Xavier Athletics Celebrates Fourth Annual XSPYS

Photo by: Rooted Media House

Xavier Athletics Celebrates Fourth Annual XSPYS

04.10.19 | Baseball, Cross Country, Men's Golf, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Swimming, Men's Tennis, Track and Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Athletic Department, All For One Fund, Featured

By: Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Xavier Athletics celebrated the year in Musketeer sports on Wednesday night, when the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee hosted the fourth annual XSPYS. The event was made possible by the financial contributions of the All For One Fund. The event was held in the James and Caroline Duff Banquet Center at Cintas Center.

Xavier student-athletes voted on a number of categories, on and off the playing field, ranging from Best Championship Performance to Best Upset.

Samantha Dewey was named Comeback Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year after returning from an injury that limited her to five matches in the 2017 season to return in 2018 to lead the Musketeers on offense with 25 points, the most by a Musketeer in over a decade, and earn BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year as Xavier advanced to the BIG EAST Semifinals for the first time in program history.

Dewey also earned the Musketeer Medal of Honor, chosen by Vice President for Administration and Director of Athletics Greg Christopher, along with men's soccer player Samson Sergi.

Sam Johanns earned the Male Athlete of the Year after Johanns earned All-Conference in seven events at the BIG EAST Championships to help the Musketeers claim their fourth BIG EAST Championship in six years. Johanns placed top three in the 50 and 100 free, as well as the 100 back as an individual and also took part in four relays, including three first place finishes, to help Xavier claim the team title. Xavier's men's swimming team earned the 2019 Team of the Year honors.

Among the other winners were baseball's Allbry Major, the male Rookie of the Year, after earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year during his rookie campaign, and Female Rookie of the Year, women's tennis' Ahmeir Kyle, who jumped into the No. 1 singles spot as a freshman , winning nine matches in singles and helping the Musketeers to 11 wins in doubles play on the way to All-BIG EAST Second Team honors.

Women's basketball's Ashley Gomez and men's swimming's Landon Clark earned the community service award. Xavier Athletic Communications student assistant Laura Topp earned the Bunker Memorial Scholarship for her contributions to the department.

Several multimedia awards were handed out as well, including 'Best Play' for women's swimming's BIG EAST Championship in the 200 medley relay, 'Best Celebration Shot' of Women's Soccer taking the BIG EAST Championship Quarterfinals on PKs, 'Best Action Shot' and 'Best Selfie'

Faculty members Chris Welter and Karen Eutsler were also chosen to be honored by Xavier's student-athletes for their contributions to the department.

2019 AWARD WINNERS

Best Play - Women's Swimming
Best Celebration Shot - Women's Soccer
Best Action Shot - Zach Hankins (Men's Basketball)
Best Selfie - Lauren Hanlon (Volleyball)
Faculty Appreciation - Chris Welter, Karen Eutsler
Community Service Award - Ashley Gomez (Women's Basketball), Landon Clark (Men's Swimming)
Bunker Memorial - Laura Topp, Xavier Athletic Communications
Female Rookie of the Year - Ahmeir Kyle (Women's Tennis)
Male Rookie of the Year - Allbry Major (Baseball)
Comeback Player of the Year - Samantha Dewey (Women's Soccer)
Female Athlete of the Year - Samantha Dewey (Women's Soccer)
Male Athlete of the Year - Sam Johanns (Men's Swimming)
Team of the Year - Men's Swimming
Musketeer Magis - Sophia Abelson (Women's Tennis), Andie Kennard (Women's Soccer)
Musketeer Medal of Honor - Samantha Dewey (Women's Soccer), Samson Sergi (Men's Soccer)

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