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 SFA Athletes Honored At Awards Banquet
May 2, 2002 NACOGDOCHES -- Thirty-two Stephen F. Austin student-athletes were recognized Wednesday at the William R. Johnson Coliseum at the annual SFA Awards Banquet. Pole vaulter Adam Keul (Tyler, Texas) was named the 2002 Ralph Todd Award winner as the Outstanding Male Athlete of the year. The three-time All-American had a solid senior indoor season winning the Southland Conference title and earning All-American honors. Keul is currently ranked second in the nation during the outdoor season. Middle blocker Kristy Rhodes was presented the 2002 June Irwin Award as the Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. Rhodes led the Ladyjacks to a 23-8 overall record and SLC runner-up finish. Rhodes finished in the top six in the conference in attack percentage, kills and service aces. She capped off her senior season by being named the 2002 Southland Conference MVP. The R.H. "Bob" Shelton Athletic Award was presented to Lumberjack middle distance runner J.W. Potter (Big Sandy, Texas). The Shelton Award is presented annually to a Lumberjack senior that best exhibits the traits of outstanding character, academic achievement and athletic excellence. A three-time All-SLC selection, Potter is the two-time defending SLC indoor 800-meter champion and also holds the school record in the event. Senior Wes Pate (Arp, Texas) was named the Dick Wright Memorial Sportsmanship Award and football team MVP award winner. The Dick Wright Award is presented to the Lumberjack athlete that best exemplifies the traits of the late Dick Wright in his desire, determination and dedication to his sport. A three-year letterwinner, Pate finished his career second in career pass yards (6,058) and single-season pass yards (2,625). Pate was also named Offensive MVP. Sophomore David Crocker (Killeen, Texas) was named football Defensive MVP and junior Braxton O'Banion (Houston, Texas) was named Special Teams MVP. The Kathy McGough Academic Athlete of the Year Award was presented to senior pole vaulter Misty Ballard-Swan (Carlsbad, N.M.). Ballard-Swan is a former All-American and a five-time All-Southland Conference athlete who was named 2001 Verizon first-team Academic All-American. Senior Chaquita Dilworth (Temple, Texas) received the 2002 Lucille Norton Basketball Award. Dilworth led the Ladyjacks to their 15th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. Dilworth was tops on the team averaging 12.6 points per contest and was a first-team All-SLC selection this past season. Each SFA team had a Murray Shaw Scholar/Athlete Award winner. The recipients included Jessica Beauchene (tennis), Ashley Blake-Gordon (women's track and field), Jasen Gast (men's basketball), Luke Goode (football), Jessica Guild (women's basketball), Adam Keul (men's track and field), Marlo Nordt (volleyball), Chris Vadner (golf), Mimi Van Ryn (softball) and Lotta Westerberg (soccer).
Ralph Todd Outstanding Male Athlete Adam Keul R.H. "Bob" Shelton Athletic Award J.W. Potter Dick Wright Memorial Sportsmanship Award Wes Pate Cally Belcher Football Award Maada Smith Mart Crawford Football Award Chuck Thompson Football Offensive MVP Wes Pate Football Defensive MVP David Crocker Football Special Teams MVP Braxton O'Banion George Reese Sr. Memorial Golf Award Trevor Sauntry George Johnson Basketball Award Percy Green Elvin "Buddy " Lowery Basketball Award Ransom White Lumberjack Basketball Hustle Award Danny Russell Lumberjack Basketball Leadership Award Ransom White Robert Maluski Cross Country Award Nathan Flores June Irwin Female Athlete of the Year Kristy Rhodes Kathy McGough Academic Athlete of the Year Misty Ballad-Swan Scotty Bailess Volleyball Award Kristy Rhodes Lucille Norton Basketball Award Chaquita Dilworth Ladyjack Basketball Heart & Soul Award Jessica and Nicole Guild Gwen Cole Cross Country Award Ana Rodriguez Dianne Baker Tennis Award Jessica Beauchene Sadie Allison Softball Award Devin Cobb Pam Thorstenson Soccer Award Jessica Negron
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