STOCKSTILL, GOTCHER GET PRESIDENT'S AWARD AT RCA'S

6TH ANNUAL EVENT HONORS STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS

@MTAthletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- Football's Brent Stockstill and golf's Samantha Gotcher were the big winners at the 6th Annual Raiders' Choice Awards on Thursday night at Tucker Theatre. The year-end "Academy Awards"-style show highlighted all the academic and athletic accomplishments of the Blue Raider student-athletes in their fourth year of competition in Conference USA.

Stockstill and Gotcher were honored with the True Blue President's Award, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a current MT student-athlete who epitomizes all that is good in intercollegiate athletics. Presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete, the President's Award recognizes outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments, university/community service and leadership.

Stockstill and Gotcher both have excelled in the classroom. Stockstill has already earned his degree in leisure sport and tourism with a 3.6 GPA to go with a perfect 4.0 in graduate studies. Gotcher owns a 3.9 GPA in speech language pathology and will graduate in May.

"This is always the highlight of the year when we can recognize the accomplishments of our student-athletes both in the classroom and in their respective sport," said Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. "This was another special night and I want to thank everyone involved. We have had such an incredible year with a number of outstanding team and individual accomplishments and we can't wait to do it again next year."

Academically, the Student-Athlete Enhancement Center award went to Tanner McDivitt (baseball) and Shaina Johnson (track). The highest team GPA was awarded to women's tennis for spring 2016 and men's tennis for the fall.

In the individual categories, basketball standouts Reggie Upshaw and JaCorey Williams were voted Co-Male Athletes of the Year, while women's basketball star Ty Petty was honored as the Female Athlete of the Year.

The Male and Female Newcomer of the Year awards went to Agnes Abu of women's track and men's cross country's Jacob Choge. Abu is a three-time track athlete of the week winner, while also excelling in cross country where she tallied a win and a second place finish. Choge was the NCAA South Regional and C-USA cross country champion. He also became the first All-American in program history and was ranked seventh nationally.

The Breakout Performer of the Year awards went to Abike Egbeniyi (women's track) and I'Tavius Mathers (football). Egbeniyi earned First Team All-American honors during the indoor season, has twice been named C-USA Athlete of the Week and set a new school record in the 800 meters. Mathers, a First Team All-C-USA selection, became the first player in FBS history to rush for over 1,500 yards, have more than 500 yards receiving and catch over 60 passes in a single season.

The Make A Difference Award went to two individuals. Luke Denson became a member of the Middle Tennessee Baseball team when he signed with the Blue Raiders through a partnership with Team Impact in 2014. Blue Raider Baseball players have spent time during the last three years with Denson, who suffers from Schwachman-Diamond Syndrome – a life-threating disease. Men's Basketball was also recognized with a Make A Difference Award for the relationship that was developed between Reggie Upshaw and Eli Deml, a youngster diagnosed with autism who developed a fondness for the team through music.

Fans determined the winners of the Play of the Year, Performance of the Year, and the Game/Event of the Year by voting on GoBlueRaiders.com. The Play of the Year was basketball's Reggie Upshaw hitting a three-pointer with 6:24 remaining against Minnesota to allow the Raiders to regain momentum and cruise the NCAA Tournament first-round win. Football's Richie James won the Performance of the Year award after becoming just the sixth player in FBS history to have 200 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game when he notched 207 on the ground and 120 receiving yards against FAU. The Game/Event of the Year was the Blue Raider men's basketball upset over Minnesota in Milwaukee during the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Director's Cup Award was won by baseball for leading the way in the department's 4,370.4 hours of service. This award was created to recognize the student-athletes who go above and beyond and who demonstrate an unselfish attitude toward their team, family and community. The team who has earned the most points throughout the year in academic achievement, community outreach, and personal development, take home this prestigious award.

Numerous athletes were also recognized for their academic honors and All-American accolades.

2017 RAIDERS CHOICE AWARDS WINNERS

PRESIDENTS AWARD (MALE): Brent Stockstill, football
PRESIDENTS AWARD (FEMALE): Samantha Gotcher, golf
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Reggie Upshaw & JaCorey Williams, basketball
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Ty Petty, basketball
MALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Jacob Choge, cross country
FEMALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Agnes Abu, track
FEMALE BREAKOUT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Abike Egbeniyi, track
MALE BREAKOUT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: I'Tavius Mathers, football
ALL-AMERICANS: John Ampomah (Javelin) - 1st Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Eliud Rutto (800 Meters) - 1st Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Sampson Laari (800 Meters) - 1st Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Phillip Smith (Triple Jump) - 2nd Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Atsu Nayamadi (Decathlon) - 2nd Team All-American (2016 Outdoor); Blake Benefield - Freshman All-American; Jacob Choge- All-American (2016 Cross Country); Richie James - All-American (Third Team); Ty Lee - Freshman All-American (1st Team); Sampson Laari (Mile Run) - 1st Team All-American (2016-17 Indoor); Abike Egbeniyi (800 Meter Run) - 1st Team All-American (2016-17 Indoor); Eliud Rutto (800 Meter Run) - 2nd Team All-American (2016-17 Indoor); Agnes Abu (800 Meter Run) - 2nd Team All-American (2016-17 Indoor)
 
SAEC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Male: Tanner McDivitt, baseball; Shaina Johnson, track
MAKE A DIFFERENCE AWARD: Luke Denison, MT Baseball; Eli Deml, Men's Basketball
 
DIRECTOR'S CUP: Baseball
TEAM GPA AWARD/SPRING 2016: Women's Tennis (3.558)
TEAM GPA AWARD/FALL 2016: Men's Tennis (3.549)
GAME/EVENT OF THE YEAR: Men's Basketball's upset over Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament, 81-72
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: Football's Richie James became just the sixth player in NCAA history to have 200 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game when he notched 207 on the ground and 120 receiving yards against FAU
PLAY OF THE YEAR: After allowing Minnesota to close the gap to 4 points with under seven minutes remaining in MT's NCAA Tournament first round contest, senior Reggie Upshaw drained a triple with 6:24 remaining to open the lead back up to seven and give the momentum back to the Blue Raiders. Upshaw went on to hit the next two baskets for MT as the Raiders cruised to a nine-point win and their second consecutive NCAA second round appearance.