June 19, 2023

2023 Eagle Awards Nominees Announced

WILMORE, Ky.--- Asbury University Athletics announced on June 19th the 2023 Eagle Awards nominees. A total of 44 AU student-athletes were nominated for their athletic and academic performances, as well as their strong character on and off the field. 

16 Eagles will be awarded as winners on TeamAU social media platforms and asburyeagles.com June 20-21. Below are the nominated student-athletes with the awards they were nominated for. 

These nominees represent the mission of Asbury Athletics to serve, train, and compete in a way that gives glory to God. 

Congratulations to all 2023 Eagle Awards Nominees! Asbury Athletics is proud of your actions in the classroom and field of competition that has led to this honor. 

Male Athlete of the Year

• Nick Fort / Men's Basketball / Gr. / MBA
• Will Durrance / Men's Cross Country / So. / Exercise Science
• Ethan Cartwright / Baseball / Jr. / Business Administration
• Ian Wang / Men's Swimming / Jr. / Media Communications

Female Athlete of the Year

• Carolina Trumpower / Women's Cross Country / Sr. / English
• Taylor Enlow / Softball / Jr. / Social Work
• Jaclynn Ruble / Women's Basketball / Sr. / Exercise Science
• Amber Schulte / Women's Swimming / Jr. / Psychology

Men's Comeback Player of the Year

• Yannick Landwehr / Men's Soccer / Sr. / Exercise Science
• Daniel Vega / Men's Swimming / Fr. / Exercise Science/Kinesiology

Women's Comeback Player of the Year

• Emily Poll / Women's Swimming / Jr. / Business Administration
• Cheyenne Fullwood / Women's Basketball / Sr. / Exercise Science

Men's Newcomer of the Year

• João Costa / Men's Golf / Fr. / Business Administration
• Will Durrance / Men's Cross Country / So. / Exercise Science
• Caleb Wallis / Men's Basketball / Jr. / Business Administration
• Brody Bearden / Baseball / Fr. / Biology
• Braden Vincent / Men's Swimming / Fr. / Business Administration
• Andrew Billington / Baseball / Fr. / Undecided

Women's Newcomer of the Year

• Ava Miller / Women's Cross Country / Fr. / Elementary Education
• Josie Deatherage / Softball / So. / Intercultural Studies
• Riley McChord / Volleyball / Fr.
• Emme Johnson / Women's Swimming / Fr. / Exercise Science

Men's Team of the Year

• Men's Basketball
• Men's Cross Country

Women's Team of the Year

• Women's Basketball
• Women's Cross Country

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, and overall athletic ability, lettered at least two years in a sport, including senior year.

Male Nominees

• Nick Fort / Men's Basketball / Gr. / MBA
• Tommy Johnson / Men's Swimming / Sr. / Exercise Science

Female Nominees

• Abby Fletcher / Softball / Sr. / Biology
• Carolina Trumpower / Women's Cross Country / Sr. / English
• Jaclynn Ruble / Women's Basketball / Sr. / Exercise Science
• Lillie Lewis / Women's Swimming / Sr. / Biochemistry

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

Male Nominees

• Clayton Winter / Men's Basketball / So. / Health and PE
• David Savastio / Baseball / Sr. / Social Studies Education
• Nick Garnett / Men's Swimming / Sr. / Sports Management

Female Nominees

• Olivia Judy / Softball / Sr. / Social Work
• Abby Beers / Women's Swimming / Sr. / Media Communications

Frank B. and Lucille Fryman Award- This is an award for student-athletes that honors former staff members Frank and Lucille Fryman. Both gave loving service to Asbury University for several years. Mr. Fryman worked in the physical plant and Mrs. Fryman worked in the college bookstore. Their son, Bill, is a graduate of Asbury University and the father of Travis Fryman who played professionally for the Cleveland Indians.This award is for demonstrated excellence as a varsity student-athlete, for strong Christian witness and demonstrated attitude of service, and demonstrated potential for leadership. It is open to all academically eligible student-athletes.

Male Nominees

• Dakota Walden / Men's Basketball / Sr. / Business Administration
• Trent Holladay / Men's Swimming / Sr. / Psychology

Female Nominees

• Kaylee Strunk / Softball / So. / Biology
• Celia Pelfery / Women's Basketball / Jr. / Business Administration
• Genevieve Hill / Women's Soccer / Jr. / English Education
• Izzy Miller / Women's Swimming / Sr. / Business Administration

Cecil C. Zweifel Award - Initiated in 1996, this award honors Cecil C. Zweifel who developed the major in health, physical education and recreation; was the catalyst for the initiation of the athletic program; holds the record for wins in collegiate soccer in the state of Kentucky; was primarily responsible for the raising of the funds for the Luce Center; and inspired all of us with his witness for Christ. This award is presented annually to student-athletes with a minimum GPA of 3.00 who have made significant contributions to their team.

Male Nominees

• John Shoulders / Men's Basketball / Sr. / Business Administration
• Noah Brown / Baseball / Sr. / Communications
• Daniel Shelton / Men's Soccer / Sr. / Exercise Science
• Elijah O'Connor / Men's Swimming / Sr. / Biology Education

Female Nominees

• Taylor Sanders / Softball / So. / Exercise Science
• Maliya Crump / Women's Soccer / So. / Media Communications
• Alivia Williams / Women's Swimming / So. / Biology - Pre Nursing

Eric Liddell Award - This award is presented to a student-athlete that honors the pursuit of excellence and Christian leadership of Eric Liddell.

Nominees

• David Savastio / Baseball / Sr. / Social Studies Education
• Alex Carpenter / Men's Basketball / Jr. / Exercise Science

Molly Harlin Servant Leadership Award - A leadership award given in memory of Molly Harlin that exemplifies servant leadership. This can be given to any student-athlete or coach.

Nominees

• Jarrin Taul / Men's Basketball Assistant Coach
• Elijah O'Connor / Men's Swimming / Sr. / Biology Education
• Celia Pelfery / Women's Basketball / Jr. / Business Administration
• Olivia Palasek / Softball / Sr. / Political Science