April 30, 2024

Zhao, Wykle bring home top honors at 11th annual Frosty Awards Ceremony

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman men's basketball's John Zhao and women's basketball's Braelyn Wykle brought home top honors as the Frosty Award winners for Male and Female Athlete of the Year, respectively, Tuesday evening at the 11th Annual Frosty Awards ceremony inside Carson-Newman's Gentry Auditorium.

VIDEO: 2024 Frosty Awards Ceremony

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman men's basketball's John Zhao and women's basketball's Braelyn Wykle brought home top honors as the Frosty Award winners for Male and Female Athlete of the Year, respectively, Tuesday evening at the 11th Annual Frosty Awards ceremony inside Carson-Newman's Gentry Auditorium.

Additionally, the women's basketball program captured team of the year.

The winners, finalists and award history is all below.

Male Athlete of the Year, John Zhao - Basketball

VIDEO: Male Athlete of the Year Finalists

One of three consensus all-region selections in the Southeast Region, Zhao turned in the most efficient effort in the SAC this season. He finished fifth in the league in scoring at 19.1 points per game while averaging 61.5 percent shooting from the field and 52.5 percent shooting from three. He ranked 10th nationally in efficiency while topping the nation in three-point efficiency. His five 30-point games this season are the second-most in Carson-Newman's NCAA era.

Other finalists: Hunter Harritan (Baseball), Marnix Van Dalen (Tennis), Major Williams (Football)

Past winners:

2014: Ross Frame (Men's Soccer)

2015: Andy Hibbett (Football)

2016: Damian Baker (Football)

2017: Charles Clark (Basketball)

2018: Tanner Stepp (Track and Field)

2019: Luke Greer (Cross Country)

2020: Devon Moore (Track and Field), Desmond Fairell (Football)

2021: Brayden Coe (Baseball)

2022: Jonathan Nielsen (Golf)

2023: Maka Charamba (Track and Field)

2024: John Zhao (Basketball)

Female Athlete of the Year, Braelyn Wykle - Basketball

VIDEO: Female Athlete of the Year Finalists

Braelyn Wykle earned First-team All-American honors to become the program's second-ever three-time All-American. The graduate student guard led Carson-Newman in scoring. She averaged 19 points per game and made 107 three-pointers to set the school and conference's single-season record. The guard finishes her Lady Eagles career as the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,782 career points. That scoring mark ranks second in South Atlantic Conference history and fourth all-time on the DII scoring list.

Other Finalists: Macauley Bailey (Softball), Sade de Sousa (Track and Field), Kadidja Sangare (Track and Field)

Past Winners:

2014: Kelli Hensley (Softball)

2015: Rachel Harper (Volleyball)

2016: Margaret Stansberry (Swimming)

2017: Lauren Wade (Women's Soccer)

2018: Lauren Wade (Women's Soccer)

2019: Averi Williams (Women's Soccer)

2020: Kayla Marosites (Basketball)

2021: Braelyn Wykle (Basketball)

2022: Emily Harris (Softball)

2023: Manon Compagner (Swimming)

2024: Braelyn Wykle (Basketball)

Team of the Year - Women's Basketball

VIDEO: Team of the Year Finalists

The Lady Eagles earned their 13th trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2023-24, heading to postseason play for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. C-N received the number two overall seed in the championships, its highest seeding since 2018. Carson-Newman's incredible journey included trips to both the SAC Championship game and the Southeast Regional title game. The Lady Eagles finished top ten nationally in assist to turnover ratio, assists per game and in rebounds per game.

