NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State Athletics Department hosted its annual end-of-year banquet – The Spartan Choice Awards – on Monday night at Joseph Echols Hall.
 
A night filled with delicious food, exquisite outfits, and elegent decoration, the Spartan Choice Awards recognize the department's best performers and supporters, both on and off the court. Ross Gordon served as the master of ceremonies, eventually receiving the Spartan Award to wrap up the event.
 
The NSU basketball programs took the top prizes of the night, sweeping the Athlete of the Year awards. Kierra Wheler earned her second consecutive Female Athlete of the Year honor, before Jamarii Thomas was named Male Athlete of the Year.
 
Both of the primary academic awards went to competitors on the diamond, each carrying 4.0 grade point averages (GPAs) for the semester. Swaroop Pujari (baseball) earned the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor, while Ennovi Sandoval (softball) was named Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
Director of Athletics Melody Webb presented the statement of occasion for the evening, before Student-Athlete Advisor Council (SAAC) president Indya Richards delivered the invocation before dinner. Norfolk State president Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston gave the closing remarks for the night.
 
Award winners are listed below:
 
Male Athlete of the Year: Jamarii Thomas (Men's Basketball)
Female Athlete of the Year: Kierra Wheeler (Women's Basketball)
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Swaroop Pujari (Baseball)
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Ennovi Sandoval (Softball)
 
Marvin Prince Award: Indya Richards (Women's Track) and Isaac Haywood (Men's Track)
Athletic Director's Award of Excellence: Ashley Avery
Spartan Award: Ross Gordon
 
Volleyball
Most Valuable Player: Gabrielle Gilbert
Coaches Award: Sydney McCree
Rookie of the Year: Trinity Mitchell
 
Football
Most Valuable Player: RJ Coles
Most Improved: Devon Allen
Co-Rookies of the Year: AJ Richardson and Samuel Eskridge
 
Women's Track & Field
Most Valuable Player: Mercyline Kimaiyo
Most Improved: Brooklyn Robinson
Rookie of the Year: Yvone Sandui
 
Women's Cross Country
Most Valuable Player: Mercyline Kimaiyo
Most Improved: Ludjenie Mondesir
Rookie of the Year: Jahmei Wyatt
 
Men's Track & Field
Most Valuable Player: Victor Jumo
Most Improved: Premier Wynn
Rookie of the Year: Vincent Bond Jr.
 
Men's Cross Country
Most Valuable Player: Gidion Sigei
Most Improved: Victor Jumo
Rookie of the Year: Raphael Kitur
 
Bowling
Most Valuable Player: Kiersten Michel
Most Improved: LaShauna Burrus
Coaches Award: Kayla Barnes
 
Men's Basketball
Most Valuable Player: Jamarii Thomas
Most Improved: Tyrel Bladen
Rookie of the Year: Chris Fields Jr.
 
Women's Basketball
Co-Most Valuable Players: Kierra Wheeler Diamond Johnson
Coaches Award: Da'naijah Williams
Rookie of the Year: Anjanae Richardson
 
Men's Tennis
Most Valuable Player: Jakub Solarski
Most Improved: Frederick McRae
Rookie of the Year: Deniz Okyay
 
Women's Tennis
Most Valuable Player: Gabriela Davidescu
Most Improved: Isabella Cottrell
Rookie of the Year: Rookie of the Year
 
Baseball
Coaches Award: Noah Wiggins
 
Softball
Most Valuable Player: Rylie Gilbreath
Most Improved: Emma Zieg
Rookie of the Year: Maddy Morris
 
All-Academic Team
Swaroop Pujari, Baseball
Christian Ings, Men's Basketball
LaShauna Burrus, Bowling
Sage Beuchert-Irvine, Football
Nile Walker, Men's Track
Kailie Borque, Women's Track
Jakub Solarski, Men's Tennis
Amber Fuller, Women's Tennis
Ennovi Sandoval, Softball
Calyce Jones, Volleyball