SPC Honors Athletes at Banquet

South Plains College student-athletes were honored at the annual All-Sports Banquet Monday. This year, the athletic department hosted a "Champions Barbecue" and the event was held outdoors. The banquet included a BBQ dinner and the presentation of awards to athletes, managers, trainers and cheerleaders.

In cross country, the Lady Texan MVP award went to Lilian Badaru, while the Texan MVP award went to Fred Samoei. The Lady Texan Newcomer MVP was Crystal Dickinson, while the Texan Newcomer MVP was Javier Perez.

In women's basketball, the MVP award went to Brittany Blackmon, the Team Player award went to Ashley Frazier, the Most Improved award went to Chasity Workman and the Hustle award went to Rachel Gray.

In men's basketball, the MVP award went to Jonathan Hall, the Outstanding Offensive Player award went to Nick Okorie and Luciano de Souza, the Outstanding Defensive Player award went to Kendrick Johnson and the Inspirational Player award went to David Tairu.

In rodeo, the Outstanding Cowboy was Cody Jordan, while the Outstanding Cowgirl was Cassie Vierstra.

In men's track and field, the Field MVP award went to Darrell Roddick, the Track MVP award went to Bryce Brown, the Field Newcomer MVP award went to Thaddeus Gordon, the Track Newcomer MVP went to Renny Quow, and the Most Improved award went to Kendrick Poullard.

In women's track and field, the Field MVP award went to Asiya Iskakova, the Track MVP award went to Karen Thomas and Stephanie Simpson, the Field Newcomer MVP award went to Melinda Bendik and the Most Improved award went to Shatoya Brown.

Several athletes were also honored for their work in the classroom with the Glen C. Jones Memorial Award For Academic Excellence (for male athletes) and the Kathleen Truelock Memorial Award For Academic Excellence (for female athletes). Winners of the awards went to Luciano de Souza (men's basketball), Mike Charles (men's track), Skyler Smith (managers/trainers), Stewart Kinley (men's rodeo), Mariame Djouara (women's basketball), Asiya Iskakova (women's track), Brandy Sladen (women's rodeo) and Abilou Kirk (cheerleading). Kinley and Sladen received scholarships for having the highest overall grade point averages.

Two men instrumental in the success and support of SPC athletics were officially inducted into the Texan Club Hall of Fame. The late Warren Tabor was one of the original founders of the Texan Club and served as the Vice-President in 1968, the first year of the organization. Gene Rush was one of the original Texan Club board members when the organization was started in 1968.