June 21, 2023

Asbury Announces Day Two of 2023 Eagle Awards Winners

WILMORE, Ky.---  Asbury Athletics announced day two of the 2023 Eagle Awards winners on #TeamAU social media platforms and asburyeagles.com on June 21. Eight TeamAU student-athletes and coaches including five teams were honored in the awards, highlighting student-athletes that embody the AU mission to use college athletics to serve, train, and compete in a way that gives glory to God. 

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

Visit student-athlete and staff bios for more information. Thank you to all of our fans and supporters for following TeamAU all season long!

Women's Gamble/Walker Outstanding Senior Athlete

Jaclynn Ruble / Women's Basketball / Sr. / Exercise Science

Stats/Details:

Awards | Entered Asbury 1,000 Point Club, NCCAA Second Team All-Mideast Region, NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, Asbury Scholar-Athlete, Lexington Clinic Athlete of the Week

Led Asbury in three's with 45 and tied Trinity Shearer for leading the team in assists with 90 (325 in four seasons). Finished eighth in the NCCAA in Assist/Turnover Ratio at 1.9. Averaged 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists (21st in the NCCAA), and 2.1 steals per game. Grabbed 118 total rebounds and 58 steals (both third on the team). Tied Shearer in team-high free-throws made at 75. Scored a career-high 27 points with four three's and 10 rebounds on February 8, 2023 against CU-Harrodsburg. Tied a career-high in assists with nine on February 4, 2023 against Warren Wilson. Tallied six games with double-digit threes and five games with 20 points or more.

Men's Gamble/Walker Outstanding Senior Athlete

Tommy Johnson / Men's Swimming / Sr. / Exercise Science

Stats/Details:

Awards | Asbury Scholar-Athlete, Asbury Honor Roll, Liberal Arts All-Championship Team (200 Fly, 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay, 400 Medley Relay)

Tommy is an outstanding senior who has made huge contributions to the men’s and women’s swimming teams as well as in his major of Exercise Science. He is on the Asbury Car Town Kia Honor Roll and is an Asbury Scholar-Athlete. He produced six first-place finishes on the season and was a conference champion in the 400 Medley and 200 Butterfly. 

Tommy served as a captain of the men’s swimming team and has demonstrated hard work, time management, and servant leadership throughout his time at Asbury. 

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

Jarrin Taul / Men's Basketball Assistant Coach

“Coach Taul’s deliberate training with our guards has been instrumental in our past three successful seasons”, said Asbury men's basketball head coach Will Shouse. “He has integrated himself into the community and is a loved member of our team.”

Coach Taul recently finished his third season on the Asbury men's basketball coaching staff, seeing an impressive 52 wins for AU in his short time with the program. Taul brings effective experience through a college basketball playing career at Wilmington College and coaching experience from TNG Prep, Believe Prep, and Rio Grande University. He is consistently making time for players with one-on-one intentional development, showing his commitment to the success of student-athletes and Asbury men's basketball. 

“Coach Taul is a committed professional who invests in our players both on and off the court”, said Asbury men's basketball associate head coach Russ Abner. "He leads our skill development program and lives by his motto, "the work is the work". He spends many hours working with our team to improve their individual game, working with them on the court and in the film room. Coach Taul leaves his job as a substitute teacher to come to the gym for workouts and practices, as well as spending time on the road recruiting for our program. His smile and laugh are infectious, and our players love him! He is determined to make a difference in everyone's lives and is always rooting for others to succeed."

Women's Stuart Smith Award

Olivia Judy / Softball / Sr. / Social Work

Stats/Details:

Awards | NCCAA Mideast All-Region Team

"Olivia has been an incredibly strong Christian leader for our program", said Asbury softball head coach Ally Moore. "She is always looking for ways for our team to be involved in the Church and the community. Olivia helped arrange team church, team meal packing, encouraged the team to attend the outpouring that happened this year, and has spoken to the local schools about the impact Christ has had on her life. She is directly involved with Southland Church and has led retreats and volunteer activities throughout the year. She is an amazing young woman.

Men's Stuart Smith Award

David Savastio / Baseball / Sr. / Social Studies Education

Stats/Details:

Awards | Asbury Scholar-Athlete

“David Savastio embodies the vision of Asbury University Athletics to use the platform of college athletics to share the light of Christ and compete for His glory”, said Asbury baseball head coach Manny Cervantes. “David has exemplified a servant-leader by leading his team in Bible study for three years. He embodies training by his work in the classroom and continual improvement on the baseball field. Finally, David represents competing as he struck out 22 hitters in 34.2 innings during the 2023 season.”

Women's 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.

Celia Pelfrey / Women's Basketball / Jr. / Business Administration

“Celia is such an amazing person. She exemplifies what it means to be a woman who leads in her Christian life and also in her athletic career”, said head women's basketball coach Chad Mayes. "Coming off a season cut short by an injury, Celia remained a vital part of our team’s success by leading off the floor and making sure she was always available to interact with her teammates and others at the university."

Men's 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.

Dakota Walden / Men's Basketball / Sr. / Business Administration

Awards | NCCAA All-Mideast Region 2nd Team, NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, Asbury Honor Roll

“Dakota has always been a vocal leader on our team, offering both positive perspective and reinforcement as well as unity when it is needed the most”, said men's basketball associate head coach Russ Abner.

On the court, Dakota was named to the NCCAA All-Mideast Region 2nd Team. Dakota also demonstrates great character and work ethic off the court, earning NCCAA Scholar-Athlete recognition this season, and just recently, he completed a mission trip in Puerto Rico with the Lync 8 Project.

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

Alex Carpenter / Men's Basketball / Jr. / Exercise Science

Awards | NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, Asbury Scholar-Athlete

“Alex has set the bar high with his incredible work ethic on and off the court”, said Asbury men's basketball head coach Will Shouse. “His faith, persistence, and unselfishness are traits that our team benefits from greatly.”

Alex is an Exercise Science major from Lawrenceburg, Ky., with multiple scholar awards from this season. His attitude and effort are never questioned from his teammates and coaching staff as he has earned trust and respect from his team. Alex receives the Eric Liddell award based on his pursuit of excellence, committed faith, and selfless care for others. His favorite verse is Psalms 62:7, “On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock my refuge is God.”