Photo by Devin P. Grimes / MTSU Sidelines
Middle Tennessee State athletes of all realms came together Thursday night at the Tucker Theater in celebration of the Raiders’ Choice Awards. The sixth annual ESPY-like event honored athletes for their accomplishments both on and off the field.
From Player of the Year to Play of the Year, the athletes reminisced on a very special 2016-2017 athletic year.
But before the awards can be handed out, all must take part in one event: the Blue Carpet walk. Just like on TV, the young athletes don their very best and stroll across the path eager for interviews, while cutting up and looking to get their time in the spotlight.
A treat for all and memories for a lifetime, there is truly something magical about a red (or blue) carpet.
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
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: Richie James’s 207 yards rushing and 120 receiving yards against FAU
PLAY OF THE YEAR: Reggie Upshaw’s 3-pointer to extend the Blue Raider lead over Minnesota by seven with 6:24 remaining in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
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To contact Sports Editor Tyler Lamb (@Tlamb35), email [email protected]
