KINGSVILLE, Texas – On Wednesday, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Javelina Athletics announced their 2022-23 student-athlete awards, highlighting Javelina student-athlete success in both competition and in the classroom.
Receiving top honors as the year's Gil E. Steinke Award as top male and female athletes are sophomore Ja'Qualon Scott of men's track and field with senior Nicole Murff of the volleyball team earning the award on the women's side. The remaining department awards can be found below celebrating the exceptional effort and achievements of student-athletes in the previous academic and athletic year.
GIL E. STEINKE AWARD – MALE – Ja'Qualon Scott, men's track and field | FEMALE – Nicole Murff, volleyball
The Gil E. Steinke award is given to the male and female athletes of the year in the Javelina Athletic Department.
Sophomore Ja'Qualon Scott re-wrote the men's track and field record book in 2023, racking up several pieces of hardware and honors along the way. The Houston native got on the podium in two different events at the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships earning three All-American honors in total while being named the Lone Star Conference Male Track Athlete of the Year.
At the national meet, Scott broke the school record and finished second in the 400-meter hurdles running a time of 50.16, before claiming a second silver in the 110-meter hurdles posting a time of 13.42 to get back on the podium.
His third All-American honor came as a member of the 4x400-meter relay alongside junior Sterling Riles, freshman Tony Benitez, and junior Michael Samihamba finishing seventh with a time of 3:09.19.
At the conference meet, Scott took home two gold medals in the 400 and 110-meter hurdles earning First-Team All-LSC honors.
Senior Nicole Murff dominated in the Blue and Gold this past season being named a D2CCA First-Team All-American as the top libero in all of Division II while also being named an honorable mention by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The pairing of the two awards made Murff the first Javelina since Lexi Wick to be named All-America by multiple organizations. Additionally, Murff is the only Javelina in the 16-year history of the program to be named to the D2CCA first team.
The San Antonio native ended her career as the 2022 LSC Libero of the Year and, being named as a First-Team All-LSC selection three-times.
In her final season, Murff posted an average 5.43 digs per set, the highest in the LSC and ninth-best in the nation. Additionally, Murff wrapped up the regular season seventh in DII with 607 total digs.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD – MALE – Jacob Cavazos, football | FEMALE – Madeliene Stolzer
The Scholar-Athlete award is given to the male and female student-athletes compiling the highest GPA during their educational career at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Redshirt senior and Javelina quarterback Jacob Cavazos helped the Javelinas to one of their best seasons in recent memory finishing with a 7-5 record and the program's first bowl appearance since 2016 capping the 2022 season off at the Corsicana FunTown RV Heritage Bowl.
In the classroom, Cavazos graduated in the Spring of 2023 with a degree in finance posting a 3.54 GPA while also delivering the commencement speech at his graduation.
Senior Madeleine Stolzer appeared in seven matches for the Javelina Volleyball team in the 2022 season, while earning a place on the university's Dean's List before graduating with a degree in Political Science.
ATHLETE/CAREER AWARD – Dean Wallace, men's track and field
The Athlete/Career award was established by Dr. Stewart Cooper, long-time chair of the University's health and kinesiology department, and is given to a student-athlete who has lettered in at least one sport, has been an intramural participant and who is planning a career in coaching.
Dean Wallace capped off a stellar career in the Blue and Gold with a ninth-place finish in the heptathlon at the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships, cementing his status as an All-American. Other career accolades include winning the 2020 Lone Star Conference heptathlon championship and helping the men's squad to the 2018 NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championship. Additionally, he was a six-time All-LSC selection across four indoor and four outdoor seasons.
FRED McINTIRE AWARD – Blake Jaques, football
The Fred McIntire award is given to a member of the Javelina football program who has at least a 2.50 GPA, preferably majoring in engineering or mathematics, and has been in college at least two full semesters.
Blake Jaques posted 12 total tackles in 2022 as the redshirt sophomore posted a 2.72 GPA in the classroom.
FOOTBALL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Amos Coleman
The Football Achievement Award was established by Dr. Frank Dotterweich in memory of his wife, June. The selected student-athlete must have at least a 2.50 GPA, be a letter winner, be achieving in school and community service and have completed at least two full semesters of college work.
Redshirt senior Amos Coleman was an anchor for the Javelina defense in 2022 as the corner earned First Team All-American status by the American Football Coaches Association becoming the first Javelina to receive the honor since 2012. While also being named First-Team All-LSC for defense.
The cornerback from New Orleans racked up five interceptions with two going for touchdowns and 39 total tackles on defense.
He continued to shine on special teams with 249 total return yards, including a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown against Midwestern State.
JOHNNY MARROQUIN AWARD - Veronica Garcia, women's track and field
The Johnny Marroquin award was established by Mary Marroquin in honor of her husband, Johnny, and is given to a student-athlete who will be teaching and coaching after graduation.
Graduate student Veronica Garcia had a stellar final season for the Javs taking gold at the LSC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the discus with a mark of 46.90-meters (153'10") helping the women's team finish third overall and earning her a selection for the national championship.
Outside of dominating in the ring, Garcia posted a 3.62 GPA across the 2022-23 academic year in her final season as Javelina.
DICK HITCHENS MEMORIAL AWARD – Jake Majors, men's basketball
The Dick Hitchens Award is presented annually in memory of the attorney from Kingsville and goes to a student-athlete majoring in history or political science.
Junior Jake Majors was part of making history for the Javelina men's basketball program in the 2022-23 season as the Javelinas captured the LSC East Division Title and qualified for the NCAA South Central Regional for the second time in as many years joining teammates Will Chayer, Sammy Brooks, and Creighton Avery became the first set of players to make it to three NCAA tournaments in their careers as Javelinas.
Majors appeared in 29 games, starting 23 for TAMUK providing lockdown defense and clutch shooting from beyond the arc, posting a .357 shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
FRED & JOAN NUESCH AWARD – Craig Clemons, football
The Fred & Joan Nuesch award is given to a student worker from the Javelina Athletic Communications, preferably majoring in journalism or mass communications, with plans to become a sports journalist. It was established at the time of Fred Nuesch's retirement as Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information after 35 years in the position.
While proving to be a huge threat on the field for the Javelinas posting seven total touchdowns, Craig Clemons also aided the production of other Javelina Athletic events when not competing himself.
The Corpus Christi native served as the play-by-play and public address announcer for various games throughout the Spring including the broadcast of the Javelina basketball senior day.
JUNE DOTTERWEICH AWARD – Brianna Pena, women's basketball
The June Dotterweich Award was established by Dr. Frank Dotterweich in memory of his wife, June, and the recipient is a female student-athlete who has excelled in the classroom and competition.
Senior Brianna Pena made history in the 2022-23 season becoming the first Javelina in program history to receive All-LSC and All-Academic recognition since Javelina Hall of Famer Lorie Martinez in 1998.
On the season, she shot over 40-percent from the field averaging 9.3 points per game with a season high of 22-points coming against Lubbock Christian on Dec. 10.
She also maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her tenure, earning a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management and Applied Technology, and is currently pursuing a Master's in Business Administration.
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