Seniors Maria Yoder and R.J. Ocampo were the 2019 recipients of Eastern Mennonite University’s highest student-athlete honor, the President’s Award. The recipients most exemplified the values of the athletic department through academic achievement, athletic contribution, Christian commitment, leadership, campus involvement and service.
They accepted their awards at the April 25 banquet, an event which celebrates EMU’s senior student-athletes and also includes awards for Academic Achievement, Freshman of the Year and Athlete of the Year.
Click here to watch the video of the Athletic Honors Banquet.
Yoder, a volleyball player from Manheim, Pennsylvania, is a biology major with minors in honors and psychology. Her academic and athletic honors include the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team (2018); Blue Jay Classic All-Tournament Team (2018); EMU Academic Achievement Award for the highest GPA on the women’s volleyball team; CoSIDA Academic All-District Team (2017); ODAC All-Academic Team (2016-17); ODAC All-Academic Team (2015-16); and two Royals Athlete of the Week awards in 2016 and 2018.
Ocampo, a volleyball player from Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a biology major with minors in chemistry and psychology. Ocampo is also a 2019 Cords of Distinction honoree, the most prestigious recognition EMU awards. He played on the 2018 USA D-III volleyball team in Brazil, and was named to the CVC All-Academic Team three consecutive years from 2016-18.
Athlete of the Year
Laurie Serrell, a nursing and Spanish major from Harrisonburg, Virginia, was Female Athlete of the Year. She was All-ODAC Second Team in cross country and All-ODAC Third Team Outdoor 4x400m Relay in 2018. She was also Royals Athlete of the Week.
Grant Amoateng, a social work major from Bristow, Virginia, was Male Athlete of the Year. A triple jumper, Amoateng’s outdoor track season continues. He was All-ODAC Third Team Outdoor Triple Jump and ODAC Field Athlete of the Week (April 1-7, 2019) for the current season. In indoor track, he finished 11th in NCAA indoor nationals, and was All-South/Southeast Region Indoor Triple Jump, ODAC Champion and All-ODAC First Team Indoor Triple Jump, and ODAC Field Athlete of the Week (Nov. 26 – Dec. 2, 2018). He was Royals Athlete of the Week as well.
Freshman of the Year
Skylar Hedgepeth, a field hockey player from Smithfield, Virginia, was named Female Freshman of the Year. The elementary education major was All-ODAC Third Team for the 2018 season.
Alijah Johnson, a track and field athlete from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was named Male Freshman of the Year. The graphic design major specializes in the sprints.
Academic Achievement Awards
The following athletes earned academic achievement awards for top GPA on each athletic team:
Baseball: Bailey Hall, junior
Men’s Basketball: Christian Hansen, senior, and Travis Clower, senior
Women’s Basketball: Chrissy Delawder, junior
Women’s Cross Country: Elizabeth Nisly, junior
Men’s Cross Country: Collin Longenecker, junior
Field Hockey: Rachel Musselman, junior, and Madeline Mast, junior
Men’s Golf: Austin Sachs, senior
Women’s Golf: Olyvia Longacre, junior
Men’s Soccer: Erik Peachey, senior
Women’s Soccer: Sylvia Mast, senior
Softball: Rebekah (Beck) Hoskins, senior
Men’s Track & Field: Justin Odom, junior
Women’s Track & Field: Megan Good, junior
Men’s Volleyball: R.J. Ocampo, senior
Women’s Volleyball: Kate Kauffman, junior
