BYU celebrates athletic and academic success at annual Y Awards

PROVO, Utah – BYU Athletics celebrated a year of athletic and academic success at the 2018 Y Awards ceremony held Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at the Marriott Center.

Fifteen student-athletes, two coaches and five teams were honored as part of this year’s Y Awards. Among the honorees were All-Americans Veronica Jones-Perry of women’s volleyball and McKenna Bull of softball, who shared Female Athlete of the Year honors; as well as track and cross country athlete Rory Linkletter, who was named Male Athlete of the Year.

Baseball head coach Mike Littlewood was named Coach of the Year after leading BYU to a share of the 2017 West Coast Conference regular season championship, the program’s first WCC Tournament title and an appearance in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002. BYU gymnastics assistant coach Brogan Evanson was named Assistant Coach of the Year.

The 2017 women’s volleyball team was named the Women’s Team of the Year after advancing to the NCAA regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament for a sixth-straight year. The 2017 men’s cross country and volleyball teams shared Men’s Team of the Year honors as the cross country team took third at the NCAA Championships and volleyball reached the national championship match of the NCAA tournament for a second-straight season.

Rookie of the Year awards were given to WCC Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year Sara Hamson, while the men’s award went to the Freshman All-American tight end Matt Bushman.

Y Awards winners were selected by votes from their fellow BYU student-athletes. Each head coach could nominate one athlete from their team for each category. The Student Athlete Advisory Council, a group of athletes comprised of two representatives from every team, narrowed down the candidates prior to the final athlete voting. Award qualifications are based on competition from April 2017 to March 2018.

Below is a complete list of Y Awards winners.

Female Rookie of the Year — Sara Hamson (Women’s Basketball)

This award is given to the female freshman student athlete who contributes the most in her true freshman or redshirt freshman year.

• Ranks second nationally in blocked shots and in blocks per game while leading the WCC in blocks 
• Named 2017-18 WCC Defensive Player of the Year and selected to the five-member All-Freshman Team 
• Broke the single-season all-time BYU freshman record in blocked shots with 107

Other finalists: Rylee Jensen (Softball), Whittni Orton (Women’s Track and Field), Kennedy Redding (Women’s Volleyball)

Male Rookie of the Year — Matt Bushman (Football)

This award is given to the male freshman student athlete who contributes the most in his true freshman or redshirt freshman year.

• Named Freshman All-American by USA Today Sports, FWAA, 247Sports and Chat Sports 
• No. 1 freshman tight end in the nation with 49 receptions and 520 yards 
• Led BYU in receptions, receiving yards and tied for the most touchdowns in 2017

Other finalists: Jacob Heslington (Men’s Track and Field), Peter Kuest (Men’s Golf), Rhett Rasmussen (Men’s Golf)

Comeback Player of the Year — Jacob Heslington (Men’s Track and Field)

Given to the athlete (male or female) who has overcome incredible odds to succeed as a Cougar Athlete.

• Had blood clots in this right leg and a dual pulmonary embolism (blood clots all over his lungs) that caused both of his lungs to collapse. 
• Competed in the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 3000m steeplechase where he ran a personal best 8:43.23 to qualify for the final round where he finished 10th overall and was named second-team All-American 
• Took second overall in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 San Francisco State Distance Carnival which earned him a regional qualifying time of 8:51.78

Other finalists: Cosy Burnett (Women’s Volleyball), Brenna Porter (Men’s Track and Field)

Ed Stein Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award — Preston Jenkins (Men’s Swimming)

The oldest recognition bestowed upon a BYU male athlete, given to the senior who has most clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship.

