FMU holds 41st-annual Athletic Banquet

Francis Marion University recently held its 41st-annual Athletic Banquet in the university’s Edward S. Ervin III Dining Hall. Most Valuable Player awards were given in 14 sports. An outstanding cheerleader award and a student-athlete award were also presented.

Gail Summersett Outlaw Outstanding Cheerleader Award – sophomore Heather Weatherford (Florence, SC)
Men’s Cross Country Most Valuable Player Award – sophomore Ian Wallace (Fort Mill, SC)
Carolyn Bishop Frate Most Valuable Player Award for women’s cross country – freshman Whitney Wagner (Cullowhee, NC)
Clifford Cormell Jr. Most Valuable Player Award for men’s golf – sophomore Sebastian Backlund (Bollebygd, Sweden)
Joe and Elease Webb Most Valuable Player Award for men's soccer – senior Clark Richeson (Mansfield, TX)
Most Valuable Player Award for women’s soccer – senior Adrienna Osorio-McKenna (Florence, SC)
Ashley Lynn Most Valuable Player Award for women’s softball – junior Ashley Jaramillo (Canyon Country, CA)
Lorin Mason Most Valuable Player Award for men’s tennis – senior Oshada Wijemanne (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
Gladys Hite Most Valuable Player Award for women’s tennis – junior Jitka Gavdunova (Vejprty, Czech Republic)
Jerry and Jean Lee Track and Field Most Valuable Player for men’s track and field – sophomore Tyler Waters (Clover, SC)
Most Valuable Player for women’s track and field – freshman Whitney Wagner (Cullowhee, NC)
Joseph B. Durant Most Valuable Player Award for women’s volleyball – senior Kelsie Deaton (Martinsville, IN)
Conyers O’Bryan Most Valuable Player Award for baseball – sophomore Don Sandifer (Bamberg, SC)
Howard Stokes Most Valuable Player Award for men’s basketball – junior Liki Turner (Richmond, VA)
Carroll Player Jr. Most Valuable Player Award for women’s basketball – senior Shannon Singleton-Bates (South Norwalk, CT)
Debra Lee Orander Swamp Fox Academic Award – senior Elisabeth Dobek (Sterling Heights, MI)

Several of the recipients were repeat honorees: Singleton-Bates (2009, 2010, 2011), Waters (2010, 2011), Wijemanne (2009, 2011), Gavdunova (2009, 2011).

Of the 10 FMU athletic teams that keep win-loss records, six registered winning records this past year, and four appeared in national poll rankings. Four teams have already participated in NCAA post-season competition, with the baseball invitations to be announced on May 15.