Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Athletics Holds Third Annual Ypsi Awards
4/17/2017 9:17:00 PM | General
The ESPY-style award show honored academic, citizenship and athletic achievements of this year’s student-athletes
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EMU All-Access Replay
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics held the third annual Ypsi Awards at the Convocation Center Monday, April 17, to honor the top athletic, citizenship, and academic achievements by EMU student-athletes during the 2016-17 academic year.
The Ypsi Awards saw EMU student-athletes, coaches, athletic department, and university staff come together to honor the Eagles' best individuals and teams, as well as the 2016-17 seniors from each of Eastern Michigan's 21 sport programs. The 90-minute ceremony featured live performances, video skits, and awards presentations by several EMU student-athletes and staff.
Wrestlers Armando Torres and Devan Marry served as the student emcees, and were joined by women's basketball assistant coach Abi Olajuwon, while a wide-range of student-athletes, coaches, and administration presented the awards to the winners. Eastern Michigan coaches nominated student-athletes for the awards and the list was narrowed down to four finalists in each category by members of the Eastern Michigan University Student-Athlete Experience Committee. The winners for every award, except Play of the Year, were selected by the Eastern Michigan University's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), which is made up of representatives from every EMU intercollegiate athletics team.
Senior diver Alex Chan took home Male Athlete of the Year honors, after sweeping the diving events at the MAC Championships for the third consecutive year. This season, Chan was named to the All-MAC First Team and the MAC Outstanding Diver at the MAC Championships. He broke the 300-point barrier four times, and topped the 400-point mark twice, while posting four first-place finishes.
Junior cross country and track and field athlete Jordann McDermitt was named Female Athlete of the Year, earning All-American honors for her 24th-place finish at the 2016 NCAA Cross Country Championships, following her first-place performance at the MAC Championships and fifth-place performance at the 2016 NCAA Great Lakes Regional . Her All-American honor was just the second in program history. Additionally, McDermitt also claimed First Team All-American honors at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, taking sixth in the 5000m run to become the team's eighth student-athlete to earn first team accolades. The Davison, Mich. native was named an All-MAC Second Team honoree as well, claiming silver in the 3000m and bronze in the 5000m at the indoor conference championships.
The Male Milestone Performance of the Year award was presented to the football team for its record-breaking season in 2016. The Eagles finished the regular season 7-5, the most wins in a season since 1989, and secured a bid to the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, marking the first time that the Eagles have attended a bowl game since 1987. The squad also finished in a tie for the most improved program in the Football Bowl Subdivision, bettering its win total from one win in 2015 to seven this past season. Following the regular season, eight Eagles received All-MAC honors, which was the most since the 1996 campaign.
Senior Phillis Webb was honored for the Female Milestone Performance of the Year. The Brooklyn Park, Minn. native is the all-time leader in career games played at 134, and earlier this year, became just the seventh player in school-history to record both 1,000 points and 700 rebounds in their career. Webb scored 843 points over her last 65 games after posting just 282 during her first 69 contests. She set personal bests with 31 points against Northern Illinois (2-25-17) and 17 rebounds versus Air Force (12-21-16). Overall, Webb ranked in the MAC in four statistical categories, including third in defensive rebounds (6.3), fourth in rebounding (8.4), sixth in minutes played (34.7), and 14th in scoring (14.6).
Senior football wide receiver Sergio Bailey II walked away with Play of the Year honors for his game-winning touchdown catch against Central Michigan, Nov. 22. With the Eagles trailing in the closing minute of the game, Bailey II reeled in a tough pass in the corner of the end zone to put the Eagles ahead with just 19 seconds remaining against the Chippewas. With the victory in the final regular season game, Eastern moved to 7-5 on the season, securing the team's first bowl bid since 1987. Bailey II had a breakout season overall with 868 yards receiving and seven touchdowns, both of which led the team.
Redshirt freshman wrestler Noah Gonser was named the Male Newcomer of the Year after an outstanding first season on the mats. He became just the second EMU freshman since 1984 to earn a bid to the NCAA Championships. In is first season as a primary starter, the redshirt freshman posted a 16-12 record, including a 7-4 mark in duals. During the regular season, he defeated three nationally ranked opponents, while being ranked in the top-20 of his weight class himself. Gonser earned his first appearance in the NCAA tournament with an at-large bid after placing 6th at the MAC Championships.
