HOUSTON- Texas Southern Athletics hosted its 2017-18 All-Sports Banquet at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Houston. The annual event brought a festive close to an exciting year for Tigers Athletics.
Texas Southern women's basketball student-athlete Camille Mills was named the 2017-18 Female Presidential Award winner while Tigers' Track and Field student-athlete Mykele Young-Sanders took home the Male 2017-18 Presidential Award.
Mills has volunteered with Lockhart Elementary School Pal Program and Meals on Wheels. She has also been a member of SAAC for 2016-17 and 2017-18. She has served as the Vice President of SAAC for the 2017-18 academic year. She has also volunteered her time as a tutor for the Athletics Department.
Athletically she was a significant part of the Lady Tigers success this past season as she averaged 4.4 points per game to go along with 2.5 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game.
She served as one of the Lady Tigers most versatile guards and was also a huge presence for TSU on the defensive end of the floor where she tallied 67 steals (1st on team) and 6 blocks. She was also a part of the 2016-2017 SWAC Tournament Championship team which went on to make the programs 1st NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.
Of all of her accomplishments perhaps the most impress is the fact that she was the Salutatorian of Texas Southern University Winter commencement with a 3.9 GPA. She was also named the 2017-2018 Maroon and Gray "Female of the Year" honoree.
Mills will finish graduate school in the Spring of 2019 while working with women's basketball as a graduate assistant and continuing her education by attending law school.
Young-Sanders has also made his impact felt as a student-athlete here at Texas Southern. He has volunteered with the University Book Swap, reading for children and exchanging books for Christmas, as well as Bows and Bowties, a middle school college prep forum, TSU Athletics Christmas Adopt-A-Child Program, as well as the TSU Athletics Health Camp.
He has participated in the Key Middle School after school track mentorship program, Black History Program in partnership with Jack & Jill, Reading and Fitness Forum for W.R. Banks Elementary Students.
Young-Sanders also reads to Reynolds Elementary School students with "Reading For The Record," an annual nationwide event.
Athletically he has been a steady contributor for the Tigers Track and Field team this season as well as years past. He has competed in multiple events and has been one of TSU's top finishers at several track meets held this season.
At the TSU Relays he claimed a 2nd place finish in the 400 meter hurdles and remains the overall record holder Texas Southern. Young-Sanders was also a member of the 2016 Texas Southern SWAC Indoor and Outdoor Championship teams. He placed 3rd in the Indoor 60 meter hurdles in 2016, and was crowned SWAC Champion in the 400 meter hurdles in 2017, while qualifying for the NCAA West Regionals (2015-2017).
His other notable accolades include being named to the TSU Presidents List 2016-17, and 2017-18, the TSU Athletics Dean's Award 2016-17, and 2017-18 all while receiving the Highest GPA Award 2016-17, and 2017-18.
A complete listing of the award winners at the event can be found below.
SOCCER
Defensive Player of the Year: Brooke Ianiero
Offensive Player of the Year: Paige Hayward
Most Improved Player: Alexia Ladipo
Servant Leader: Briana Norwood
Highest GPA: Kayla Smith 3.69
All-SWAC 1st Team
Kayla Smith
Brianna Norwood
All-SWAC 2nd Team
Paige Hayward
Freshman of the Year
Tammy Syron
VOLLEYBALL
Tiger Strong Award- Erin Adams
Most Valuable Player Award- Kirby Anderson
On the Court In the Class Award- Nicole Robinson
Kill Maker Award- Alexis Austin
Highest GPA: Breyanna York 3.65
All SWAC 1st Team- Kirby Anderson
ALL SWAC 2nd Team- Asia Howard
All-Tournament Team- Cassidy Jannson, Kirby Anderson, and Alexis Austin
FOOTBALL
Defensive Player of the Year: Julian
Freshman of the Year: Jimmy White Jr.
