fields. Wilkerson a senior from Brunswick, Ga. was an all-conference selection led the SIAC in blocks while finishing second in points per game and rebounds. She also eclipsed the 1000 point mark for her career. Krenz a junior from Evans, Ga. was also an all-conference selection and finished ranked 3rd in the nation with 10 wins.

A full list of the awards handed out at the event can be found below:

Women's Volleyball
Coach's Award-Kayla Lewis
Newcomer-of-the-Year Award-Mikalia Wallace
Best Offensive Player Award-Caprice Lockett
Best Defensive Player Award-Deja' Sims-Dean

Women's Cross Country
Newcomer-of-the-Year Award-DeAndrea Anderson
Most Valuable Cross Country Award-Precious Booth

Men's Cross Country
Newcomer-of-the-Year Award-Nasheem Green
Most Valuable Cross Country Award-Kelson Vandenburg

Women's Basketball
Most Improved Player Award-Mikalia Wallace
Coach's Award-Briana Andrews
110% Award-Kayla Lewis
Most Outstanding Freshman Award-Simira Huggins
Most Valuable Player Award-Janisha Wilkerson

Men's Basketball
Hustler Award-Yusef Riley
Outstanding Student Award-Malcolm Whittington
Teammate-of-the-Year Award-Deonte Moses
Most Valuable Player Award-Kaderious Compton

Women's Track & Field
Most Improved Player Award-Makalia Wallace
Coach's Award-Elizabeth Reza
Most Valuable Track & Field Award-Lakeeba Redfield

Men's Track & Field
Most Improved Player Award-Kelson Vandenburg
Coach's Award-Marvin Sims
Most Valuable Track & Field Award-Jalen Tyson

Softball
Newcomer Award-Kayla Lewis
Coach's Award-Daviana Harvey
Slugger Award-Sabrina Arnold

Baseball
Most Outstanding Academic Award-Evan Krenz
Most Improved Player Award-Zachary Rader
Most Outstanding Offensive Player Award-Gabriel Guzman
Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award-Fentress Henderson
Most Valuable Player Award-Evan Krenz

Men's Golf
Most Improved Player Award-Djimon Dixon
Coach's Award-Juan Berger
Low Medalist Award-Matthew Peavler

Team Leadership Award (Just plate engraved)
Men's Basketball

Lion Pride Award
Kayla Lewis-Women's Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field and Softball
Yusef Riley-Men's Basketball and Track & Field


Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year Award
Aalyiha Wright
Women's Basketball
Major: Sociology
GPA: 3.73

Adam Martin
Baseball
Major: Business Management
GPA: 3.5

Ronnie O. Spry Director of Athletics Distinguished Award
Janisha Wilkerson, Women's Basketball
Evan Krez, Baseball

President's Cup Award
Elizabeth Reza
Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
Major: Accounting
GPA: 3.65

Juan Berger
Men's Golf
Major: Business Management
GPA: 3.62

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