LUBBOCK, TX –Texas Tech Athletics celebrated its best and brightest of the 2021-22 college year Sunday night at the Red and Black Gala hosted by the JT Student-Athlete Development Department and Margaret Talkington at Buddy Holly Hall.
The gala, an annual event for Texas Tech student-athletes each May, recognizes student-athletes not only for their work in competition, but also in the classroom and through community service initiatives. The show also highlights various athletic staff and community groups for their efforts in promoting a successful student-athlete experience.
After earning his first appearance in an NCAA tournament in 20 years, Tony GraystoneThe volleyball program was a frequent recipient throughout the night after being named Women’s Team of the Year. Graystone, himself, was named Female Athletic Coach of the Year for his efforts to revitalize the volleyball program.
On the men’s side, the Red Raider men’s golf and basketball programs shared Team of the Year honors after Greg Sands‘ finished tied for 11th nationally at last year’s NCAA championships. The men’s basketball program, meanwhile, went from unranked to start the season to a Sweet 16 appearance last season, winning Mark Adams additional accolades as Male Athletic Coach of the Year.
Jace Jungthe reigning Big 12 Player of the Year on Diamond, and Ruth Usoro, two-time national triple jump champion, were each named Red Raiders of the Year for their competitive work. They were joined on stage earlier in the evening by female basketball players Bryn Gerlichwho received the prestigious Jeannine McHaney Award.
The ceremony also honored the top senior graduate for each sport, the list of student-athletes who achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA during the fall semester, and recipients of the Big 12’s Dr. Gerald Lage award. Conference. Additional winners included athletics Gabe Oladipo and softball Maddie Westmoreland with the Spirit and Sportsmanship Awards then football xavier white and soccer Penelope Mulenga as Returning Athletes of the Year.
Each award presented at the gala was determined based on academic merit in consultation with athletic staff including at the Marsha Sharp Center for Student-Athletes and the JT and Margaret Talkington Department of Student-Athlete Development.
Below is a full list of Red and Black Gala Award winners.
RED AND BLACK GALA AWARD WINNERS
Spirit and Sportsmanship Awards: Gabe Oladipo (Athletics), Maddie Westmoreland (Balloon-soft)
Returning Athletes of the Year: xavier white (Soccer), Penelope Mulenga (Football)
JT and Margaret Talkington Student-Athlete Development Award: Tony Bradford Jr. (Soccer), callie jones (Racetrack)
Best GPA Team: Men’s golf and women’s golf
Red Raider Giveback Rewards: Women’s football and golf
Jeannine McHaney Award: Bryn Gerlich (women’s basketball)
Athletics Administrator of the Year: Imelda GarciaAthletic Coach (Volleyball)
Athletics Teammate Award: Donation night at Cardinals Sports Center
Workhorse of strength and conditioning: Lexy Hightower (women’s basketball), Bryson Williams (men’s basketball), Riley Ehlen (soft ball), Caitlin Dugan (Volleyball), Sandy Scott (men’s golf), Anna Dong (women’s golf), Isaac Arevalo (Tennis Men), Olivia Peet (Women’s Tennis), Konner wood (men’s athletics), callie jones (women’s athletics), Thomas Velvin (men’s cross country), Halena Rahman (Women’s Cross Country), Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Soccer), Hannah Anderson (Football), Brandon Birdsell (Baseball)
Red & Black Price: Viviane Gray (women’s basketball), Bryson Williams (men’s basketball), payton jackson (Softball), Brooke Kansas (Volleyball), Sandy Scott (men’s golf), Gala Dumez (women’s golf), Ilgiz Valiev (Tennis Men), Marguerite Skriabina (Women’s Tennis), Mouad Zahafi (Men’s Track), Monae Nichols (Women’s Track), Edward Rush (men’s cross country), Halena Rahman (Women’s Cross Country), Henri Teter (Soccer), Hannah Anderson (Football), Parker-Kelly (Baseball)
Fearless Champion Rewards: Parker-Kelly (Baseball), Viviane Gray (women’s basketball)
Red Raiders of the Year: Ruth Usoro (Athletics), Jace Jung (Baseball)
Coaches of the year: Mark Adams (men’s basketball), Tony Graystone (Volleyball)
Teams of the year: Men’s Golf/Men’s Basketball and Volleyball
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