ELKINS, W.Va. -- Davis & Elkins recently held its annual DESPY Awards Ceremony in the Myles Center for the Arts.Four student-athletes, two teams, and a pair of D&E administrators headlined the event as DESPY Award winners.
The Scholar-Athlete Award, which is awarded to the graduating male and female student-athlete who has maintained the highest overall grade point average, was presented to
Brianna Rose of the Women's Soccer team and DJ Henderson of the Men's Basketball team.
The Athlete-of-the-Year Award, which is awarded to the male and female student athletes who have distinguish themselves this season through their athletic performance through a combination of statistics, records, and accolades, was presented to Anya Miller of the Women's Cross-Country and Track & Field teams and Emeric Arnaud of the Men's Cross-Country and Track & Field teams.
The Scholar Team is selected by comparing the overall team grade point averages for all rostered student-athletes on teams in the semester they compete or complete their seasons. This year's honor went to the Men's Tennis Team.
The D&E Men's Soccer Team was award Team of the Year as the team that has distinguished themselves throughout the 2022-2023 academic year through outstanding team success as they advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 round for the second consecutive season.
The Senator Award, which is given to those individuals outside of Davis & Elkins Athletics Department who make a significant contribution to the department to help enhance the overall experience for our athletes, coaches, and staff, was presented the D&E Executive Vice President Dr. Rosemary Thomas and Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Jennifer Riggleman.
Brad Sisler, a member of the Men's Lacrosse team, served as emcee for the event. He and Director of Athletics Patrick Snively handed out the evening's awards and also recognized all-Conference, all-Region, and all-American performances, as well as, player and coach-of-the-year honorees.
Graduating seniors were also recognized with a graphic presentation and introduced by Dr. Riggleman and Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca, Special Advisor to Athletics.
The program also featured an opening prayer from Fellowship of Christian Athletes President Madison Michels and special welcome messages from Davis & Elkins President Chris Wood, Dr. Thomas, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President Robert Stephenson.
Scholar-Ahlete Award
BRIANNA ROSE (Women's Soccer)
Brianna Rose is a four-year member of the Women's Soccer Team, majoring in Elementary Education. She has maintained a 4.0 overall grade-point-average.
DJ HENDERSON (Men's Basketball)
DJ Henderson is a two-year member of the Men's Basketball Team, majoring in Management. He has maintained a 4.0 overall grade-point-average.
Athlete of the Year
ANYA MILLER (Women's Cross-Country and Track & Field)
Anya Miller was a First Team All-Conference selection. She helped lead her team to a Mountain East Conference Championship and three regional top ten finishes in her career. This year, she has broken school records in the 1000 meter, 1500 meter, mile, and distance medley relay events. She has been a USTFCCCA All-Academic selection and an Academic All-MEC selection in both cross-country and track each year of competition.
EMERIC ARNAUD (men's Cross-Country and Track & Field)
Emeric Arnaud earned first-team All-MEC honors and was an All-Region and All-American selection. He was 2019 GMAC Athlete and Freshman of the Year. He earned National runner of the week on two occasions and helped D&E to its first NCAA National Team appearance in 2020. This is his second time winning the Athlete of the Year DESPY Award after winning his freshman year.
*Head Coach Jason Pyles accepts the Male Athlete of the Year Award for Emeric Arnaud.
Scholar Team of the Year
MEN'S TENNIS
Men's Tennis earned an combined 3.63. grade-point-average in Spring 2023.
Team of the Year
MEN'S SOCCER
The Men's Soccer Team reachied as high as a number one National ranking.The team played to a 15-2 regular season record and advanced to the NCAA Regional semi-final for the second consecutive season. Nine players were named All-MEC. Three players were named to the Conference Commissioner Association All-Atlantic Region team, while four were named to the Coaches Association's All-Atlantic Region team. Two players were named to the Conference Commissioner Association All-America Second-Team and one player was named to the Coaches Association All-America Third-Team.
Senator Award
Dr. Rosemary Thomas and Dr. Jennifer Riggleman
Dr. Thomas and Dr. Riggleman stepped in to assist Athletics when Mr. Snively was out due to medical leave and were a source of support and leadership when it was needed most. The Senator Award is given by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Board.
