General | 5/8/2020 10:56:00 AM

Alcorn Honors Student-Athletes with End-of-Year Awards

LORMAN, Miss. – In lieu of its annual awards banquet dinner that could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alcorn State University department of athletics published its 2019-20 award winners on Friday.
 
Each year, Alcorn coaches distinguish a Team MVP and Most Improved Student-Athlete from their respective programs.
 
Additionally, a men's and women's Brave Award, Sportsmanship Award and Freshman of the Year were voted on by members of the department. These awards were merited by contributions on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
 
"Although we weren't able to hold our annual dinner in-person, we still wanted to acknowledge our student-athletes for their contributions and achievements from this past year. Our student-athletes have done a tremendous job representing the University, and were able to adjust midway through the spring semester to strive academically," said director of athletics Derek Horne. "I'm appreciative of all the student-athletes, coaches and staff members who are so dedicated to the success of Alcorn."
 
The men's Brave Award went to senior Solomon Muhammad from the football program. The Birmingham, Alabama native was a STATS FCS All-America Third-Team honoree and was named to the HBCU All-America First-Team and SWAC All-Conference First-Team. He wrapped-up 87 tackles to go along with a team-high 11 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. 
 
The women's Brave Award was earned by junior Mireya Gonzalez from women's soccer. The Los Angeles, California product led the Lady Braves in points, goals, assists, shots and shots on goal this season. She was named to the All-Conference Second-Team. Gonzalez currently ranks second all-time in program history in assists and sixth in both goals and points.
 
The Sportsmanship Awards were presented to senior Corey Tillery from men's basketball and junior Jamaysha Bernard from women's basketball. Both student-athletes displayed a high-level of integrity and persistent courage toward teammates, coaches, officials and opponents throughout the season.
 
Lucas Dini from men's tennis was named the men's Freshman of the Year. Despite the shortened season, Dini won six singles matches and was 2-0 in conference. He registered straight-set victories over Eastern Illinois, Florida A&M, Mississippi Valley State, Alabama A&M, UT Rio-Grande Valley and Mississippi College.
 
The women's Freshman of the Year was Runelda Jackson from track & field. Jackson broke the school record in the indoor 5000m with a time of 19:18.96. At the indoor SWAC Championships, she posted a top-five finish in the 5000m to pick-up four points for the Lady Braves and also placed 11th in the 3000m.
 
Brave Award
Solomon Muhammad, Football
Mireya Gonzalez, Women's Soccer
 
Sportsmanship Award
Corey Tillery, Men's Basketball
Jamaysha Bernard, Women's Basketball
 
Freshmen of the Year
Lucas Dini, Men's Tennis
Runelda Jackson, Women's Track & Field
 
Team MVP
Volleyball: Jasmine Chambers
Soccer: Mireya Gonzalez
Football: Felix Harper
Cheerleading: Alleon Thigpen
Women's Basketball: Kirdis Clark
Men's Basketball: Troymain Crosby
Baseball: Travaris Cole
Women's Tennis: Stefany Grlj
Men's Tennis: Stojan Stojanovski
Softball: Every student-athlete on the team
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field: Bralon Robinson
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field: DeKari Courtney
 
Most Improved
Volleyball: Simone Barren
Soccer: Paula Sole Cabeza
Football: Darrell Henderson
Cheerleading: Tanisha Ramsey & Tyshawn Tucker
Women's Basketball: Kirdis Clark
Men's Basketball: Deshaw Andrews
Baseball: Jake Kieffer
Women's Tennis: Sofia Ievleva
Men's Tennis: Kareem Bowe
Softball: Maley Stein
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field: Marcus Sims
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field: Candace Baity
 
#FearTheBrave | #UnitedAsOne