General 5/15/2017 9:42:00 AM

Millikin University Athletics Holds Year End Awards Ceremony

DECATUR, Illinois—The Millikin University Athletic Department held its Third Annual Big Blue Student-Athlete Awards Ceremony on May 14 at the Griswold Center in Decatur, Illinois.
          The event featured a cookout for all student-athletes and a ceremony were several individual and team awards were presented. A male and female honoree were selected in each category.
          The first award presented was the Big Blue Award for an athlete that gives full effort in practice and competition and goes above and beyond for their teammates.
The Male Award winner was senior track and field athlete Vesper Young (Bellwood, Providence St. Mel H.S.) with the Female Award going to junior softball player Brooke Heimerl (Orland Park, Carl Sandburg H.S.).
          The Comeback Award was presented to a student-athlete who has worked diligently to return from an injury. The Male Award was presented to junior men's tennis player Tom Emola (Frankfort, Lincoln Way East H.S.). The Female Comeback Award was presented to senior softball player Nicole Koch (Morton, H.S.).
          The Leadership Award was presented to a student-athlete that demonstrates the best leadership qualities in all scenarios for their team. The Leadership Award winners were senior cross country and track and field athlete Timee McElroy (Mt. Zion, H.S.) and senior women's basketball player Rachael Weber (Bloomington, Normal West H.S.).
          The Newcomer of the Year Award was presented to the most outstanding first year varsity male and female student-athletes. There was a three-way time for the male award with sophomore transfer Gerald Perry (Memphis, Tennessee, Whitehaven H.S.), freshman wrestler Randle Taborn (Springfield, H.S.) and freshman men's tennis player Jacob Palley (River Forest, Oak Park & River Forest H.S.) sharing the award. The female Newcomer of the Year was presented to freshman softball player Kalli Farmer (Columbia, H.S.).
          Twenty-five student athletes were recognized for being two-sport athletes with sophomore men's soccer and track athlete Christian Zenon (Lafayette, Louisiana, Lafayette Christian H.S.) and junior swimmer and track and field athlete Sami Battle (Odell, Pontiac H.S.) being named the Two-Sport Athletes of the Year.
          The final individual award was the Student-Athlete of the Year for the most outstanding male and female student-athletes of year. Criteria for the award included athletic prowess, academic achievement, and any contributions to the success of their team and Millikin at large. The Male Student-Athlete of the Year was senior track athlete Jacob Segrest (Brighton, Southwestern H.S.). Segrest was the 2017 CCIW Indoor and Outdoor Champion in the Long Jump. He also ran a leg on the Big Blue's 4x100 Relay team that won at the CCIW Championships and set a new school record. Segrest was an All-American in the Long Jump at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. The Female Student-Athlete of the Year was senior volleyball player Cassidy Kingery (Heyworth, H.S.). Kingery was the 2016 CCIW Volleyball Player of the Year helping the Big Blue advance to the NCAA Sweet 16.
          The Millikin men's tennis and women's cross country teams were recognized for having the highest team grade point averages.
          The men's tennis team's win over regionally ranked Carthage College won the award for Best Upset for men's teams. The softball team's turn around season that ended with a CCIW Regular Season Championship was the Best Upset winner on the female side.
          The men's baseball team's doubleheader sweep at Illinois Wesleyan and the women's volleyball win over sixth ranked Wittenberg in the NCAA Tournament received the Best Moment Award.
          The Big Blue Team Award was present to the team that best represents Millikin University and the Athletic Department in our mission, values, and overall "Spirit of Big Blue" impact on campus and in the community. The baseball team, men's soccer team, and the women's softball team were the winners of the Big Blue Award.
          Men's tennis and volleyball team earned the Most Successful Team Award for 2016-17.
          Student-athletes that won sports specific awards during their seasons were recognized. Forty-three athletes earned CCIW All-Conference honors this season. Three Millikin athletes were named All-Region in their sport with wrestler Chris Williams (Bethalto, Civic Memorial H.S.) and track athlete Jacob Segrest earning All-American honors.
          Millikin student-athletes that set new Big Blue school records were highlighted with 26 new records being tied or set.
          Millikin student-athletes that won College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin leadership and academic honors were recognized. Freshman football player Matt Brown (Champaign, Central H.S.) and junior softball player Cathy Lebryk (Munster, Indiana, H.S.) were honored for winning the CCIW Merle Chapman Award.
          One hundred and thirty-two student athletes were honored for earning CCIW Academic All-Conference honors by lettering in a varsity sport and maintaining a 3.30 cumulative grade point average.
          Twenty Millikin student-athletes were recognized for having a perfect 4.0 semester grade point average.
          Four Millikin coaches were recognized for earning Coaching Awards in 2016-17. Volleyball Coach Debbie Kiick and Director of Tennis Dustin Forman were named CCIW Coach of the Year and Head Softball Coach Katie Tenboer and Assistant Coach Whitney Sowers were named CCIW Softball Staff of the Year.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Cassidy Kingery: OH/DS; 5' 8"; Senior

#10 Rachael Weber: G; 5' 5"; Senior

Chris Williams: Sophomore; 133

Jacob Palley: Freshman

Timee McElroy: Senior; Distance

Jacob Segrest: Senior; Sprints/Jumps

Christian Zenon: Sophomore; Sprints

Sami Battle: Junior; Jumps

Randle Taborn: Freshman; 149

#13 Brooke Heimerl: IF; 5' 2"; Junior; R/R

#2 Nicole Koch: P, OF; 5' 6"; Senior; R/R

#8 Cathy Lebryk: P; 5' 7"; Junior; L/L

Players Mentioned

#1 Cassidy Kingery
: 5' 8"; Senior
: OH/DS

#10 Rachael Weber
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

Chris Williams
: Sophomore; 133

Jacob Palley
: Freshman

Timee McElroy
: Senior; Distance

Jacob Segrest
: Senior; Sprints/Jumps

Christian Zenon
: Sophomore; Sprints

Sami Battle
: Junior; Jumps

Randle Taborn
: Freshman; 149

#13 Brooke Heimerl
: 5' 2"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#2 Nicole Koch
: 5' 6"; Senior; R/R
: P, OF

#8 Cathy Lebryk
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/L
: P