BEAUMONT, Texas – Despite the fact that a handful of teams are still competing, Lamar University held its annual Cardinal Choice Awards Monday evening at the Setzer Center Ballroom. More than 400 student-athletes, coaches, administrators and dignitaries arrived to honor the highlights of the 2023-24 Lamar University athletics season.
 
The annual banquet, which was revitalized for the 2018-19 academic year, recognizes the accomplishments of the LU student-athletes for their work in the competition arena, classroom and community. 
 
From conference titles from three different teams, to All-America finishes in track and field, upset victories over nationally ranked teams in numerous sports, to go along with three different Cardinal squads ranked in nation's top 25, the Cardinals relived those moments Monday and honored the student-athletes and teams who made those moments reality.
 
Below is a list of the 2024 Award Winners:
Female Freshmen of the Year: Lyric Jordan (Volleyball)
Male Freshman of the Year: Nathan Woodham (Men's Golf)
Small Team GPA Award: Women's Golf (3.81 GPA)
Small Team GPA Award: Soccer (3.42 GPA)
Red Cup Award: Softball
Female Individual Performance of the Year: Nia Clatworthy, SLC Cross Country Individual Champ
Male Individual Performance of the Year: Cameron Chin, Breaks 47-year-old school record in 100m dash
Best Team Moment of the Year: Soccer Upsets of No. 17 Xavier & Women's Cross Country Named National Team of the Week
Best Individual Moment of the Year: Arely Alaniz scores game-winning goal on penalty kicks to send soccer to SLC Championship game.
Babe Didrikson Zaharias Award: Akasha Davis
Female Newcomers of the Year: Shenita Tucker, Softball
Male Newcomer of the Year: Thomas Knoop, Track & Field
Female Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year: Lineea Jerlebo, Golf
Male Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year: Kanin Dodge, Baseball
Female Comeback Athlete of the Year: Taisha Rhone, Volleyball
Male Comeback Athlete of the Year: Austin Neal, Baseball
Mary Gray Presidential Awards: Lucrezia Pavesi, Track & Field
John Gray Presidential Awards: Luke Bumpus, Baseball and Jacob Lindh, Men's Golf
Female Student Athlete of the Year: Akasha Davis, Women's Basketball
Male Student Athletes of the Year: Kenson Tate, Track & Field