Academic Excellence: Lathaniel Thompson
Highest GPA: Tracy Johnson (Graduate Student) 4.0
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Most Outstanding Performer: Jorge Martinez
Highest GPA: Jose Medina 3.85
All-SWAC 2nd Team - Jorge Martinez
MEN'S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Indoor Outstanding Performer- Jorge Martinez-
Outstanding Freshmen -Roman Turner
Outstanding Sophomore -Jodee Archer-Harvey
Outstanding Junior -Harvey Kendall
Outstanding Senior- Darius Briden
Highest GPA: Mykele Young- Sanders 3.82
Harvey Kendall and Jorge Martinez
MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
2017 Most Outstanding Thrower: Terrell Perry
2017 Most Outstanding Jumper: Harvey Kendall
2017 Most Outstanding Jumper: Tevin Kimble
2017 Most Outstanding Hurdler: Mykele Young-Sanders
Terrell Perry, Harvey Kendall, D'Andre Lewis, and Mykele Young Sanders
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Most Valuable Athlete – Decara Walters
Most Improved Athlete – LaNique Smith
Most Improved Athlete- Alayshia Jones
Highest GPA: Mariah Stewart 3.43
WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Most Outstanding Athlete- Zaidra James
Field Athlete Award – Quintella Johnson
Most Courageous Award- Mariah Stewart
Most Valuable Athlete – Alexis Gray
Highest GPA: Kiya Reeves 3.89
Alexis Grey, Quintella Johnson, Zaidra James, Dashavonta Kinney, Cydnee Bush, Ellena Torres, Christelle Nintcheu, and Kiya Reeves
WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
2017 Most Valuable Field Athlete- Miriam Pierre
2017 Most Valuable Track Athlete – Breana Dockery
2017 Most Improved Athlete Award – Dashavonta Kinney
2017 Most Improved Athlete Award - Shamiya Blake
2017 All-SWAC
Miriam Pierre, Breana Dockery, Alexis Grey, Nikole Haroon, Dashavonta Kinney, Kiya Reeves, Ellena Torres, Christelle Nincheu, Shamiya Blake, Breanca Woods, and Melissa Pena
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Leading Scorer in the SWAC – Donte Clark
Most Improved Player – Cainan McClelland
Highest GPA: Divonte Lumpkin 4.0
All-Tournament Team
Damontrae Jefferson SWAC Men's Tournament Most Valuable Player
All-Tournament Team Donte Clark
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Most Improved Tiger: Camille Mills
Most Outstanding Senior Award: Kaitlyn Palmer
Lady Tiger Spirit Award: Makenna Pouengue
Lady Tiger Award: Taylor Robinson
Highest GPA: Camille Mills 3.88
All-SWAC 1st Team - Joyce Kennerson SWAC Player of the Year
All-Tournament Team- Taylor Robinson
MEN'S GOLF
Leadership Award: Larry Balthazar
Spirit Award: Ross Lucas Elliott
Most Valuable Player: Tom McLaughlin
Tiger Award: Blake Lolato
Highest GPA: Ross Lucas Elliott 3.61
All-SWAC 1st Team - Tom McLaughlin
All-SWAC 2nd Team - Lucas Elliott
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Leadership Award: Amber Kuykendall
Spirit Award: August Garcia
Most Valuable Player: Amber Kuykendall
Lady Tiger Award: Destani Burbank
Highest GPA: Hillary Washington 3.83
All-SWAC 1st Team - Amber Kuykendall
All-SWAC 2nd Team - Hillary Washington
SOFTBALL
Co-Pitchers of the Year- Jasmine Fulmore and Lauren Rodriguez
Golden Shoes Award (Stolen Bases)- Terren Vinson
Lady Tiger Award (Best Attitude) - Marissa Padron
Highest GPA: Lauren Rodriguez 3.74
2017 Freshman of the Year
Madilynn Marek
2017 All-SWAC 1st Team
Jasmin Fulmore SWAC Pitcher of the Year Chanler Powell, Lauren Rodriguez, and Kelsey Riley
2017 All SWAC Tournament Team-Sierra Valdez, Jocilynn Ellis, Lauren Rodriguez, and Jasmine Fulmore
BASEBALL
Alexander Carillo - Jolly Rancher award
Cameron Dukes - Tiger award
Horace Leblanc - Leadership award
Eagle and Fountain Award- Robert Loza
Highest GPA: Guadencio Lucca 3.77
2017 All-SWAC 2nd Team - Olajide Oloruntimilehin
2017 All-Tournament Team- Christian Sanchez, Anthony Martinez, Michael Villanueva, Gaudencio Lucca
BOWLING
Most Valuable Bowler-Samantha Kriner
Most Improved-Brittany Torres
High Avg-Denisyha Waller
Highest GPA: Jessica Thoma 3.82
All-SWAC 1st Team - Denisyha Waller and Samantha Kriner
All-SWAC 2nd Team - Brittany Torres
SWAC All-Tournament Team- Samantha Kriner
SPORTS INFORMATION
Outstanding Service Award: Demetrius Howse
SPORTS MEDICINE
Highest GPA: Tronecia Washington 3.48
CHEERLEADERS
Certificate of Achievement Awards
Tyra Anderson
Janai Minga
Lexie Hardaway
Kennedy Torres
Jamia Smith
Cheyenne Rolison
Veonna Temple
Jasmine Stewart
Alexis Banger
Joshua Phillips
Jamal Shelton
Courtesy: TSU Athletics
Texas Southern women's basketball student-athlete Camille Mills was named the 2017-18 Female Presidential Award winner while Tigers' Track and Field student-athlete Mykele Young-Sanders took home the Male 2017-18 Presidential Award.
