General | 4/25/2022 9:05:00 PM
DENTON, Texas (April 25, 2022) – The 2022 Oakleys – a time to reflect, to celebrate and to honor the many accomplishments of our 2021-22 Texas Woman's University student-athletes.
The annual awards banquet hosted by the TWU Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), The Oakleys, occurred on Monday, April 25 in Hubbard Hall. Several athletes were awarded for their leadership, service and hard work throughout this past year, and everyone was given an opportunity to reflect and celebrate this past year's accomplishments.
"I am very grateful we are able to host the Oakleys in person once again,"
Trixie Oche, SAAC President, said. "It is nice to have the opportunity to place a spotlight on our amazing teams and highlight the work that has been done all year."
The awards portion of the evening began with the announcement of the Outstanding Athletes from each sport, as chosen and presented by the coaches.
The Outstanding Athletes for each sport are listed below:
Each sport also trains in the gym to improve their strength and endurance before their season, during their season, and in the off-season. In honor of the athletes' hard work in the gym, TWU's Sports Performance Coach Brett Crossland selected an All-Sports Performance Team.
The All-Sports Performance Team is listed below:
Throughout the athletic year, various people and businesses go above and beyond their assigned duties to make the TWU Athletic experience memorable. This year, one particular partnership rose above in their dedication to and support of Pioneer athletics. From hosting a basketball watch party to hosting luncheons, the 2022 Pioneer Athletics Champion Award was awarded to the Embassy Suites Denton Convention Center.
Along with businesses who help make Pioneer athletics amazing, there are also giants who laid the foundation for what it means to be a Pioneer student-athlete. These women left a legacy of leadership, passion and tenacity, which our athletes continue to be inspired by to this day. In honor of these amazing women, current student-athletes are nominated by their coaches and then selected by the Athletic Department to receive these namesake awards.
First, Kitty Winter Magee was the first chairwoman of the Texas Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. Magee also served as an associate professor at TWU until 1981, co-founder of the Pioneer Club for student-athlete scholarships, and a member of the TWU Athletics Hall of Fame. She was revered for her bold dedication to female athletics and TWU.
The 2022 Kitty Magee Award recipient is
Jazmine Navarro.
Navarro, a Pioneer soccer player, will graduate this spring with a degree in Kinesiology. In her four years at TWU, Navarro broke the All-Time Assists Record and set a new single game assist record. After graduation, Navarro will be working as a graduate assistant with the Southern Nazarene University soccer program.
"When I think of TWU Soccer, I think of
Jazmine Navarro," TWU soccer head coach
Babak Abouzar said. "She has dedicated her collegiate career to growing our program. She is a role model for everyone on our team. The success we had on the field this past season was due in large to her ability to connect with her teammates and pour into them on a daily basis. Through her dedication to our program, she has created a story and legacy that will continue on even after she graduates from TWU."
Second, Dianne Baker was a TWU head softball coach from 1997 to 2005. During her coaching career, Baker posted an amazing career coaching record of 785-462-3, establishing her among the winningest coaches in the NCAA. While coaching the Pioneers, she had a record of 285-165-2, and was named the 1999 and 2002 Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year. A TWU faculty member, a TWU Athletics Hall of Fame member, and a TWU Distinguished Alumna, Baker is revered for the intensity and passion she coached and played with.
The 2022 Dianne Baker Award winner is
MacKenzie Kunzman.
Kunzman, a junior gymnast, competed for the Pioneers this season on the beam, helping to lead the Pioneers to their 12th USAG title in program history. In the national meet, Kunzman finished tied for seventh overall on beam.
"If you have seen Kenzie on the competition floor, then you have personally witnessed the level of intensity that this award signifies," TWU gymnastics head coach
Lisa Bowerman said. "Kenzie brings a fire and an unmatched energy to every practice and competition. One of the most incredible things about her is she possesses this intense fire, while being the one who at times brings the silliness and the light heartedness, when that is what a situation calls for. I believe intensity does not have one look… it is not always the loud kind of fire, but it is also the quiet looks- the looks that say clearly "you got this. I believe in you." Merriam-Webster dictionary defines intensity as "extreme degree of strength, force, energy, or feeling". This might be the most fitting description of Kenzie I have ever heard."
Third, Jo Kuhn served as the TWU Director of Athletics for 10 years (1982-92). While also coaching and teaching at TWU. Kuhn is also a member of the TWU Athletics Hall of Fame. She is revered her strong, outstanding leadership.
The 2022 Jo Kuhn Award recipient is
Trixie Oche.
Oche, a Pioneer volleyball athlete, will graduate this spring with a Kinesiology degree, Pre-Physical Therapy. While playing volleyball, Oche also serves as the Student Athletic Advisory Committee President. Oche is known for her leadership on-and-off the volleyball court.
