JAMESTOWN – Due to the recent pandemic that has swept across the nation and globe, the Jamestown Community College Athletics annual Hawkie Awards through social media.
Among those honored were sophomore’s Jakob Moore of the men’s soccer team and Jesse Zenns of the women’s basketball team, who were named 2020 recipients of the inaugural Ultimate Jayhawk Award.
The Ultimate Jayhawk Award is an honor that recognizes the achievements of a male and female student-athlete at Jamestown Community College who “displays excellence in both academics and athletics while providing service and leadership in the community.”
Moore had an outstanding season in net for the Jayhawks, helping the team to their best record since 2012. With his outstanding play on the field, Moore was named to the All-WNYAC Second Team as he made 144 saves on the year which ranked third in Region III. Moore also finished with a save percentage of .823, ranking sixth in Region III. His stellar play this past season has helped him earn a NCAA Division I scholarship to play at Dixie State University, a member of the Western Athletic Conference.
In his spare time, Moore worked with the JCC Marketing Department on many projects to help increase student engagement. Moore was also seen at many JCC athletic events, sitting courtside to take photos that are scene on the JCC Athletics social media accounts and on jccjayhawks.com.
Zenns was one of a few returners from a season ago, looking to bring the leadership to the team on and off the court. Zenns posted multiple career-highs during the season, including scoring 15 points against Corning Community College. On the boards, Zenns grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds and collected eight blocks in a game against the Community College at Beaver County. Zenns also helped the Jayhawks earn a home win against Erie Community College in the Region III Sub Regional game.
In the classroom, Zenns excelled and was inducted into Alpha Kappa Beta, the JCC chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa. Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for two-year college students. Phi Theta Kappa is active on 1,300 community college campuses with over 250,000 active members. To get inducted, students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 along with receiving invitation from the membership chapter.
An active member of the community, Zenns participated in every community service function associated with JCC and the women’s basketball team. Zenns also served as a volunteer coach with the Chautauqua Fusion AAU basketball program the past two seasons.
Other female finalist for the Ultimate Jayhawk Award were: Maci Johnson, softball, and Jenna Caksey, volleyball.
Other male finalist for the Ultimate Jayhawk Award were: Michael Andalora, men’s soccer; Dan Torres, wrestling; and Donathan Daniels, men’s basketball.
Also recognized were the following student-athlete award winners:
Female Freshman of the Year: Gabby Iuculano.
Iuculano had a great first season with the Jayhawks, earning Region III Division II All-Region First Team honors. Iuculano scored a career-high 29 points against Butler Community College while scoring 20 or more points in five games. During the season, Iuculano averaged 15 points per game, ranking fifth in the region.
Other finalist for Female Freshman of the Year were: Renee Szymanski, softball; Karleigh Haines, volleyball; Brittyn LeBaron, softball; and Hannah Sholl, women’s soccer.
Male Freshman of the Year: Jordan Thomas.
Thomas was dominate on the court for the Jayhawks, earning Region III Division II All-Region Second Team honors. During his freshman season, averaged 18.7 points per game while scoring a career-high 31 points against Butler Community College. Thomas also got the job done on the boards, grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds against Genesee Community College. Thomas stayed consistent on both ends of the floor, finishing with six double-doubles on the year.
Other finalist for Male Freshman of the Year: Jesse da Costa, men’s soccer; Axel Richardson, men’s soccer; Taige Jones, wrestling; Billy Harmon, baseball; and Luuk Wilemsen, men’s soccer.
Female Sophomore of the Year: Jenna Caskey.
Caskey continued on a strong first year with the Jayhawks, earning NJCAA DIII All-American First Team honors. Caskey cleaned house in other awards from the conference and region, receiving NJCAA Region III Player of the Year, All-Region First Team, NJCAA Region III Championship Tournament MVP, WNYAC Player of the Year, and All-WNYAC Team. Caskey helped the Jayhawks earn their third-straight berth into the NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament with her strong play. Individually, Caskey ranked second in service aces with 93 and sixth in kills with 434.
Other finalist for Female Sophomore of the Year: Sutton Dalryple, women’s soccer and softball; and Jesse Zenns, women’s basketball.
Male Sophomore of the Year: Dan Torres.
Torres had one of the most historic seasons as a Jayhawk, breaking the record for most wins in a season with a record of 42-8. During his historic season, Torres placed at multiple invitationals and opens where he faced competition from other NJCAA schools along with wrestlers from NCAA Divisions I, II and III. With his performance on the mat, Torres ascended up the rankings to the No. 1 wrestler in the 174 pound weight class. Torres earned a trip to nationals after a second place finish at the Eastern District I Championships. At nationals, Torres defeated many of the top wrestlers in his weight class but would finish as the national runner-up, earning All-America status.
