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HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University Department of Athletics held its annual CHAMPS (Celebrating Hampton Athletes Meeting Prestigious Success) banquet at the Convocation Center on Tuesday evening, honoring the standouts from the 2017-18 academic year.
Seniors Maximilian Kuester and Meshala Morton were recognized as the Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Seniors Mariam Mitaishvili of the women's tennis team and Stanley Davis of men's track and field took home the Academic Awards. It is the second-straight year that Davis has earned the Male Academic Award.
Kuester, a skipper and team captain of the sailing team, led the Pirates to two victories this year, coming at the Teach Memorial and the Luce Regatta. The sailing team has finished in the top five in four other events. Kuester became the first Pirate sailor under head coach Alessandro Ambrosi to earn 100 collegiate victories when he captured a win in St. Petersburg, Fla. on March 4. Kuester is from Milan, Italy.
Morton, a sprinter on the track and field team, has competed in the 100m and 200m in addition to multiple relays in the outdoor season, while racing the 60m and 200m, as well as relays, in the indoor campaign. She currently ranks eighth outdoors in the MEAC with a time of 11.75 in the 100m, as well as 12th in the 200m with a 24.20. This came on the heels of a 7.44 60m dash that ranked her third in the indoor season. Morton is a native of Stafford, Va.
Mitaishvili performed admirably for the tennis team this season, spending time at the No. 1 spot in MEAC play, where she went 2-1 to help the Pirates to a perfect 5-0 mark in league action. She is from Tbilisi, Georgia.
Davis competed in the 800m and 400m hurdles outdoor in addition to relays. He was also tasked with the 800m and the mile, along with distance relays in the indoor campaign. He ranks third outdoors in the MEAC in the 400m hurdles with a time of 51.79, in addition to 11th in the 800m after breaking the tape in 1:53.52. Davis is a native of Glen Allen, Va.
For more information on Hampton University athletics, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
Below is a list of the award winners on the night – by sport.
Men's Golf
MVP – Alexander Rivera
Most Improved – Arriek Douglas
Women's Golf
MVP – Jakari Harris
Most Improved – Lizabeth Randles
Indoor Track – Men
MVP – Emmanuel Too
Most Improved – Justin Beatty
Indoor Track – Women
MVP – Janet Okeago
Outstanding Freshman – Eusila Chepkemei
Outdoor Track – Men
MVP – Wesley Kirui
Most Improved – Brenen Garrett
Outdoor Track – Women
Outstanding Freshman – Eusila Chepkemei
Cross Country – Men
MVP – Emmanuel Too
Most Improved – Tayvon Burris
Cross Country - Women
MVP – Faith Keitany
Outstanding Freshman – Eusila Chepkemei
Men's Basketball
MVP – Jermaine Marrow
Most Improved – Akim Mitchell
Defensive MVP – Trevond Barnes
Offensive MVP – Kalin Fisher
Outstanding Newcomer – Gregory Heckstall
Women's Basketball
Most Outstanding Player – Ashley Bates, Jephany Brown, Mikayla Sayle, Monnazjea Finney-Smith
Highest GPA – Monnazjea Finney-Smith
Volleyball
MVP – Reena Richardson
Most Improved – Erin Napoleon
Outstanding Freshman – Lena Reed-Petracek
Men's Tennis
MVP – Matthew Foster-Estwick
Most Improved – Basil Post
Outstanding Freshman – Davy Van Geerke
Women's Tennis
MVP – Yulia Kapitanova
Most Improved – Julia D'Auvergne
Outstanding Freshman – Yulia Kapitanova
Football
Offensive MVP – Yahkee Johnson
Defensive MVP – Steven Smith, Jr.
Outstanding Freshman – Joshua Swilling
Cheerleading
MVP – Jamea Lott
Most Improved – Nisa Still
Outstanding Freshman – Ahnri Walker
Softball
MVP – DaSha Hill
Most Improved – Lorena Alvarez
Sailing
MVP – Filip Stevanovic
Most Improved – Khari Parrish
Women's Soccer
MVP – Sydney Jackson
Most Improved – Kennedy Peace
Outstanding Freshman – Isobel Finnegan
Men's Lacrosse
MVP – Pierce Johnson
Most Improved – Jonathan Napier, Aaron Brown
Outstanding Freshman – Juwan Woodson, Carter Boone, Elliot Johnson, Derian Williams-Sturdivant
Iron Pirate Award
Women – Kaitlin Scott
Men – Yahkee Johnson
Comeback Pirate Award
Women – Ashley Bates
Golden Rule Award
Women – Mallory Beard
Game Face Award
Women – Kiyanna Thomas
Men – Trey Carver