• Named 2017 CSCAA Scholar All-American and All-Academic Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Scholar-Athlete, broke the school record in the 200-yard freestyle (1:35.00) and was named to 2018 All-MPSF First-Team in the 200-yard IM, 200-yard free and 100-yard free 
• Double majoring in Exercise Science (3.61 GPA) and French 
• Team captain and member of SAAC

Other finalists: Bronson Larson (Baseball), Jackson Walker (Men’s Track and Field)

Lu Wallace Outstanding Senior Female Athlete Award — Kristi Rush-Briggs (Women’s Track and Field)

The oldest recognition bestowed upon a BYU female athlete, given to the senior who has most clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship

• Earned 2018 Indoor Track and Field All-America First Team honors after finishing 8th overall in the DMR and named to the 2017 Outdoor Track and Field All-America Second Team after finishing 14th in the women's 3000m steeplechase (10:01.99) at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Championships 
• Ran the fourth-best time in BYU history in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:57.72 at the Mt. SAC Relays 
• Carries a 3.83 GPA in Nursing

Other finalists: Kendra Dalton (Women’s Golf), Cassie Broadhead Devashrayee (Women’s Basketball), Ashley Thompson (Softball)

Walk-on of the Year — Abby Boden (Gymnastics)

This award is given to one non-scholarship athlete (male or female) at BYU who plays a significant role on his or her team.

• Came to BYU as a walk-on after placing third on bars, ninth in the all-around and 10th in beam and floor in her classification at the 2017 Junior Olympic National Championships 
• Competed in vault, bars and beam as a freshman for BYU in 2018 
• Recorded personal bests of 9.850 on bars and 9.900 on beam as a freshman

Other finalists: David Ball (Men’s Tennis), McKay Cannon (Men’s Basketball), Brayden El-Bakri (Football)

Cougar Club Memorial Award — Angel Zhong (Gymnastics)

Established in memory of eight Cougar Club members who lost their lives in an airplane crash at the Point of the Mountain in November of 1965, given to an outstanding junior male or female athlete with high scholarly achievement.

• Has a 4.0 GPA as a pre-management major with a minor in Chinese 
• Earned a Scholastic All-American Award through National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women and was an All-MRGC first-team selection on vault 
• Recorded career-high scores of 9.850 on vault, 9.775 on bars and 9.750 on beam during the 2018 season

Other finalists: Briielle Breland (Softball), Matthew Pearce (Men’s Tennis)

Leona Holbrook Spirit of Sport Award — Alohi Robins-Hardy (Women’s Volleyball)

Presented in memory of Dr. Leona B. Holbrook, given to the senior female athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and in life.

• Definition of a true team player, always encouraging the starting setter and competing to the best of her abilities in practice and when needed in games 
• Contributed 153 assists and 41 digs while playing in 43 sets as a senior in 2017 
• Collected a double-double of 28 assists and 10 digs while collecting the match-winning point in a five-set victory over No. 16 ranked Utah

Other finalists: Bizzy Bowen (Soccer), Mackenzie Douglas (Gymnastics), Emma Richards Lythgoe (Women’s Swimming)

Dale McCann Spirit of Sport Award — Jonny Linehan (Football)

Presented in memory of Dale R. McCann, given to the senior male athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and in life.

• A three-time national champion in Rugby, walked on to the football team; earned a scholarship prior to 2017 season and graduated with a degree in finance 
• Became starting punter for 2015 season and in first college game punted a 77-yarder (No. 6 in school history) 
• Led a punting unit that ranked No. 11 nationally in opponent punt return average (3.56 yards)

Other finalists: Tanner Chauncey (Baseball), Preston Jenkins (Men’s Swimming)

Female Crowd Pleaser — Mary Lake (Women’s Volleyball)

Presented to the female athlete whose enthusiasm and outstanding performance have given extra excitement to the crowd.

• Named 2017 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and selected to the All-Pacific South Region First Team
• Selected as the 2017 WCC Defender of the Year; named All-WCC First Team and WCC All-Academic Team
• Collected 533 total digs for an average of 4.52 per set in 2017 – second-most all-time at BYU in each category

Other finalists: Shannon Hortman Evans (Gymnastics), Madie Mathews (Soccer)

Male Crowd Pleaser — Yoeli Childs (Men’s Basketball)

Presented to the male athlete whose enthusiasm and outstanding performance have given extra excitement to the crowd.