Mills has volunteered with Lockhart Elementary School Pal Program and Meals on Wheels. She has also been a member of SAAC for 2016-17 and 2017-18. She has served as the Vice President of SAAC for the 2017-18 academic year. She has also volunteered her time as a tutor for the Athletics Department.
Athletically she was a significant part of the Lady Tigers success this past season as she averaged 4.4 points per game to go along with 2.5 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game.
She served as one of the Lady Tigers most versatile guards and was also a huge presence for TSU on the defensive end of the floor where she tallied 67 steals (1st on team) and 6 blocks. She was also a part of the 2016-2017 SWAC Tournament Championship team which went on to make the programs 1st NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.
Of all of her accomplishments perhaps the most impress is the fact that she was the Salutatorian of Texas Southern University Winter commencement with a 3.9 GPA. She was also named the 2017-2018 Maroon and Gray "Female of the Year" honoree.
Mills will finish graduate school in the Spring of 2019 while working with women's basketball as a graduate assistant and continuing her education by attending law school.
Young-Sanders has also made his impact felt as a student-athlete here at Texas Southern. He has volunteered with the University Book Swap, reading for children and exchanging books for Christmas, as well as Bows and Bowties, a middle school college prep forum, TSU Athletics Christmas Adopt-A-Child Program, as well as the TSU Athletics Health Camp.
He has participated in the Key Middle School after school track mentorship program, Black History Program in partnership with Jack & Jill, Reading and Fitness Forum for W.R. Banks Elementary Students.
Young-Sanders also reads to Reynolds Elementary School students with "Reading For The Record," an annual nationwide event.
Athletically he has been a steady contributor for the Tigers Track and Field team this season as well as years past. He has competed in multiple events and has been one of TSU's top finishers at several track meets held this season.
At the TSU Relays he claimed a 2nd place finish in the 400 meter hurdles and remains the overall record holder Texas Southern. Young-Sanders was also a member of the 2016 Texas Southern SWAC Indoor and Outdoor Championship teams. He placed 3rd in the Indoor 60 meter hurdles in 2016, and was crowned SWAC Champion in the 400 meter hurdles in 2017, while qualifying for the NCAA West Regionals (2015-2017).
His other notable accolades include being named to the TSU Presidents List 2016-17, and 2017-18, the TSU Athletics Dean's Award 2016-17, and 2017-18 all while receiving the Highest GPA Award 2016-17, and 2017-18.
A complete listing of the award winners at the event can be found below.
SOCCER
Defensive Player of the Year: Brooke Ianiero
Offensive Player of the Year: Paige Hayward
Most Improved Player: Alexia Ladipo
Servant Leader: Briana Norwood
Highest GPA: Kayla Smith 3.69
All-SWAC 1st Team
Kayla Smith
Brianna Norwood
All-SWAC 2nd Team
Paige Hayward
Freshman of the Year
Tammy Syron
VOLLEYBALL
Tiger Strong Award- Erin Adams
Most Valuable Player Award- Kirby Anderson
On the Court In the Class Award- Nicole Robinson
Kill Maker Award- Alexis Austin
Highest GPA: Breyanna York 3.65
All SWAC 1st Team- Kirby Anderson
ALL SWAC 2nd Team- Asia Howard
All-Tournament Team- Cassidy Jannson, Kirby Anderson, and Alexis Austin
FOOTBALL
Defensive Player of the Year: Julian
Freshman of the Year: Jimmy White Jr.
