Arkansas State honors student athletes in 2024 State Awards

The Arkansas State Athletics Department held its annual student-athletes award banquet, the “State Awards,” Monday night at First National Bank Arena, celebrating the Red Wolves’ academic success, athletics achievements and community service.

Dressed in formal attire, A-State student-athletes were greeted by a red-carpet walk into the facility and enjoyed a social function and dinner as part of the event that featured a “Meet at the Masquerade” theme. The banquet was highlighted by a recognition of A-State’s conference award honorees throughout the year and the announcement of the Red Wolves’ major award winners for 2023-24.

Prior to announcing the awards, master of ceremonies Matt Stolz welcomed everyone to the event, and the Red Wolves heard from Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Jeff Purinton, Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. David Kern, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Student Services Taylor Hall and Dr. Mark Lewis, who was named the Athletics Department’s Faculty of the Year.

A pair of All-America selections, track & field star Bradley Jelmert and bowler Emma Stull, were the recipients of the Terry Gwin Award, named after former football player Terry Gwin and based on leadership citizenship, scholarship and athletic performance.

The Scott and Kay Dawson Award went to Willem Coertzen, a junior on the men’s track & field team, and Yasmine Humbert, a senior on the women’s tennis team. The criteria for the award includes, but is not limited to, excellence in service, attitude, loyalty, character and leadership.

The Dr. Tim and Terri Langford Award, the highest academic honor within A-State Athletics and presented for excelling academically while demonstrating a commitment to integrity, Arkansas State University and the community, was issued to junior football player Jacob Bayer and sophomore women’s tennis player Sarah Millard.

Junior Taryn Todd of the men’s basketball team and Michelle Ogbemudia of the women’s track & field squad were selected as the Red Wolves’ male and female Newcomer of the Year. Earning Freshman of the Year honors were quarterback Jaylen Raynor and volleyball standout Erin Madigan.

Introduced as new awards two years ago, the Heart of a Red Wolf, Pulse of the Pack and Pack Pride Team Award returned as part of the night’s event. The Heart of a Red Wolf award went to junior football student-athlete Justin Parks and senior women’s soccer student-athlete Summit Dann for persevering to overcome obstacles and exemplifying extraordinary strength in the face of adversity.

The Pulse of the Pack award winners were nominated and chosen by student-athletes and presented to a student-athlete from each team for being an instrumental leader who is dedicated to improving the squad every day through their work ethic, trustworthiness and accountability.

The selections included Bayer, Ariadna Fernandez (women’s tennis), Izzy Daines (women’s track & field), Caleb Fields (men’s basketball), Abby Harris (volleyball), Cash Kunkel (men’s cross country), Gertie Langford (women’s soccer), Lizzie Martin (women’s cross country), Hugo Ronnberg (men’s golf), Wynter Rogers (women’s basketball), Jessica Schnurr (women’s bowling), Elise Schultz (women’s golf), Trace South (men’s track & field) and Cason Tollett (baseball).

The Pack Pride Team Award went to the volleyball team. The honor was established to recognize the team that has participated most in A-State’s life skills program throughout the year, including community service hours, attending other team’s home events, getting involved on campus and engaging in the overall student-athlete experience. The team is awarded a traveling trophy that stays with the squad the entire year.

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