NSU's Brightest Recognized at Annual Athletics Banquet

Scholar Athletes of the Year Miglena Dzhupanova (left) and Bryan Cook (right) with Athletics Director Michael Mominey.

Athletes of the Year Stephanie Sarosi and Romain Onteniente.

The 2008 NSU Athletics Banquet was held on Wednesday, April 30, at the Signature Grand in Davie, Fla. The festive evening honored the best and brightest student-athletes from Nova Southeastern University.

Following dinner and the 2007-08 season video recap, was the awards ceremony. Each of NSU's 15 athletic teams recognized their respective team MVP, Coach's Award winner and seniors. Students from the Athletic Training program were also recognized for their efforts in the program.

Highlighting the event was the presentation of the 2008 NSU Female and Male Athlete of the Year awards. NSU sophomore women's basketball player Stephanie Sarosi was honored as the NSU Female Athlete of the Year, while men's soccer player Romain Onteniente, also a sophomore, was named as the Male Athlete of the Year. Additionally, women's soccer defender Jahmila Williams and men's basketball center Kevin Chester were presented with the NSU Sportsmanship award.

Two special team awards were presented, as the softball team garnered a second consecutive Shark Challenge Certificate. The women's cross country team was then given the J.A.W.S. award for academic excellence.

The evening concluded with the presentation of the 2008 NSU Scholar-Athlete awards, which went to senior women's rower Miglena Dzhupanova and senior baseball player Bryan Cook.

Below is the complete list of award winners:

• Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Bryan Cook, Baseball
• Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Miglena Dzhupanova, Women's Rowing
• Male Sportsmanship Award: Kevin Chester, Men's Basketball
• Female Sportsmanship Award: Jahmila Williams, Women's Soccer
• Male Athlete of the Year: Romain Onteniente, Men's Soccer
• Female Athlete of the Year: Stephanie Sarosi, Women's Basketball
• J.A.W.S Award: Women’s Cross Country
• Shark Challenge: Softball

Cross Country
Most Valuable Female Runner: Tara Haddock
Most Valuable Male Runner: Eskender Abdalla
Female Coach's Award: Chelsea Gilbert
Male Coach's Award: John Besharat

Volleyball
Most Valuable Player: Melinda Gorman
Coach's Award: Andrea Irarrazabal

Men's Soccer
Most Valuable Player: Romain Onteniente
Coach's Award: Christian Benitez

Women's Soccer
Most Valuable Player: Shurell Burton
Coach's Award: Jahmila Williams

Women's Basketball
Most Valuable Player: Stephanie Sarosi
Coach's Award: Abbie Tepe

Men's Basketball
Most Valuable Player: Tim Coenraad
Coach's Award: Kevin Chester

Cheerleading
Most Valuable: Caroline Iscovitz
Coach's Award: Monica Moya

Men's Golf
Most Valuable Golfer: Greg O'Mahony
Coach's Award: Constantin Schwierz

Women's Golf
Most Valuable Golfer: Sandra Changkija
Coach's Award: Elizabeth Bond

Women's Rowing
Most Valuable Rower: Monica Henderson
Coach's Award: Marilite' Vasquez-Gonzalez

Track
Female Most Valuable Runner: Alice Henley
Male Most Valuable Runner: Joe Pena
Female Coach's Award: Patricia Esangbedo
Male Coach's Award: Chris Jacob

Women's Tennis
Most Valuable Player: Ulia Talalenko
Coach's Award: Edita Kulichova

Softball
Most Valuable Player: Ashley Baker
Coach's Award: Brittney Lamb

Baseball
Most Valuable Player: Ruddy Garcia
Coach's Award: Bryan Cook

Athletic Training
Most Valuable Student Athletic Trainer: Lesly Mathurin
Service Award: Tena Blackman