LEVELLAND, Texas - The South Plains College athletic department held their annual Sports Awards Picnic Monday night to honor and recognize the student-athletes for their hard work on the field and in the classroom.

After a prayer to begin the evening by SPC President Dr. Kelvin Sharp, South Plains College Director of Athletics Joe Tubb thanked everyone for their attendance as well as the coaches and athletes for another great year.

Linda McCulloch, who oversees the cheer squad, bragged on her student-athletes and informed the public that they do so much more than cheer at basketball games.

"These girls serve as ambassadors to South Plains College as they sell t-shirts at UIL high school events as well as judge tryouts at several of the local high schools, and they do so with a smile."

McCulloch then honored Sha'letha Alexander with the Spectacular Toe Touch Award.

Rodeo coach Josh Crow stepped to the microphone and thanked his athletes for working hard all season long. Crow, whose Lady Texan team recently slipped from second to third place in the Southwest region standings, said he could not be more proud of the work his cowboys and cowgirls put into the season and he handed out five awards reflecting their achievements.

Ben Ramey, who will be representing the Texans at the College National Final Rodeo in June after finishing third in the Southwest region in steer wrestling was named the Outstanding Cowboy for the season. Brittany Bell shared the honor of Outstanding Cowgirl with Carley Richardson.

Clara McBane and Mr. Bob Sparkman were named Helpful Hands for their extraordinary work ethic during the season.

Track and Field/Cross Country coach Chris Beene has the largest group of student-athletes on campus and presented 10 awards to his group. He began by naming Lisa Forsberg and Anthony Pequeno as the Most Valuable performers of the Lady Texan and Texan Cross Country teams. The cross country teams capped successful seasons in November when the Lady Texans finished third and the Texans fourth at the NJCAA championships in Peoria, Illinois. The following week the Texans claimed a NJCAA championship in the half-marathon.

The track teams are nearing the end of their season and will look to repeat as men's and women's champions when they travel to Hutchinson, Kansas May 20-22. Beene feels his teams will be the favorites to win both.

Freshman Jura Levy and Janelle Redhead have rewritten the record books this season and shared the honor of Most Valuable Performers on the track, while Colleen Felix was named MVP in the field. The Most Improved Lady Texan is Nicquel Thomas.

On the men's side, 400 meter runners Anton Kokorin and Rondell Bartholomew shared the honor of track MVP and Dellon Williams was named MVP in the field. Daniel Rodriguez was named Most Improved.

After a season record of 20 wins and 10 losses and a fourth trip to the Region 5 championship game in five years, Lady Texan basketball head coach Michelle Wyatt honored Sajoyia Griffin as the MVP of the team. Griffin recently announced her intention to play basketball next year for San Diego State.

Sophomore Christen McLee took the Fighting Heart award, while Kelsey Canavan and Toi'Easha Cooper were named Best Rebounder and Most Improved, respectively.

Myles Walker earned the distinction of MVP of the Texan basketball squad as head coach Steve Green described him as a ‘big man who never gets tired.'

The Offensive Player of the Year award went to Bo Ingram, while Tramar Sutherland earned the Hustle award.

Athletic Director Joe Tubb, who always emphasizes the word student when talking about student-athletes, returned to the podium to introduce the athletes with the highest GPA from each sport. The athlete with the highest overall GPA is awarded with a plaque and scholarship in the name of Glen C. Jones for the men and Kathleen Truelock for the women.

Tally Owens (rodeo), Christen McLee (basketball), Lauren Pruitt (cheerleading) and Kelsey Wilson (track) each led their sports with Wilson earning the overall distinction with the highest GPA.

Ben Ramey (rodeo) edged out Tramar Sutherland (basketball) and Daniel Rodriguez (track) for the overall Glen C. Jones award.

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