Other Finalists: Men's Tennis, Women's Soccer, Women's Track

Past winners:

2014: Men's Soccer

2015: Volleyball

2016: Volleyball

2017: Women's Soccer and Softball

2018: Women's Soccer

2019: Women's Soccer

2020: Volleyball

2021: Women's Swimming

2022: Men's Golf

2023: Women's Swimming

2024: Women's Basketball

Comeback of the Year - Baseball v. Tusculum

VIDEO: Comeback of the Year Finalists Video

Down to its final nine outs in game two, Carson-Newman rallied from down 8-0 to sweep a doubleheader with Tusculum on March 2nd. Carson-Newman's comeback matches the biggest come from behind win since facing the same deficit against Brevard in 2010. The Eagles had just one hit through four innings but found an offensive groove the next two innings. RBI hits with two outs from Dalton McLain and Will Gibbs made it an 8-3 game after five. A 1-2-3 top of the sixth set the stage for a seven-run sixth inning. Harrison Travis clutched up with his fifth career triple to left center to plate the go-ahead runs.

Other Finalists: Men's Basketball v. King, Softball at Limestone, Women's Soccer v. Tusculum

Past winners:

2014: Women's Basketball and Whitney Kyle at Newberry

2015: Women's Golf at the SAC Championships

2016: Men's Basketball at Newberry

2017: Women's Tennis v. Newberry

2018: Volleyball v. Anderson

2019: Women's Basketball at Newberry

2020: Softball at Tusculum

2021: Football at UVA Wise

2022: Women's Basketball at Anderson

2023: Softball v. Tusculum

2024: Baseball v. Tusculum

Female Performance of the Year, Braelyn Wykle - Basketball

VIDEO: Female Performance of the Year Finalists Video

Braelyn Wykle's final home game in Holt Fieldhouse was a record-breaking one. She scored a career-high 45 points on 13 made three-pointers. Against Mars Hill, she reset the program's record for three-pointers made in a single game. 23 of her 45 points came in the third quarter, including a stretch where she scored 15 straight points for C-N. Her 45 points are the second most in school and South Atlantic Conference history.

Other finalists: Blair Cherry (Volleyball), Emma Frost (Softball), Hannah Holland (Golf)

Past Winners:

2014: Tiana Mills (Track and field)

2015: Kristen Pickett (Volleyball)

2016: Alli Webster (Softball)

2017: Elizabeth England (Golf)

2018: Maggie Melhorn (Swimming)

2019: Haris Price (Basketball)

2020: Kayla Marosites (Basketball)

2021: CJ Jensen (Swimming)

2022: Kailee Morgan (Swimming)

2023: Manon Compagner (Swimming)

2024: Braelyn Wykle (Basketball)

Upset of the Year - Men's Tennis v. #30 Tusculum

VIDEO: Upset of the Year Finalists Video

Heading into the match against its in-state rival, C-N had not beat Tusculum since 2006 in the SAC Tournament. That changed on April 9th. Despite dropping the doubles point, the Eagles went on to win five of six singles matches to secure the win. All of C-N's wins came in straight sets, dominating the Pioneers en route to a top-30 victory.

Other Finalists: Softball v. #19 Lenoir-Rhyne, Baseball v. Catawba, Women's Tennis v. #31 Newberry

Past Winners:

2014: Men's Basketball v. #7 LMU

2015: Men's Basketball v. #1 LMU

2016: Women's Basketball v. #6 Columbus State

2017: Baseball v. #15 Catawba

2018: Baseball v. #2 Belmont Abbey

2019: Baseball v. #9 Newberry

2020: Baseball v. #1 Tampa

2021: Women's Tennis v. #18 Queens

2022: Men's Soccer v. #11 Limestone

2023: Football v. #9 Newberry

2024: Men's Tennis v. #30 Tusculum

Male Newcomer of the Year, Trey Hubbard - Basketball

VIDEO: Male Newcomer of the Year Finalists Video

A premier point guard in the Southeast Region, Hubbard finished fourth in the league in assists. Hubbard finished the season averaging 5.0 assists per game, the 12^th time in school history a player has handed out five or more a game. Hubbard averaged 16 points per game, topping 20 points on nine occasions. He turned in two double-doubles with points and assists on the season, something that had only been done twice before in the last 15 years for the Eagles.

