Appalachian State University held the 2015-16 Appspy’s all-sports banquet on Monday evening at the Schaefer Center by giving out dozens of awards to its student-athletes and support staff.
The end of-year awards ceremony is organized by Appalachian State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s board members, in conjunction with the Former Athletes Association, to recognize the accomplishments of Appalachian’s coaches, student-athletes, teams, and support staff. This year’s banquet was hosted by men’s soccer’s Jordan Melia (Bolton, England/Rivington & Blackrod) and Women’s tennis’ Mackenzie LaSure (Asheville, N.C./Asheville).
App State men’s soccer goalkeeper Paul West earned the prestigious Brakefield Award, given to the graduating student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average for the December graduating class. The award was established by legendary Appalachian football coach Jim Brakefield and his wife, Eloise. A scholarship fund continues in their names through the former student-athletes who played for Coach Brakefield along with the friends of the Brakefield family.
Jake Chasteen (Blowing Rock, N.C./Watauga) of men’s soccer was awarded the Rick Edmundson Memorial Scholarship which is awarded annually to a native of North Carolina who is not on athletic scholarship, but one who has made uncommon contributions to the athletic program and to the University. A 1981 graduate of Appalachian State University, Edmundson was devoted to the institution and especially to athletic programs. At the time of his death, Edmundson was enrolled in Campbell University’s Law School. The Rick Edmundson Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1984 by his family and friends.
App State Athletics SWA Debbie Richardson received the Jackson A. Branch Award, created to honor Branch’s many years of unselfish service and support to Mountaineer student-athletes and teams.
Women’s soccer’s Sarah Peatross (Winston-Salem, N.C./Mount Tabor) was awarded the Goodyear Family Athletic Scholarship. Established in 1994 by George and Anne Goodyear, the scholarship is awarded to a rising junior with a minimum 2.0 GPA who demonstrates strength of character in all that he or she does.
Softball’s Pepper Butler (Delray Beach, Fla./Boca Raton Community) took home the Mountaineer Courage Award for overcoming adversity for continuing to be a key component of the App State softball team despite losing both her parents to cancer in 2016. Butler was also awarded the Softball MVP award.
2016 APPSPYS Award List
Best Team Performance: Women’s Indoor Track and Field winning the Sun Belt Championship
Best Individual Performance: Ronald Blair, Football
Best Moment: Football winning 2015 Raycom Camellia Bowl
Best Seasons: Football, Wrestling, Volleyball, Women’s Indoor Track and Field
Best Coach: JohnMark Bentley, Wrestling
Best Athletic Trainer: Claire Davis, Women’s Basketball/Men’s and Women’s Tennis
Breakthrough Athlete: Jess Keller, Ian Bennett, Ryan Hastings, Ronshod Shabazz, Darlene Girardeau, and Oliver Casey
App Fan of the Year: Mieszko Kwiatkowski
All for App: Michael Obacha, Men’s Basketball
Strength Coach of the Year: Yolanda Berryhill
Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Tristan Van Ord, Women’s Track and Field
Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Denzel Dejournette, Wrestling
Ironeers Top Female Team: Women’s Soccer
Ironeers Top Male Team: Baseball
King of the Rock: Henry Davis, Baseball
Queen of the Rock: Bria Carter, Women’s Basketball
Special Award Winners
Brakefield Award: Paul West, Men’s Soccer
Goodyear Family Athletic Scholarship: Sarah Peatross, Women’s Soccer
Jack Branch Award: Debbie Richardson
Laps for Apps Award: Thomas Hodges, men’s golf
Rick Edmunson Memorial Scholarship: Jake Chasteen, Men’s Soccer
Ron “Doc” Kanoy Award: Anna Bishop, athletic trainer
Team Academic Excellent: Volleyball
Mountaineer Moves Community Service Award: Softball
Mountaineer Courage Award: Pepper Butler
Team MVPs
Baseball- Brian Bauk
Women’s Basketball- Madi Story
Men’s basketball- Frank Eaves
Cheerleading- Leah Clayton
Women’s Cross Country- Tristin Van Ord
Men’s Cross Country- Michael Ellis
Football- Ronald Blair
Field Hockey- Caroline Phillips
Women’s Soccer- Lindsey Tully
Men’s Soccer- Mason McCarter
Softball- Pepper Butler
Women’s Tennis- Melissa Machado
Men’s Tennis- Oliver Casey
Women’s Indoor Track and Field- Tristin Van Ord
Men’s Indoor Track and Field- Ryan Hastings
Women’s Outdoor Track and Field- Darlene Girardeau
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field- Stanley Broaden
Wrestling- Denzel Dejournette
Volleyball- Paige Brown
Men’s and Women’s Golf will be announced at a later date**
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