NORFOLK, Va. – Senior football player Don Carey (Norfolk, Va.) and junior tennis player Stepanka Velebova (Tachov, Czech Republic) were named Norfolk State Male and Female Athlete of the Year, respectively, at the school's athletic banquet on Tuesday night.
Velebova also won the department's Scholar Athlete Award, given to the upperclassman with the highest GPA.
Carey was a second-team All-MEAC performer this season after tying for the conference lead with five interceptions. Carey, who was also a three-time NSU and MEAC All-Academic Team member, became the first football player in school history to be invited to the East-West Shrine Game this past season. He was also the first Spartan since 2003 to participate in the NFL Combine. Carey, a building construction technology major with a 3.32 GPA, was a representative this year on the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Velebova was a second-team All-MEAC performer for the Spartan women's tennis team. She compiled a 7-3 singles mark, all at the No. 1 position. She went 6-4 in doubles play, also at No. 1, with teammate Lerissa Morris. Velebova currently has a 3.92 GPA and majors in business finance.
The banquet also featured WAVY TV sports anchor Chris Reckling as the master of ceremonies, while Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith gave the keynote address.
Male Athlete of the Year: Don Carey, football
Female Athlete of the Year: Stepanka Velebova, women's tennis
Scholar Athlete of the Year: Stepanka Velebova, women's tennis
Community/Alumni Awards
Rosa Alexander Scholarship (athlete with min. GPA: 3.0): Hasan Craig, football
Mid-Atlantic Coca-Cola Awards (Players of the Year): Michael Deloach, men's basketball; Marquilla Evans, women's basketball; Dario Walker, football
Optima Family Care Women's Basketball Defensive Player Award: Tashawna Higgins
Samuel F. Coppage Award (football, top OL): Jamien Banks
Walter M. Kindred Award (football, top DL): Dennis Marsh
Vince Lombardi Award (football; leadership, character, academics, and ability): Don Carey
Joseph G. Echols Award (baseball player, for academics and achievement): Jerrod Farley
Joseph G. Echols Memorial Scholarship (senior who is attending grad. school): Shardonay Blueford, volleyball
Barbara B. Wright Award (outstanding women's track athlete): Cheri Hodges
Jimmy Johnson (outstanding men's track athlete): Trayman Hill
Marvin Prince Track Awards (outstanding track athletes): Wanetta Kirby, Aramis Massenburg
Individual Sports Team Awards
Men's Cross Country
Outstanding Freshman: Josef Tessema
Most Improved: Dominic Luka
MVP: Keenan Harris
Men's Track and Field
Outstanding Freshman: Quinten Walker
Most Improved: Corey Vinston
MVP: Marlon Woods
Women's Cross Country
Rookie of the Year: Jamia Hutto
Coaches Award: Tia Miles
MVP: Jennifer Chichester
Women's Track and Field
Rookie of the Year: Katie Wright
Most Improved: Tierra Flowers
MVP: Victoria Faulkner
Football
Coaches Award (Offense): DeAngelo Branche
Coaches Award (Defense): Terrell Whitehead
Women's Volleyball
Outstanding Freshman: Breanna Allums
Most Improved: Angie Clewis
MVP: Nicole Kessner
Men's Basketball
Coaches Award: Kevin Worsley
Co-MVPs: Corey Lyons, Michael Deloach
Women's Basketball
Outstanding Freshman: Marquilla Evans
Most Improved: Sasha Wilson
Senior Award: Tashawna Higgins
Women's Bowling
Most Improved: Antoinette Drakeford
Rookie of the Year: Sheila Smith
MVP: Cathryn Myrick
Men's Tennis
Unsung Hero: Petr Krakora
MVP: Miroslav Vlcek
Women's Tennis
Co-MVPs: Lerissa Morris, Stepanka Velebova
Softball
TBA at a later date
Baseball
Outstanding Freshman: Ryan Shook
Most Improved: Juan Herrera
MVP: Anselmo Cantu