Other finalists: Ben Dukes (Soccer), Christian Hicks (Football), Amine Kasmi (Track and Field)

Past Winners:

2014: Ross Frame (men's soccer)

2015: Tanner Stepp (Track and Field)

2016: Kevin Snead (Track and Field)

2017: Shaun Jones (Basketball)

2018: Dillon Cate (Baseball)

2019: Mike Wroth (Baseball)

2020: Braxton Westfield (Football)

2021: Joseph Oreva (Track and Field)

2022: DeQuan Dudley (Football)

2023: Hayden Hunneke (Golf)

2024: Trey Hubbard (Basketball)

Male Performance of the Year, Nick Brenegan - Basketball

VIDEO: Male Performance of the Year Finalists

Brenegan was named national player of the week on Jan. 9 following a historic performance against Newberry. The junior guard torched Newberry for 64 points, canning 18-of-27 threes. He singlehandedly outscored Newberry in the Eagles' 103-51 win. The 64 points reset the Carson-Newman and South Atlantic Conference single-game scoring record. marks just the fifth 60-point night in NCAA Division II since 1975 and the 15th if you include Division I. Overall, Brenegan's night was the 15th-highest scoring night in Division II history. He broke the NCAA Division I and II records for threes made in a game with 18. He also matched the DII record for consecutive threes made, stroking 10 straight at one point.

Other Finalists: Cade Meeks (Football), Harrison Travis (Baseball), John Zhao (Basketball)

Past Winners:

2014: De'Andre Thomas (Football)

2015: Charles Clark (Men's Basketball)

2016: Andrew Hall (Men's Golf)

2017: Charles Clark (Men's Basketball)

2018: Tom Forster (Men's Golf)

2019: Tom Forster (Men's Golf)

2020: Tom Forster (Men's Golf)

2021: Tripp Davis (Men's Basketball)

2022: Elliot Macgregor (Men's Golf)

2023: Braxton Westfield (Football)

2024: Nick Brenegan (Men's Basketball)

Play of the Year - Abbi Martin - Softball

VIDEO: Play of the Year Finalists

Abbi Martin's game-clinching diving grab to beat #19 Lenoir-Rhyne

Other Finalists: Jack Browder (Men's Basketball), Mitchell Honcoop (Men's Soccer), Braelyn Wykle (Women's Basketball)

Past Winners:

2014: Rachel Harper (volleyball)

2015: Rurik Pereira (Men's Soccer)

2016: Zack Pangallo (Men's Basketball)

2017: Jake Headrick (Men's Golf)

2018: Tanner Stepp (Track and Field)

2019: Devon Moore (Track and Field)

2020: Braxton Westfield (Football)

2021: Charlie Brown, Micah Genter and Matt Parkinson (Baseball)

2022: Ryan Potts, Micah Genter and Matt Parkinson (Baseball)

2023: Maka Charamba (Track & Field) and Manon Compagner (Swimming)

2024: Abbi Martin (Softball)

Female Newcomer of the Year, Emma Frost - Softball

VIDEO: Female Newcomer of the Year Finalists

Emma Frost tallied 16 wins in the circle for the Eagles in the regular season against just three losses en route to all-SAC honors. The Lincoln Memorial transfer struck out 148 in the regular season to finish in the top four in the SAC. She has struck out at least eight in five of her appearances.

Other Finalists: Alba Delgado (Soccer), Paige Halcrow (Beach Volleyball), Brooklyn Lucero (Softball)

Past Winners:

2014: Combined male and female newcomer of the year was presented to men's soccer's Ross Frame

2015: Elizabeth England (Women's Golf)

2016: Jules Herrity (Soccer)

2017: Lauren Wade (Soccer)

2018: Kayla Marosites (Basketball)

2019: Allison Rager (Softball)

2020: Kaina Roehrkasse (Volleyball)

2021: Lindsey Taylor (Basketball)

2022: Emily Harris (Softball)

2023: Sade De Sousa (Track and Field)

2024: Emma Frost (Softball)

Coach of the Year, David Needs - Women's Track

VIDEO: Coach of the Year Finalists

For the first time in program history, Needs helped coach Carson-Newman's women's program to a bronze medal finish at the SAC Championship Meet. Additionally, 2024 marked the first year in the history of the C-N track and field program that two women brought home first team All-America honors at the NCAA indoor championships. Sade de Souza did so in the 60 meters, while Kadidja Sangare made it happen in the long jump.