Freshman soccer player Sabrina McNeill captured the Female Newcomer of the Year after an outstanding freshman season in which she was named the MAC Freshman of the Year, the first Eagle to earn the honor since 2011. In her first season with the Green and White, McNeill ranked second on the team with four goals, while tying for the team-lead with three assists.
Men's cross country was honored for the third consecutive season as the Men's Team of the Year after locking up its seventh consecutive and 21st MAC title in program history with a perfect 15 points, marking the first time in conference history that a team posted a perfect race. On the women's side, the women's cross country team was honored as the Female Team of the Year. The Eagles qualified to the NCAA Championships as a team for the second time ever, and finished ninth in the nation. Additionally, the squad also secured the MAC title for the second consecutive year and just the second time in program history.
Academically, the men's golf and women's cross country teams were honored as the Academic Teams of the Year, while Sierra Wagner (women's swimming & diving) and Jared Multer (men's golf) were named E-Club Female and Male Scholar Athletes of the Year.
Teams were honored not only for their performances on the field and in the classroom, but also for their work in the Ypsilanti community. The men's swimming & diving team earned the Men's Community Service Team of the Year Award, while the softball team grabbed the Women's Community Service Team of the Year Award. Individually, Sydney McEachern (women's gymnastics) was honored as the Female Individual Community Service Award winner, while Kevin Moore (men's swimming) garnered the Male Individual Community Service Award.
Three more individual awards were presented, as Brody Hoying (football) earned the Heart Award, the baseball team grabbed the Upset of the Year award, and Chris Cutter (men's swimming & diving) was also given the Leadership Award. Each team also selected a Teammate of the Year in honor of women's basketball player Shannise Heady. The recipients included: Phillis Webb (women's basketball), Anthony Jones (men's track and field), Sofie Gallein (women's track and field), Darien Terrell (football), Beau Breault (men's golf), Kelsey Murphy (women's golf), Julia Schwartz (gymnastics), Baylee Kinkade (rowing), Mabel Dunn (women's soccer), Alex Peters (softball), Ricky Perez (men's swimming and diving), Genna Worthley (women's swimming and diving), Devon Murray (volleyball), and Shayne Wireman (wrestling).
The softball team was honored as the Eagles Unite Award winners for the representation in support of fellow student-athletes throughout the 2016-17 home schedule. Finally, the women's gymnastics earned the Cartwright Award for the second straight year for being the best team overall in academics, athletics, and citizenship.
EMU All-Access Replay
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics held the third annual Ypsi Awards at the Convocation Center Monday, April 17, to honor the top athletic, citizenship, and academic achievements by EMU student-athletes during the 2016-17 academic year.
The Ypsi Awards saw EMU student-athletes, coaches, athletic department, and university staff come together to honor the Eagles' best individuals and teams, as well as the 2016-17 seniors from each of Eastern Michigan's 21 sport programs. The 90-minute ceremony featured live performances, video skits, and awards presentations by several EMU student-athletes and staff.
Wrestlers Armando Torres and Devan Marry served as the student emcees, and were joined by women's basketball assistant coach Abi Olajuwon, while a wide-range of student-athletes, coaches, and administration presented the awards to the winners. Eastern Michigan coaches nominated student-athletes for the awards and the list was narrowed down to four finalists in each category by members of the Eastern Michigan University Student-Athlete Experience Committee. The winners for every award, except Play of the Year, were selected by the Eastern Michigan University's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), which is made up of representatives from every EMU intercollegiate athletics team.
Senior diver Alex Chan took home Male Athlete of the Year honors, after sweeping the diving events at the MAC Championships for the third consecutive year. This season, Chan was named to the All-MAC First Team and the MAC Outstanding Diver at the MAC Championships. He broke the 300-point barrier four times, and topped the 400-point mark twice, while posting four first-place finishes.
Junior cross country and track and field athlete Jordann McDermitt was named Female Athlete of the Year, earning All-American honors for her 24th-place finish at the 2016 NCAA Cross Country Championships, following her first-place performance at the MAC Championships and fifth-place performance at the 2016 NCAA Great Lakes Regional . Her All-American honor was just the second in program history. Additionally, McDermitt also claimed First Team All-American honors at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, taking sixth in the 5000m run to become the team's eighth student-athlete to earn first team accolades. The Davison, Mich. native was named an All-MAC Second Team honoree as well, claiming silver in the 3000m and bronze in the 5000m at the indoor conference championships.
