June 10, 2022

2022 Eagle Awards Day One Announced

WILMORE, Ky.--- Asbury Athletics wrapped up the 2022 Eagle Awards with eleven more award winners announced today. Eight TeamAU student-athletes, a coach, graduate assistant, and eight teams were recognized today in these awards. The Asbury Athletics program officially completes a remarkable 2021-2022 season, which included their first year in provisional membership of the NCAA Division III. 

The Eagle Award- In 1992, the “Eagle Award” was introduced as a way of annually recognizing the individual, organization, company or group who has shown continuing and visible support for the athletic department. It is given with careful consideration to those who are dedicated to the development of character and excellence in young men and women through athletics. 

ASHLEY BYRD | Sports Information Graduate Assistant  / Gr. / MBA

Ashley Byrd has provided incredible value to the Asbury Athletics program since she set foot on campus. Ashley began her career at AU as a dominant women's lacrosse player, leading the Eagles in multiple seasons with her offensive strength. However, Ashley is receiving the 2022 Eagle Award due to her relentless effort and work on the sports information side of TeamAU.

Ashley stood in the gap for AU in the 2021-2022 season, leading the sports information department at AU for the entire season. Ashley was also a full-time student in the Asbury MBA program while she provided this work. Ashley's leadership skills, work ethic, and overall passion were on display in her final season as a graduate assistant for Asbury Athletics. 

Female Gamble/Walker Outstanding Senior Athlete Award - On behalf of Gamble and Walker, since 1973 an outstanding senior athlete award has been given based on overall leadership, spiritual leadership, overall athletic ability, lettered at least two years in a sport, including senior year.

GRACE TATRO | Lacrosse / Sr. / Adventure Leadership

Grace exemplifies the meaning of a servant leader. She’s the first on the field and one of the last off. She’s an incredible encourager and extremely honest. Grace was a person who had to help carry the lacrosse team some games this year- and she showed up and worked hard. “She’s a beast of an athlete with an incredible work ethic but also, as an incredible student. She’s one of a kind and we will miss her greatly next year", said head coach Nicki Stewart.

Male Gamble/Walker Outstanding Senior Athlete Award  - On behalf of Gamble and Walker, since 1973 an outstanding senior athlete award has been given based on overall leadership, spiritual leadership, overall athletic ability, lettered at least two years in a sport, including senior year.

KAIDEN ZACHARIAS | Baseball / Sr. / Exercise Science

Kaiden was a 2022 First Team NCCAA All-American. Kaiden was also recently awarded as the Hank Burbridge Award recipient which is the NCCAA’s top baseball Christian character award in the country (see Link for details). He was elected as team captain by his teammates and coaches and was considered a leader on and off the field. Kaiden was also selected as first team NCCAA All-Region as well as All-Region gold glove recipient.

During the ’22 season Zacharias had a career best in batting average (.307), hits (46), runs (43), doubles (10), home runs (9), RBI’s (38), total bases (87), Slugging percentage (.580), on base percentage (.447), walks (36), stolen bases (13-14), and multi-hit games (13). “He was a top contributor to our team’s success on the field evidenced by finishing top 5 on the team in the following categories: batting average, walks (led team), slugging percentage, runs, hits, RBI’s, stolen bases, doubles, triples, home runs, at bats, total bases, multi-hit games, and total games played in”, said head coach Manny Cervantes. “More importantly, Kaiden graduated with bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Sports Management earning a 3.43 cumulative GPA.”

Female Stuart Smith Award - The Stuart Smith Award is given to the student-athlete who best demonstrates hard work and Christian leadership. 

ASHLEY MILLER | Women's Soccer / Sr. / Elementary Ed.

Ashley has been an amazing teammate and player for the Asbury Women's Soccer program. She has been a captain for 3 years and is an education major. “Ashley is hands-down, one of the hardest workers on our team and holds the team together in tough games”, said head coach Elyse Overton. She leads a portion of the women's soccer team Bible studies and pregame devotions, also often leading the team prayer before and after games and practices.

Male Stuart Smith Award - The Stuart Smith Award is given to the student-athlete who best demonstrates hard work and Christian leadership. 

JASON LAW | Men's Basketball / Jr. / Health & Physical Ed.

Jason has been called the  “ultimate teammate” by his head coach Will Shouse. “The relationships Jason has created with the coaching staff, team, trainers, etc. are what sets him apart”, said Shouse. Jason provides tremendous impact on his team through his attitude in the locker room, the dorms, and overall the love for his team he continually brings to the table. Asbury Men's Basketball is blessed and thankful to have a student-athlete like Jason Law on the team. 

Eric Liddell Award - Given annually to an Asbury University Intercollegiate Coach or Administrator that exemplifies the servant leadership and Christian character modeled by former Olympic Champion and world-renowned missionary Eric Liddell. 

MEGAN CURRY | Head Softball Coach

Coach Curry embodies the essence of this award in her servant leadership of the softball team and passion for impacting student-athletes. Coach Curry just completed her second season at AU and has used her leadership skills to grow and develop AU Softball. 

“We are blessed to have committed Christian coaches at Asbury”, said VP of Intercollegiate Athletics Mark Whitworth. “This award could have been received by several members of our coaching staff, but this year Coach Curry went above and beyond in caring for her student-athletes. we are grateful to have her on TeamAU.”

Co-Molly Harlin Servant Leader Award - A leadership award given in memory of Molly Harlin that exemplifies servant leadership.

TAYLOR ENLOW | Softball / Soph. / Social Work

Taylor not only led the AU softball team statistically but most importantly, she is a servant leader. “She is the first to practice and the last to leave”, said head coach Megan Curry. "She chooses to pick up equipment and help others with their duties if they cannot do so themselves". 

Taylor is a great example of what it looks like to put others first so the overall team can get better. She understands that putting others first is what our duty is as Christians and uses this as one of her gifts. Taylor is an outstanding softball player, but these strong character qualities are what makes her a great person.

OLIVIA RUCKRIEGEL | Women's Soccer / Sr. / Youth Ministry

Olivia is someone who puts everyone else before her and would give anyone the help they need. Her presence on the women's soccer team will be greatly missed. “Rucky has such a servant's heart and is always looking for ways to help and encourage others”, said head coach Elyse Overton. “Her love of people and Jesus radiates for all to see. To know her is to love her! We can't wait to see her impact the world for Christ!”

Rita Pritchett Award - Highest GPA for graduating Asbury female student-athlete.

ALLIE SUTTON | Women's Tennis / Sr. / Media Communication

Allie has been a key asset for the women's tennis team in her time at AU, leading vocally and through example. Allie has studied media communication in her timed at AU and has thrived in this school. Her hard work and discipline have paid off for her to receive this award. 

“From the moment Allie stepped on Asbury's campus she has always thrived in her academics”, said head coach Jarred Miller. "She has accomplished incredible things in her field of broadcast journalism including statewide awards, working for the Olympics in both Tokyo and Beijing, while all along dedicating much of her time at Asbury to being an anchor for the campus news broadcast. We have been so thrilled to have her on our team for these four years and are excited to see the things she accomplishes in her next steps"

Rita Pritchett Award - Highest GPA for graduating Asbury male student-athlete.

DALLAS KASTENS | Men's Cross Country / Sr. / Political Science

Dallas served as an RA for two years and as a Student Representative for "Because I Care" which encourages political participation on Christian college campuses. 

Women's Scholar Team of the Year - Women's Team with the highest GPA for the 2021-2022 academic year.

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

Men's Scholar Team of the Year - Men's Team with the highest GPA for the 2021-2022 academic year.

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY