HICKORY, N.C.- The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee hosted the sixth annual Bears Choice Awards on Monday, May 1, wrapping up the 2022-23 academic year and honoring and celebrating the hard work and successful seasons of all Lenoir-Rhyne student-athletes.

This year's celebration took place in P.E. Monroe Auditorium; it is the fourth time in six years that the end of the year event has taken place in the on-campus venue.
 
The celebration was kicked off with student-athletes in their best fits on display on the red carpet amongst their teammates and friends followed by an 'ESPY'-style ceremony to honor outstanding individual performances and team honors. The awards cover individual, team and special recognitions for the Rufus Moretz Scholar-Athletes and the Wayne B. Powell Award.

The Neill McGeachy's "Stellar" Coaching Excellence Award was awarded to Kevin Paterson, head men's and women's cross country and track and field coach, and Harley Mason, women's triathlon head coach. For Coach Paterson, he helped lead the men's and women's indoor track and field teams to second place finishes in the SAC Indoor Championships. Under Paterson's lead he also sent seven athletes to the NCAA Division II National Indoor Championships.

For Coach Mason, she helped secure the first national championship in program history as well as the first women's national championship in university history. In only their second year as a recognized sport, the Bears took down Colorado Mesa and Wingate en route to the title.

The Breakthrough Team of the Year was awarded to women's basketball. After going 11-15 in the 2021-22 season, this year's team had one of the biggest turnaround seasons in all of Division II with a 24-8 record and a SAC Tournament Championship. In his third season at the helm, Graham Smith led women's basketball to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014.

The Male and Female Athletes of the Year, the highlight of the individual student awards, were given to Alexis Brown and Jacob Wadsworth. Brown, women's track and field, won the Division II National Championship for the women's 200-meter dash. She was also named the 2023 USTFCCCA Southeast Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year.

Wadsworth, men's track and field, received a long list of accolades which included being named the 2023 USTFCCCA Southeast Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year. The senior also was the Track and Field Athlete of the Meet during the 2023 SAC Indoor Championships.

Blaikley Crooks, women's basketball, and Louise Berg, women's soccer, received the Female Breakthrough Player of the Year Award. Crooks, was named First Team All-SAC after averaging 14.9 points per game while tallying 63 steals. For Berg, she earned First Team All-SAC honors as well after her 19-goal scoring season and nearly logging 1600 minutes on the pitch.

The Male Breakthrough Player of the Year award went to Men's Track and Field Athlete Dario Matau. The sophomore was named to the 2023 USTFCCCA Division II All-Southeast Region Team for his performances in the 60-meter, 200-meter and 4x400-meter relay events. He also won the 200-meter dash in the 2023 SAC Indoor Championships.

The Comeback Player of the Year was awarded to Talon LaClair. After missing the 2022 season due to an injury, LaClair earned All-SAC First Team honors after notching a .418 batting average and career-bests 61 hits, 13 home runs and 53 RBIs during the 2023 season.

The three Newcomer of the Year award winners left a mark this year that couldn't be unnoticed. Alexis Brown took home Female Newcomer of the Year. Brown, women's track and field, completed unprecedented feats in her first season at Lenoir-Rhyne. She was named the 2023 SAC Women's Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Her accomplishments included breaking program records and being honored as the freshman of the meet in the 2023 SAC Indoor Championships.

The Male Newcomer of the Year resulted in a tie with Riley Seay and Blake Bean. Seay, men's lacrosse, started in all 17 games for the Bears as the graduate transfer recorded 41 points off 28 goals and 13 assists, earning him First Team All-SAC honors. Bean, baseball, started in all 54 games for the Bears and led the team with 73 hits and 61 runs. The graduate transfer also registered a 1.179 OPS and 17 home runs, earning him First Team All-SAC honors.

The Biggest Upset Award was given to men's basketball for their exhibition victory over Louisville. In a pre-season contest, the Bears went into the KFC Yum! Center and defeated the two-time national champion Louisville basketball program, 57-47.

The Moment of the Year Award was given to women's triathlon for winning the 2022 USAT Division II National Championship. The Bears had four Top 10 finishes in the event and Coach Mason earned National Coach of the Year honors in her first season with the program. 

Also, The Amy Wood Supporting Faculty Award was presented to Dr. Stephanie Stadden. Swimming took home the Community Service Award and the Lead the Charge Award. The Bears Supporting Bears award was given to Men's Track and Field.

Wrapping up the show, was the announcement of the Wayne B. Powell Award winners, which is given to the students who show a strong performance in the classroom and on the field in their sport. This year's recipients were Men's Track and Field Athlete Jacob Wadsworth and Women's Triathlon & Track and Field Athlete Nanette Nikoljsen.

2023 BEARS CHOICE AWARDS
Amy Wood Supporting Faculty - Dr. Stephanie Stadden
Community Service - Swimming
Lead the Charge - Swimming
Bears Supporting Bears - Men's Track and Field
Coaching Excellence - Kevin Paterson & Harley Mason
Wayne B. Powell - Jacob Wadsworth and Nanette Nikoljsen
Moment of the Year - Women's Triathlon Wins USAT Division II National Championship
Biggest Upset - Men's Basketball Defeats Louisville
Breakthrough Team of the Year - Women's Basketball
Comeback Player of the Year - Talon LaClair
Female Athlete of the Year - Alexis Brown
Female Breakthrough -  Blaikley Crooks and Louise Berg
Female Newcomer - Alexis Brown
Male Athlete of the Year - Jacob Wadsworth
Male Breakthrough - Dario Matau 
Male Newcomer - Riley Seay & Blake Bean