NCWU retires Harrison's jersey, honors athletes during awards ceremony

The North Carolina Wesleyan Department of Athletics celebrated the 2023-24 season by hosting its 59th Annual Awards Ceremony on April 22 in Minges Auditorium at the Dunn Center. Coaches, staff and student-athletes came together to celebrate the accomplishments of both individuals and teams from this academic year.

The night began with the Department of Athletics’ traditional awards. Among the athletes and teams honored, NCWU boasted 19 USA South All-Conference selections, three USA South Regular Season Championships and 28 USA South weekly award winners so far this year.

The department would honor every Non Four-Year, Four-Year and Fifth-Year Senior before handing out the prestigious NCWU Service Award and Sabiston Award.

The NCWU Athletic Service Award was presented to Candy Cashwell and the Sabiston Award was presented to men’s basketball student-athlete Jack Thompson.

The Sabiston Award is given to the athlete that best exemplifies the courage and character of Jim Sabiston, a longtime friend of the athletics program, and his wife, Susan, who carries on his legacy as a Bishop supporter.

The Athletic Department also had the honor of retiring the first jersey since 2008. Never again will No. 25 be worn by a women’s basketball athlete, as Kayrisma Harrison became only the second player in women’s basketball history to have her jersey retired.

From Weldon, N.C., Harrison left her mark on NCWU by being the all-time leading rebounder in program history along with having the highest field goal percentage in USA South history. The 1,000 career rebounder also was named the 2023-24 USA South Defensive Player of the Year and won one USA South Regular Season title and one USA South Conference Tournament Championship during her tenure as a Battling Bishop.

Below is a complete list of all honorees.

JERSEY RETIREMENT

No. 25 Kayrisma Harrison — Women’s Basketball

JIM SABISTON AWARD

Jack Thompson — Men’s Basketball

WESLEYAN ATHLETIC SERVICE AWARD

Candy Cashwell

FOOTBALL

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Sherfield Smith

Scholar-Athlete Award: Wilson McMinn

Offensive Most Valuable Player: Desmond Barnes

Defensive Most Valuable Player: R.J. Carter

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Victoria Farji

Scholar-Athlete Award: Vendela DolseniusMost Valuable Player: Samantha Dell

MEN’S SOCCER

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Nicolas Sautua

Scholar-Athlete Award: Agustin CardaciMost Valuable Player: Bastien Dechamps

VOLLEYBALL

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Amber Pierce

Scholar-Athlete Award: Emily ForakerMost Valuable Player: Sloan Martin

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Ayden HarperScholar-Athlete Award: Noah StrangeMost Valuable Runner: Emmanuel Carrillo-Mendez

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Mariah BrooksScholar-Athlete Award: Ti-Asia BryantMost Valuable Runner: Kamiyah Wooten

SPIRIT PROGRAM

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Quincy Packer

Scholar-Athlete Award: Maxima IglesiasMost Valuable Player: Jaycie Hadenott

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Johnay GoddardScholar-Athlete Award: Nadia SimmonsMost Valuable Player: Kayrisma Harrison

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Shakei Hines

Scholar-Athlete Award: Marquis EskewMost Valuable Player: Marquis Eskew

BASEBALL

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Hunter Pohl

Scholar-Athlete Award: Isaiah Zaino

GOLF

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Matthew ColtrenScholar-Athlete Award: Santiago LarumbeMost Valuable Player: Myles Patterson

LACROSSE

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Sarah WatersScholar-Athlete Award: Kelsi OyerMost Valuable Player: Lailah Espinal

SOFTBALL

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Breanne FallsScholar-Athlete Award: Molly Alejandrino

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Cristina Mendoza RomeroScholar-Athlete Award: Elisa MariottiMost Valuable Player: Andrea Elaez Miranda

MEN’S TENNIS

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Sean Keane

Scholar-Athlete Award: Julian PfeffermanMost Valuable Player: John Falke

MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Quincy Brown

Scholar-Athlete Award: Quincy BrownMost Valuable Runner: Desmond Barnes

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award: Kamiyah Wooten

Scholar-Athlete Award: Christian Van Norden

Most Valuable Runner: Kamiyah Wooten