The Male Milestone Performance of the Year award was presented to the football team for its record-breaking season in 2016. The Eagles finished the regular season 7-5, the most wins in a season since 1989, and secured a bid to the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, marking the first time that the Eagles have attended a bowl game since 1987. The squad also finished in a tie for the most improved program in the Football Bowl Subdivision, bettering its win total from one win in 2015 to seven this past season. Following the regular season, eight Eagles received All-MAC honors, which was the most since the 1996 campaign.
Senior Phillis Webb was honored for the Female Milestone Performance of the Year. The Brooklyn Park, Minn. native is the all-time leader in career games played at 134, and earlier this year, became just the seventh player in school-history to record both 1,000 points and 700 rebounds in their career. Webb scored 843 points over her last 65 games after posting just 282 during her first 69 contests. She set personal bests with 31 points against Northern Illinois (2-25-17) and 17 rebounds versus Air Force (12-21-16). Overall, Webb ranked in the MAC in four statistical categories, including third in defensive rebounds (6.3), fourth in rebounding (8.4), sixth in minutes played (34.7), and 14th in scoring (14.6).
Senior football wide receiver Sergio Bailey II walked away with Play of the Year honors for his game-winning touchdown catch against Central Michigan, Nov. 22. With the Eagles trailing in the closing minute of the game, Bailey II reeled in a tough pass in the corner of the end zone to put the Eagles ahead with just 19 seconds remaining against the Chippewas. With the victory in the final regular season game, Eastern moved to 7-5 on the season, securing the team's first bowl bid since 1987. Bailey II had a breakout season overall with 868 yards receiving and seven touchdowns, both of which led the team.
Redshirt freshman wrestler Noah Gonser was named the Male Newcomer of the Year after an outstanding first season on the mats. He became just the second EMU freshman since 1984 to earn a bid to the NCAA Championships. In is first season as a primary starter, the redshirt freshman posted a 16-12 record, including a 7-4 mark in duals. During the regular season, he defeated three nationally ranked opponents, while being ranked in the top-20 of his weight class himself. Gonser earned his first appearance in the NCAA tournament with an at-large bid after placing 6th at the MAC Championships.
Freshman soccer player Sabrina McNeill captured the Female Newcomer of the Year after an outstanding freshman season in which she was named the MAC Freshman of the Year, the first Eagle to earn the honor since 2011. In her first season with the Green and White, McNeill ranked second on the team with four goals, while tying for the team-lead with three assists.
Men's cross country was honored for the third consecutive season as the Men's Team of the Year after locking up its seventh consecutive and 21st MAC title in program history with a perfect 15 points, marking the first time in conference history that a team posted a perfect race. On the women's side, the women's cross country team was honored as the Female Team of the Year. The Eagles qualified to the NCAA Championships as a team for the second time ever, and finished ninth in the nation. Additionally, the squad also secured the MAC title for the second consecutive year and just the second time in program history.
Academically, the men's golf and women's cross country teams were honored as the Academic Teams of the Year, while Sierra Wagner (women's swimming & diving) and Jared Multer (men's golf) were named E-Club Female and Male Scholar Athletes of the Year.
Teams were honored not only for their performances on the field and in the classroom, but also for their work in the Ypsilanti community. The men's swimming & diving team earned the Men's Community Service Team of the Year Award, while the softball team grabbed the Women's Community Service Team of the Year Award. Individually, Sydney McEachern (women's gymnastics) was honored as the Female Individual Community Service Award winner, while Kevin Moore (men's swimming) garnered the Male Individual Community Service Award.
Three more individual awards were presented, as Brody Hoying (football) earned the Heart Award, the baseball team grabbed the Upset of the Year award, and Chris Cutter (men's swimming & diving) was also given the Leadership Award. Each team also selected a Teammate of the Year in honor of women's basketball player Shannise Heady. The recipients included: Phillis Webb (women's basketball), Anthony Jones (men's track and field), Sofie Gallein (women's track and field), Darien Terrell (football), Beau Breault (men's golf), Kelsey Murphy (women's golf), Julia Schwartz (gymnastics), Baylee Kinkade (rowing), Mabel Dunn (women's soccer), Alex Peters (softball), Ricky Perez (men's swimming and diving), Genna Worthley (women's swimming and diving), Devon Murray (volleyball), and Shayne Wireman (wrestling).