"Trixie has long been a go-to Leader for excellence in our department," TWU volleyball head coach
Jeff Huebner said. "She is currently a member of TWU Volleyball Leadership Council, President of TWU SAAC, Planning the Oakleys, providing Oversight for community service for the department and keeping all teams apprised of the needs of our department. As a player, Trixie is consistent and is the picture of maximum work ethic in a real way for our team."
The final namesake award is the Dr. Bettye Meyers Service Award. Dr. Bettye Meyers is known for her commitment to serving the TWU community and the greater community at-large. This award is given to the athlete who received the most community service hours throughout the year.
The 2022 Dr. Bettye Meyers Service Award winner is
Mackenzie Balderas.
Balderas, a Pioneer gymnast, will graduate this spring with a degree in Kinesiology. Balderas helped guide the Pioneers to their 12th National title and has made a lasting impact on TWU Gymnastics.
The final award nominated by the coaches and voted on by the Athletic administration is the Pioneer Athlete of the Year Award.
The Pioneer Athlete of the Year Award recognizes the student-athlete with the overall highest athletics achievements of the past academic year.
The 2022 Pioneer Athlete of the Year winner is
Ashley Ingram.
Ingram, a freshman basketball player, led the Pioneers to their first NCAA Tournament win in program history. The 2021-22 Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year, Ingram averaged 14.5 points per game. Ingram finished with six double-doubles this season and a career high 30-point performance against Midwestern State University. Ingram was also named to the D2CCA South Central Region Second Team.
"Ashley is a fierce competitor who loves to win," TWU basketball coach
Beth Jillson said. "When you watch her play, you can see the passion and intensity she plays with. She never backs down from adversity."
Next, Sandee Mott, TWU Athletics Director, awarded the 2022 Athletics Director Award to the 2021-22 Pioneer basketball team.
The 2021-22 Pioneers made history throughout the season. First, they beat the No. 1 team in the nation, Texas A&M University – Commerce on the road. Then, after being picked to finish 11th in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll, the Pioneers finished second in the conference. Coach
Beth Jillson was named the LSC Noel Johnson Coach of the Year, and
Ashley Ingram was named the LSC Freshman of the Year. After the conference tournament came to a close, TWU received their highest South Central Region seed in program history, four. In the South Central Regional Tournament, the Pioneers defeated MSU-Denver in the first round to record their first NCAA tournament win in program history.
Sadie Moyer, who averaged the highest number of points in the tournament and went 100% from the free throw line in two games, was named to the South Central Regional All-Tournament team.
With a record of 20-9, the Pioneers tied their all-time record for fewest losses in the season and recorded the fewest number of turnovers in a season in program history, 437.
Following the Athletics Director Award selection, the 2022 Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) awards were announced. Each year, SAAC nominates and votes upon four awards.
First, the Comeback Player of the Year is awarded to the athlete who suffered from an injury the previous season and worked to comeback this season.
The 2022 Comeback Player of the Year recipient is
Kyla Podges.
Podges, a junior gymnast, missed most of last season due to injury. This season, she returned to competition and was a mainstay in the Pioneers rotation on bars and beam. She set a career high 9.825 on beam and a 9.750 on bars in her comeback season. Additionally, she helped lead the Pioneers to their National Championship title.
Second, the Newcomer of the Year is awarded to a first year Pioneer athlete with notable achievements in their first season.
The 2022 Newcomer of the Year winner is
Ashley Ingram.
As stated above, Ingram was the Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year and the Pioneers leading scorer in 2022.
Third, the Pioneer Performance of the Year includes submissions from each team—what they consider to be their most iconic moments of the past season.
The 2022 Pioneer Performance of the Year is the Artistic Swim team's historic performance at the 2022 Collegiate Nationals.
In their first year as a program, the TWU Artistic Swim Team placed fifth in team performance out of 12 teams. Combining all their event scores, TWU finished fourth out of 13 teams, ahead of University of Florida, UCLA and University of Arizona.
The final SAAC award was the Athletes' Choice Award, which is awarded to an athlete who represented what it means to be a Pioneer—one who embodies passion for her sport, love her teammates, and overall care for her community.
The 2022 Athletes' Choice Award winner is
Mackenzie Balderas.
Balderas, a senior gymnast, will graduate this spring. According to her teammates and fellow athletes, Balderas is kind, passionate, encouraging, and hard-working. She truly embodies what it means to be the best TWU Pioneer.
During the event,
Isabel Goyco, a senior gymnast, was honored as with the Chancellor's Award. Goyco will graduate with a degree in Biology this spring. As a Pioneer, Goyco was a two-time USAG individual national champion on floor, tying the individual program record on floor with a 9.950.
The night culminated by honoring the 2022 student-athlete graduates, which are listed below:
Finally, the athletes were treated to a year in review video to reminisce on all the joyous times and celebrate their achievements throughout the past year.
-PIONEERS-