Other finalist for Male Sophomore of the Year: Evan Harrison, baseball; Jakob Moore, men’s soccer; and Paul Tripi, baseball.
“Grind & Grit” Award: The purpose of the “Grind & Grit” Award is to recognize the athletes that had to overcome some sort of obstacle throughout the season. The inaugural winners are Samuel Visbel Navarro of the men’s soccer team and the entire softball team.
Visbel Navarro had some set backs at the beginning of the season but overcame the obstacles. Visbel Navarro saw action in 10 games while making two starts.
With the return of the softball program, the team never saw the field. The softball program had much adversity to overcome this season and made the most of their situation.
Other finalist for “Grind & Grit” Award: Maci Johnson, softball; Jennah Starkweather, volleyball; Renee Szymanski, volleyball, Otto Davidson, wrestling; Kane Kenyon, men’s basketball, Nick Brown, men’s soccer.
“Behind the Headlines” Award: the purpose of this award is to recognize the athletes that may have not shown up on the stat sheet but were just as important in the team’s success. The inaugural winners of the “Behind the Headlines” Award are Cameryn Hawkins from volleyball and Donathan Daniels of the men’s basketball team.
Hawkins was a game changer for the volleyball team this season. In many games, she was the difference in the team’s success as she ranked 10th in the nation in digs with 526.
As the lone returning sophomore, Daniels took on the leadership role with a team that was made mostly of freshman. Head Coach Xavier Churnac said “Donathan was an extension of the coaching staff while on the court.”
Other finalist for “Behind the Headlines” Award: Emma Wirsen, volleyball; Caitlyn Simmons, softball; Marisa Schuppenhauer, women’s basketball; Alex Beuke, men’s soccer; and Taige Jones, wrestling.
Teammate of the Year: These athletes were an extension of the coaching staff on the field, getting their teammates in the right place to succeed. This year’s winners for Teammate of the Year are Maci Johnson from softball and Michael Andalora from men’s soccer.
Jayhawk of the Year: These athletes were the vocal leaders of their respective teams. They were the first to practice and the last to leave, putting in the extra work to help get their teams to the next level. This year’s Jayhawk of the Year winners are Abi Lisciandro form women’s basketball and Paul Tripi from baseball.
Other finalist for Jayhawk of the Year: Aihzah Bunting, women’s soccer; Cameryn Hawkins, volleyball; Maci Johnson, softball; Jesse Zenns, women’s basketball; Hannah Sholl, women’s soccer; Jenna Caskey, volleyball; Evan Harrison, baseball; Jakob Moore, men’s soccer; and Dan Torres, wrestling.
Academic Awards: These athletes put the student in student-athlete, finishing the academic year with the highest grade points average. Chris Calladine of men’s soccer and Hannah Sholl have been awarded with the Freshman Scholar Athlete Award. Cameryn Hawkins of volleyball, Dan Mattock of men’s soccer and Dan Torres have been awarded with the Sophomore Scholar Athlete Award. The volleyball team held the highest gpa through the school year, being awarded with the Team GPA Award.
Coach Awards
Coaches Award: Jason Guillen, men’s basketball.
This is awarded to an athlete for being coachable, a supportive teammate, a positive influence and hard worker.
Everest Award: Adam Marzalen, men’s soccer.
This is awarded to an athlete that has taken on a challenge and kept climbing until they have overcame it.
Most Dedication: Otto Davidson, wrestling.
This is awarded to an athlete that has shown the passion and determination to get better at their sport.
Team MVP: Hannah Sholl, women’s soccer.
This is awarded to an athlete that took on the challenge of the coaching staff and excelled on the field of play.
Defensive Specialist: Marisa Schuppenhauer, women’s basketball.
This is awarded to an athlete that was tasked of taking on the opposing team’s best player and disturb their game plan.
Above & Beyond: Billy Harmon, baseball.
This is awarded to an athlete that was the ultimate team guy, asked questions to gain more knowledge and was a great teammate.
Brains of the Bunch: MacKenzie Watson, softball.
This is awarded to an athlete that has a wealth of knowledge on whatever the topic may have been during practice on any given day.
Never Give Up: Jennah Starkweather, volleyball.
This is awarded to an athlete that showed positivity everyday in practice while overcoming many obstacles along the way.
Congratulations to this year’s Hawkie winners!