Other Finalists: Chuck Benson (Men's Basketball), Simon Duffy (Women's Soccer), Mike Mincey (Women's Basketball)

Past Winnners:

2014: Richard Moodie (men's soccer)

2015: Vickee Kazee-Hollifield (Softball)

2016: Richard Moodie (women's soccer)

2017: Vickee Kazee-Hollifield (Softball)

2018: Simon Duffy (Women's Soccer) and Mike Mincey (Women's Basketball)

2019: Simon Duffy (Women's Soccer)

2020: Stephen Lyons (Men's Soccer)

2021: Chuck Benson (Men's Basketball)

2022: Randy Wylie (Men's Golf)

2023: Ben Young (Women's Swimming)

2024: David Needs (Women's Track)

Male Freshman of the Year, Mekhi Brown - Football

VIDEO: Male Freshman of the Year Finalists

Brown turned in a stellar freshman campaign that saw him earn conference player of the week honors on two occasions before being named the league's defensive freshman of the year. Brown led Carson-Newman with 71 tackles. He also tallied 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, picked off two passes, recovered two fumbles and blocked a kick. He was the first freshman recognized with a weekly honor from the SAC in five years, while also becoming the first player in more than 15 years to go back-to-back as a player of the week for the league for C-N.

Other Finalists: Daniel de Oliveira (Swimming), Logan Floyd (Baseball), Maxime Wester (Soccer)

Past Winners:

2014: No award given

2015: No award given

2016: Carson Wise (Football)

2017: Tom Forster (Golf)

2018: Devon Moore (Track and Field)

2019: Matt George (Swimming)

2020: Christian Shouse (Track and Field)

2021: Ren Dyer (Basketball)

2022: Elliot Macgregor (Golf)

2023: Tyree Nelson (Football)

2024: Mekhi Brown (Football)

Female Freshman of the Year, Blair Cherry - Volleyball

VIDEO: Female Freshman of the Year Finalists

Cherry played in thirty matches this season as a freshman setter. She averaged 6.82 assists per set and 2.25 digs per set. Cherry's performance against Wingate tied for seventh highest count of assists in a five set match in school history with 52. She handed out 40 assists in a match on five separate occasions and had 11 double-doubles.

Other Finalists: Trinity Brooks (Softball), Krista Nielsen (Soccer), Suryanshi (Tennis)

Past Winners:

2014: No award given

2015: No award given

2016: Varin Ness (Soccer)

2017: Lacie Rinus (Softball)

2018: CJ Jensen (Swimming)

2019: Maeve Cummins (Golf)

2020: Manon Compagner (Swimming) and Braelyn Wykle (Basketball)

2021: Macey Hughes (Softball)

2022: Hayden Dye (Softball)

2023: Macauley Bailey (Softball)

2024: Blair Cherry (Volleyball)

Team Performance of the Year, Women's Basketball v. Anderson

VIDEO: Team Performance of the Year Finalists

Battling Anderson for the fourth time, Carson-Newman made a statement in the Southeast Regional semifinals, The Lady Eagles rolled to a 20-point victory to move into the Sweet 16. C-N trailed by six points after the first quarter and then flipped the switch from the start of the second quarter on. Once C-N grabbed the lead a few minutes into the second, it never relinquished it. Mincey's Machine outscored the Trojans 57-31 in the final three quarters. Carson-Newman held Anderson to a season-low 54 points, 24 below the Troajns season average. It's the fewest points allowed by C-N in an NCAA tournament game in program history. Braelyn Wykle erupted for 31 points while Campbell Penland pitched in 15 points and reached 1,000 career points in the win.