Story by Rick Vacek
Photos by Darryl Webb
GCU News Bureau
Grand Canyon University athletes have “exceeded everyone’s expectations” in their first year in NCAA Division I, President and CEO Brian Mueller told the crowd Monday night at the Lopey Awards on the Quad.
So it seemed only fitting that a group of students from that crowd, which brought together most of GCU’s more than 400 athletes along with coaches and staff, put together a celebration that was upbeat as well.
The Lopeys, a new way for GCU to honor its athletes from the school year about to be completed, are a takeoff on the ESPYs, cable giant ESPN’s annual Academy Awards-style show. The event had the same type of awards, same type of presentation and same type of semi-formal attire -- but with a purple carpet, not a red one.
“The students came to us and asked to do it,” said Director of Athletics Keith Baker, who had been looking for something with a little more personality and asked the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to come up with some options. “It was totally student-driven. That’s what makes it a lot of fun – it was what the students wanted to do.”
And the winners were:
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Killian Larson, who led the men’s basketball team in scoring (17.2 average) and rebounds (11.2), got the honor, as expected, over a strong group of candidates.
Larson was invited to the National Basketball Association’s pre-draft camp last weekend at Portsmouth, Va., and said he hopes to catch on with an NBA summer league team. If that doesn’t pan out, he intends to explore options in Europe.
Larson transferred to GCU from Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif., and is happy he did.
“With this group of guys, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he said. “It’s the best team I ever played on. I’m thankful God pointed me in the right direction.”
The other nominees were Mike Hamel (wrestling), Jerome Garrison (basketball), Michael Pomeroy (baseball), Ben Ponnet (volleyball), Mark Geddes (golf) and Kevin Lashley (track and field).
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Moya McKenzie, an outstanding 400-meter runner on the track and field team, wasn’t a surprise choice, either – except to her.
“I’m surprised and I’m happy at the same time,” she said. “I’m glad my hard work was recognized. I feel awesome.”
Other nominees: Charlotte Jaengkit (golf), Kaitlyn Petersen (basketball), Priscilla Annoual (tennis), Hannah Kastigar (swimming).
ROLAND L. BECK AWARD
(TOP SENIOR SCHOLAR ATHLETE)
The male winner was Ivan Nechunaev, a swimmer from Tomsk, Russia. The female winner was Lauren Graham, a pole vaulter on the track and field team.
MOST INSPIRATIONAL ATHLETE
Basketball player Jenna Pearson was a popular pick, especially with her coach, Trent May.
“She has exactly the mentality you would want a player to have if you had a daughter,” he said. “She’s a great role model and a committed teammate.”
Other nominees: Emily Ravenhill (women's soccer), Blake Davis (men's basketball), Claire Zampini (softball).
PLAY OF THE YEAR
This is a classic ESPY category, and the award went to golfer Phoeba Cipa for her hole-in-one at the GCU Invitational in February at Wigwam Golf Resort in Litchfield Park. Cipa’s ace came on the 126-yard 11th hole.
Other nominees: Gerrit Thomes for his second-overtime goal vs. Incarnate Word; the 400-meter women’s medley relay for its victory in the Western Athletic Conference Swimming Championships (its time of 3:40.91 was nearly seven seconds better than the school record); and Chelsea Santos of the women’s soccer team for her free kick vs. Idaho.
COMEBACK ATHLETE
Kyle Ciliento, who returned to the field for the first time since 2010 and became GCU’s career-goals leader with 56, was the choice from men's soccer over Stacey Wymer (women’s swimming), Karlin Stewart (men’s track and field) and Daniel Alexander (men’s basketball).
GAME OF THE YEAR
The baseball team’s 3-1 victory at the University of Arizona was chosen over the men’s basketball victory over California State University Bakersfield at GCU Arena, in which it overcame a 20-point deficit; the women’s swimming team’s dual-meet rout of New Mexico State; and the men’s volleyball team’s comeback victory over University of the Pacific.
GCU SPIRIT
Jevon Estelle, who went from the Monsoon student cheering section to a spot on the basketball roster, was the pick over Felipe Reyes (men’s soccer), Nikki Stanley (women’s soccer) and Jahliell Wiltshire (men’s track and field).
COACH
Assistant Coach Todd Lehman of track and field, whose three pole vaulters went 1-2-3 in the WAC Indoor Championships, was chosen over head coaches Greg Prudhomme (tennis) and Steve Schaffer (swimming) and Associate Head Coach Cory Cole of women's basketball.
TEAM
Women’s track and field, which won the WAC Indoor Championships, was the choice over women’s basketball, men’s track and field and wrestling.
Contact Rick Vacek at 639.8203 or [email protected].