• Named to the All-WCC First Team, the WCC All-Tournament Team, USBWA All-District and earned WCC Player of the Week honors on Jan. 15; among the top 10 in the WCC in scoring, double-doubles, rebounding, field goal percentage, blocks, offensive rebounds and minutes played 
• Is averaging 18.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.9 blocks while shooting 54.8 percent from the field 
• Has season highs of 33 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and 5 blocks and has a team-best 57 dunks

Other finalists: Gabi Garcia Fernandez (Men’s Volleyball), Keaton Kringlen (Baseball)

Male Athlete of the Year — Rory Linkletter (Men’s Track and Field)

Given to the male athlete who demonstrates the competitive spirit of desire, dedication and determination, leading him to the top of competition and serving as an inspiration to both teammates and fans.

• Named a first-team All-American for 2017 outdoor track, a first-team All-American for 2018 indoor track, All-American for cross country and the WCC Runner of the Month 
• Finished second overall in the 10,000m in the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Championships (29:02.96); finished sixth overall in the 5000m in the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships, won the 3000m at the 2018 MPSF Indoor Championships with a career-best time of 7:54.29; took fourth in the 5000m at the 2018 Iowa State Classic with a career-best time of 13:41.01 
• Cross Country team captain; led the team to a third-place finish at the 2017 NCAA Cross Country Championships, a perfect score at the WCC Championships and a first-place finish at the Pre-National Invitational where he finished first out of 282 runners (23:08.4) in the 8k race 

Other finalists: Elijah Bryant (Men’s Basketball), Brock Hale (Baseball), Brenden Sander (Men’s Volleyball), Fred Warner (Football)

Female Athlete of the Year — McKenna Bull (Softball) and Veronica Jones-Perry (Women’s Volleyball)

Given to the female athlete who demonstrates the competitive spirit of desire, dedication and determination, leading her to the top of competition and serving as an inspiration to both teammates and fans.

McKenna Bull, Softball

• Named 2017 NFCA All-American third-team and NFCA All-Pacific Region First Team (fourth-consecutive year of NFCA All-Region honors)
• WCC pitcher of the week 17 total times, including nine in 2017; named WCC Pitcher of the Year for three-straight seasons (2015-17), along with being named to the All-WCC First Team in each of those seasons
• Finished her career as the most successful pitcher in BYU history; holds the single season and career records in wins, complete games, shutouts, saves, innings pitched and strikeouts; finished in the top three in ERA, strikeouts per innings and opponent batting average; as a senior threw 57.2-consecutive scoreless innings — a BYU record

Veronica Jones-Perry, Women’s Volleyball

• Named AVCA Third-Team All-America, All-Pacific South Region First Team, All-WCC First Team and WCC All-Academic Team
• Finished No. 2 in the NCAA in total points (655.0) and No. 3 in total kills (569) while adding a team-best 41 service aces and 1.53 digs per set
• Contributed a BYU rally-scoring era record 34 kills in a five-set win at Loyola Marymount and had a BYU all-time record for kills in a sweep with 27 against No. 24 Oregon

Other finalists: Shea Collinsworth (Women’s Track and Field), Alex White (Women’s Golf)

Floyd Johnson Service Award — Preston Jenkins (Men’s Swimming)

Given to a male or female athlete who makes a positive impact in the community and among his or her teammates.

Other finalists: Ellie Quakenbush (Women’s Track and Field), Kyle Dean (Baseball)

Kimball Memorial Award — Matt Denkers (Men’s Diving)

Given to the BYU athlete with the highest grade point average.

Other Awards

Coach of the Year — Mike Littlewood (Baseball)

Assistant Coach of the Year — Brogan Evanson (Gymnastics)

Men’s Team of the Year — Men’s Cross Country and Volleyball (Tie)

Women’s Team of the Year — Women’s Volleyball

Men’s Team GPA — Men’s Cross Country

Women’s Team GPA — Women’s Golf