Eagles Awards Brunch

General Brittany Paddock

2020-2021 Eagles Awards Brunch

The official wrap-up on the 2020-2021 athletic season took place with the Eagles Awards Brunch. Athletes, coaches, Eagles staff, and fans came together to celebrate the accomplishments of each team. AD Calley began the morning by highlighting the events of the past seasons, admonishing the athletes for what was endured, and recognizing all that the teams accomplished.

"Before the 2020-2021 athletic season began, many of us wondered if competing under the Friday night lights on Eagle Field or playing in a packed-out Sports Center Arena was even a possibility" AD Calley said. "With each passing week, we saw one conference after another shut down their fall athletic season, and it appeared as though our fear would soon be a reality. But God had different plans, and we were soon beginning a unique season with one goal in mind, to rise above the obstacles as only an Eagle could."

Yes, challenges were faced in the form of game changes, adjustments to playing environments, natural disasters, as well as the normal routines of being a student-athlete. Finishing the year with three National Tournament appearances (including the soccer team's third National Championship appearance in four years), 6 All-American awards, one South Region Player of the year, one South Region Coach of the Year, 4 scholar-athletes, and two players receiving the highest honor award in their sports, each team rose to the challenges and presented PCC with one of its most prosperous years in program history.
After AD Calley recapped the athletic year, the awards presentation began.
 
Lady Eagles Basketball (21–4 Overall, 9–1 Conference)

The Lady Eagles awarded the following players:
  • Most Improved – Hope Baker
  • Offensive Player of the Year – Sandy McElhaney
  • Defensive Player of the Year – Jenna Wolford
  • New Comer of the Year – Alissa Brewer
  • Most Hype – Elise Cauthen
  • Most Valuable Player – Lauran Alvarez
 
Blue Crew

Blue Crew awarded the following athletes:
  • Most Valuable Male Athlete – Stephen Marshall
  • Most Valuable Female Athlete – Mari Coats
  • Most Improved Athlete – Jerrell Duke
 
Eagle's Basketball ( 5 – 21 Overall, 4–4 Conference)

The Eagles Basketball team recognized the following players:
  • Charge Award – John Clay, Anthony Horton, Austin Lewis
  • Hard Hat Award – AJ Ward
  • Dish Award – Christian Porter
  • Competitive Cauldron Champion – AJ Ward
  • Defensive Player of the Year – Brian Ugalde
  • Offensive Player of the Year – AJ Ward
 
Lady Eagles Volleyball ( 8–11 Overall, 8–3 Conference)

The Lady Eagles Volleyball team recognized the following players:
  •  Freshman Award  –  Kenzie Folker
  • Most Improved Player  –  Bethany Gamble
  • Big Time Performer  –  Brooke McLeod
  • Most Valuable Player  –  Ginger Cannon
 
Eagles Soccer (9 –8 Overall, 5 –2 Conference)

The Eagles Soccer team recognized the following players:
  • Most Improved Player – David Cuevas
  • Offensive Player of the Year – Riley Rhodes
  • Defensive Player of the Year – Anthony Ruiz
  • Coach's Award – Riley Buchalski
  • Most Valuable Player – Clint Peterson
  • Breakout Player  – Zachary Kleuver
 
After each coach presented their team awards, AD Calley presented the highest honor given in PCC athletics, the Eagle Award. This award goes beyond the playing surface and looks at the person – what embodies a PCC Eagle. Consistent in the classroom and on the field, with attitudes and actions that exemplify Pensacola Christian College, and the Eagle Way. Senior soccer player Riley Buchalski became the 34th recipient.

While the presentation of the Eagle Award normally would signify the closing of the awards banquet, this year a special presentation occurred to honor Coach Goetsch for his 27 years of dedicated service as PCC's Head Basketball Coach.
The brunch concluded by AD Calley thanking the seniors for their dedication and giving a final charge to returning student-athletes. "The time has come for you to take the torch of dedication and leadership," he said. "Continue to build off of the foundation established by those that came before you and never stop striving for excellence."

The lights have been turned off and the buzzer has sounded on the 2020-2021 season, but the anticipation for what these athletes will accomplish next year is already beginning.
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