Xavier honors its student-athletes at annual awards banquet

NEW ORLEANS — Eight Xavier University of Louisiana student-athletes, including seniors Chinedu Echebelem (women's volleyball), Kwame Jackson (men's cross country) and Catherine Fakler (women's track and field), received most valuable player awards Monday evening during XU's 2014-15 athletics awards banquet at the University Center.

     

The event honored all nine XU teams.
     

The other MVPs were Whitney Gathright and Donyeah Mayfield in women's basketball, Christopher August in men's track and field, Hannah Finnegan in women's cross country, Kyle Montrel in men's tennis and Nour Abbes in women's tennis. Men's basketball does not pick an MVP, but seniors Sydney Coleman and Anthony Goode were presented the Rock Award for resiliency.
     

Senior student-athletes and managers received watches.
    

 Here are all the winners of major awards:

     Women's Volleyball
     Offensive Player of the Year:  Claudia Haywood
     Defensive Player of the Year:  Darian Harris
     Coach's Award:  Jodi Hill
     Scholar-Athlete Award:  Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova
     Most Valuable Player:  Chinedu Echebelem
     Most Improved:  Jada Broussard

     Women's Basketball
     Best Offensive Player:  Whitney Gathright
     Best Defensive Player:  Emoni Harvey
     Most Improved:  Trana Hopkins
     Most Valuable Player:  (tie) Whitney Gathright and Donyeah Mayfield
     Academic Award:  Alesha Smith

     Men's Basketball
     Most Improved:  Gary Smith
     Best Rebounder:  Jarvis Thibodeaux
     Assist Leader:  Morris Wright
     Student-Athlete of the Year:  Jarvis Thibodeaux
     Rock Award:  (tie) Sydney Coleman and Anthony Goode

     Men's Cross Country
     Freshman of the Year:  Xaiver Latting
     Most Improved:  Christopher August
     Hardest Worker:  Christopher August
     Most Valuable Player:  Kwame Jackson

     Men's Track and Field
     Freshman of the Year:  Joseph Moses III
     Most Improved:  Langston Adams
     Hardest Worker:  Joseph Moses III
     Most Valuable Player:  Christopher August

     Women's Cross Country
     Freshman of the Year:  Carlie Calais
     Most Improved:  Hannah Finnegan
     Hardest Worker:  Catherine Fakler
     Most Valuable Player:  Hannah Finnegan

     Women's Track and Field
     Freshman of the Year:  Clarke Allen
     Most Improved:  Chelsea James
     Hardest Worker:  Clarke Allen
     Most Valuable Player:  Catherine Fakler

     Women's Tennis
     Scholar-Athlete:  Jordyn Goody
     Newcomer of the Year:  Caroline Vernet
     Most Improved:  Carmen Nelson
     Coach's Award:  Carmen Nelson
     Sportsmanship:  Nour Abbes
     Most Valuable Player:  Nour Abbes

     Men's Tennis
     Scholar-Athlete:  Jeremiah Capdeville
     Newcomer of the Year:  Manav Chakma
     Most Improved:  Tushar Mandlekar
     Coach's Award:  Kevin Chaouat
     Sportsmanship:  Tushar Mandlekar
     Most Valuable Player:  Kyle Montrel
 

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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