Academic Excellence: Lathaniel Thompson
Highest GPA: Tracy Johnson (Graduate Student) 4.0
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Most Outstanding Performer: Jorge Martinez
Highest GPA: Jose Medina 3.85
All-SWAC 2nd Team - Jorge Martinez
MEN'S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Indoor Outstanding Performer- Jorge Martinez-
Outstanding Freshmen -Roman Turner
Outstanding Sophomore -Jodee Archer-Harvey
Outstanding Junior -Harvey Kendall
Outstanding Senior- Darius Briden
Highest GPA: Mykele Young- Sanders 3.82
Harvey Kendall and Jorge Martinez
MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
2017 Most Outstanding Thrower: Terrell Perry
2017 Most Outstanding Jumper: Harvey Kendall
2017 Most Outstanding Jumper: Tevin Kimble
2017 Most Outstanding Hurdler: Mykele Young-Sanders
Terrell Perry, Harvey Kendall, D'Andre Lewis, and Mykele Young Sanders
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Most Valuable Athlete – Decara Walters
Most Improved Athlete – LaNique Smith
Most Improved Athlete- Alayshia Jones
Highest GPA: Mariah Stewart 3.43
WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Most Outstanding Athlete- Zaidra James
Field Athlete Award – Quintella Johnson
Most Courageous Award- Mariah Stewart
Most Valuable Athlete – Alexis Gray
Highest GPA: Kiya Reeves 3.89
Alexis Grey, Quintella Johnson, Zaidra James, Dashavonta Kinney, Cydnee Bush, Ellena Torres, Christelle Nintcheu, and Kiya Reeves
WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
2017 Most Valuable Field Athlete- Miriam Pierre
2017 Most Valuable Track Athlete – Breana Dockery
2017 Most Improved Athlete Award – Dashavonta Kinney
2017 Most Improved Athlete Award - Shamiya Blake
2017 All-SWAC
Miriam Pierre, Breana Dockery, Alexis Grey, Nikole Haroon, Dashavonta Kinney, Kiya Reeves, Ellena Torres, Christelle Nincheu, Shamiya Blake, Breanca Woods, and Melissa Pena
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Leading Scorer in the SWAC – Donte Clark
Most Improved Player – Cainan McClelland
Highest GPA: Divonte Lumpkin 4.0
All-Tournament Team
Damontrae Jefferson SWAC Men's Tournament Most Valuable Player
All-Tournament Team Donte Clark
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Most Improved Tiger: Camille Mills
Most Outstanding Senior Award: Kaitlyn Palmer
Lady Tiger Spirit Award: Makenna Pouengue
Lady Tiger Award: Taylor Robinson
Highest GPA: Camille Mills 3.88
All-SWAC 1st Team - Joyce Kennerson SWAC Player of the Year
All-Tournament Team- Taylor Robinson
MEN'S GOLF
Leadership Award: Larry Balthazar
Spirit Award: Ross Lucas Elliott
Most Valuable Player: Tom McLaughlin
Tiger Award: Blake Lolato
Highest GPA: Ross Lucas Elliott 3.61
All-SWAC 1st Team - Tom McLaughlin
All-SWAC 2nd Team - Lucas Elliott
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Leadership Award: Amber Kuykendall
Spirit Award: August Garcia
Most Valuable Player: Amber Kuykendall
Lady Tiger Award: Destani Burbank
Highest GPA: Hillary Washington 3.83
All-SWAC 1st Team - Amber Kuykendall
All-SWAC 2nd Team - Hillary Washington
SOFTBALL
Co-Pitchers of the Year- Jasmine Fulmore and Lauren Rodriguez
Golden Shoes Award (Stolen Bases)- Terren Vinson
Lady Tiger Award (Best Attitude) - Marissa Padron
Highest GPA: Lauren Rodriguez 3.74
2017 Freshman of the Year
Madilynn Marek
2017 All-SWAC 1st Team
Jasmin Fulmore SWAC Pitcher of the Year Chanler Powell, Lauren Rodriguez, and Kelsey Riley
2017 All SWAC Tournament Team-Sierra Valdez, Jocilynn Ellis, Lauren Rodriguez, and Jasmine Fulmore
BASEBALL
Alexander Carillo - Jolly Rancher award
Cameron Dukes - Tiger award
Horace Leblanc - Leadership award
Eagle and Fountain Award- Robert Loza
Highest GPA: Guadencio Lucca 3.77
2017 All-SWAC 2nd Team - Olajide Oloruntimilehin
2017 All-Tournament Team- Christian Sanchez, Anthony Martinez, Michael Villanueva, Gaudencio Lucca
BOWLING
Most Valuable Bowler-Samantha Kriner
Most Improved-Brittany Torres
High Avg-Denisyha Waller
Highest GPA: Jessica Thoma 3.82
All-SWAC 1st Team - Denisyha Waller and Samantha Kriner
All-SWAC 2nd Team - Brittany Torres
SWAC All-Tournament Team- Samantha Kriner
SPORTS INFORMATION
Outstanding Service Award: Demetrius Howse
SPORTS MEDICINE
Highest GPA: Tronecia Washington 3.48
CHEERLEADERS
Certificate of Achievement Awards
Tyra Anderson
Janai Minga
Lexie Hardaway
Kennedy Torres
Jamia Smith
Cheyenne Rolison
Veonna Temple
Jasmine Stewart
Alexis Banger
Joshua Phillips
Jamal Shelton
Courtesy: TSU Athletics