The softball team was honored as the Eagles Unite Award winners for the representation in support of fellow student-athletes throughout the 2016-17 home schedule. Finally, the women's gymnastics earned the Cartwright Award for the second straight year for being the best team overall in academics, athletics, and citizenship.
Awards Nominees (Winners Bolded):
E-Club Male Scholar Athlete of the Year
Cole Gardner - Football
Jared Multer - Men's Golf
Erik Brinkhoff - Men's Swimming & Diving
Nick Barber - Wrestling
E-Club Female Scholar Athlete of the Year
Natalie Uy - Women's Track & Field
Sydney McEachern - Gymnastics
Sierra Wagner - Women's Swimming & Diving
Devon Murray - Volleyball
Male Academic Team of the Year
Men's Golf
Female Academic Team of the Year
Women's Cross Country
Male Individual Community Service Award
Jason Ervin - Track & Field
Joey Kremer - Golf
Chris Cutter - Men's Swimming & Diving
Kevin Moore - Men's Swimming & Diving
Female Individual Community Service Award
Sydney McEachern - Gymnastics
Taylor Wagner - Softball
Emily Tubbs - Women's Swimming & Diving
Jamie Rittenhouse - Rowing
Eagle's Unite Award
Men's Swimming & Diving
Wrestling
Gymnastics
Softball
Rowing
Male Team Community Service Award
Men's Swimming & Diving
Female Team Community Service Award
Softball
Teammates of the Year
Anthony Jones - Men's Track & Field
Darien Terrell - Football
Beau Breault - Men's Golf
Ricky Perez - Men's Swimming & Diving
Shayne Wireman - Wrestling
Phillis Webb - Women's Basketball
Sofie Gallein - Women's Track & Field
Kelsey Murphy - Women's Golf
Julia Schwartz - Gymnastics
Alex Peters - Softball
Mabel Dunn - Soccer
Genna Worthey - Women's Swimming & Diving
Baylee Kinkade - Rowing
Devon Murray - Volleyball
Male Newcomer of the Year
Ivan Suazo - Men's Track & Field
Sergio Bailey II - Football
Matan Segal - Men's Swimming & Diving
Noah Gonser - Wrestling
Female Newcomer of the Year
Micah Johnston - Women's Track & Field
Sabrina McNeil - Soccer
Claire Young - Women's Swimming & Diving
Emili Dobronics - Gymnastics
Heart Award
Brody Hoying - Football
Dan Gironza - Men's Swimming & Diving
Jake Davis - Wrestling
Pat O'Connor - Football
Janina Pollatz - Women's Track & Field
Carly Jackson - Women's Swimming & Diving
Upset of the Year
Baseball vs Kent State
Men's Swimming & Diving
Sydney Meyers
Alexis Mitcheltree
Play of the Year
Nick Jones - Baseball
Kayne MacCallum - Wrestling
Tim Bond - Men's Basketball
Cameron Hart - Men's Track & Field
Sergio Bailey II - Football
Kendall Valentin - Gymnastics
Women's Track & Field
Rowing
Male Milestone Performance of the Year
Ray Lee - Men's Basketball
Nick Raymond - Men's Cross Country
Football
Kyle Rodes - Men's Golf
Alex Chan - Men's Swimming & Diving
Female Milestone Performance of the Year
Phillis Webb - Women's Basketball
Jordann McDermitt - Women's Track & Field
Kendall Valentin - Gymnastics
Michelle Kriegshauser - Softball
Nicole Swartz - Women's Swimming & Diving
Men's Team of the Year
Men's Cross Country
Football
Men's Swimming & Diving
Women's Team of the Year
Women's Cross Country
Gymnastics
Women's Swimming & Diving
Male Athlete of the Year
Solomon Simmons - Men's Track & Field
Pat O'Connor - Football
Alex Chan - Men's Swimming & Diving
Gage Hutchison - Wrestling
Female Athlete of the Year
Catie Conrad - Gymnastics
Jordann McDermitt - Women's Track & Field
Ellie Tillar - Soccer
Alexis Mitcheltree - Women's Swimming & Diving
Lombardi Leadership Award
Pat O'Connor - Football
Chris Cutter - Men's Swimming & Diving
Phillis Webb - Women's Basketball
Sierra Wagner - Women's Swimming & Diving
Anna Aldrich - Women's Track & Field
Cartwright Award
Football
Women's Swimming & Diving
Gymnastics
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Softball
Rowing
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