Plainview — Wayland Baptist Athletics held their annual Spring Athletic Awards Banquet to recognize each spring sport’s athletic achievements – including Benjamin Lubker (men’s golf) and Addy Rich (softball) receiving the prestigious Roscoe Snyder Award.
To go along with Lubker and Rich, four other athletes received Athletic Administration awards voted on by coaches and staff among the WBU athletic department.
Abcde Garcia (softball) and Joshua Tucker (men’s basketball) received the Wallace and Janis Davis Spirt Award for exemplifying spirit, courage and commitment to their team, coaches, and university.
Adriana Armstrong (softball) and Dylan McDougal (men’s basketball) received the Bill Hardage Champions of Character Award for displaying the NAIA’s five core character values: respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, service leadership, and integrity.
Every year, Wayland Baptist Athletics awards the Roscoe Snyder Award to the top male and female athlete who demonstrate outstanding character both during and outside of competition, as well as maintaining an unwavering commitment to their academics.
Lubker, the men’s Roscoe Snyder Award recipient, is a senior from Fano, Denmark who will graduate this May with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Lubker has been the leader of the Pioneers men’s golf program over the past three seasons – leading the Pioneers to back-to-back NCCAA National Championships, winning the individual 2025 NCCAA National Championship, a 2024 SAC Men’s Golfer of the Year award, a 3x PING All-American, an NAIA First Team All-American, and one of three Pioneers ever to win the prestigious Manning Award three times, finishing with the lowest stroke average on the team for the entire season.
Rich, the women’s Roscoe Snyder Award recipient, is a senior from Georgetown, Texas who is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Science. Rich was named a 2025 Sooner Athletic Conference Honorable Mention after helping the Pioneer softball team qualify for the SAC Softball Championships in both seasons of the program’s existence. Rich threw 118.1 innings this season, owning a 4.73 ERA with 54 strikeouts.
Garcia, a senior from Brownfield, Texas, will be graduating this May with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Garcia is a big supporter of her teammates, as well as all the other sports on campus. She regularly attends all home events and is a constant supporter of the Pioneers.
Tucker, a senior from Childress, Texas, is majoring in Media Arts and Communication Studies. Tucker is a guard for the Pioneer basketball team, was a 2024 and 2025 NAIA Scholar Athlete Award recipient, and is featured on the rePorter Show where they discuss all things Pioneers Athletics and keep the public aware of everything happening with WBU sports.
Armstrong, a junior from Maricopa, Arizona, is a business administration major. Armstrong was the ace this season for the Pioneer pitching staff, posting 11 wins, 160.1 innings pitched, a 2.88 ERA, and 126 strikeouts. Armstrong was also named Second Team All-SAC.
McDougal, a senior from Moore, Oklahoma, is a senior majoring in Cyber Security and set to graduate in May. McDougal is a former SAC All-Defensive Team recipient and averaged 8.8 pts/g, 3.1 reb/g, and shot 39.5% from the floor across 30 games played during his senior season. McDougals displays character in many ways off the court, including attending the Alaska Missions Trip for three straight summers.
The Roy McClung Service Award recipients are Jim and Trisha Giacomazzi. Jim currently serves as the Director of Athletics for Wayland Baptist University, while Trish serves as an Assistant Professor of Education in the School of Education here at Wayland Baptist. The Giacomazzi’s have spent countless hours making sure our athletes have the best care possible, and they do so much behind-the-scenes work that does not get recognized. Their love for Wayland Baptist University runs deep.
2024-25 Athletic Department Awards
Roscoe Snyder Award – Benjamin Lubker (men’s golf) and Addy Rich (softball)
Wallace and Janis Davis Spirit Award – Abcde Garcia (softball) and Joshua Tucker (men’s basketball)
Bill Hardage Champions of Character Award – Adriana Armstrong (softball) and Dylan McDougal (men’s basketball)
Roy McClung Service Award – Jim and Trisha Giacomazzi
Men’s Basketball:
Most Valuable Player – Quenton Coleman
Coaches Award – Dylan McDougal
Scholar Award – Joshua Tucker
Women’s Basketball:
Fighting Heart Award – Emily Sigala
Hutcherson Award – Megan Nestor
Defensive of the Year Award – Kaitlyn Jerden
Offensive Player of the Year – Megan Nestor
Baseball:
Pitcher of the Year – Juan Gil-Franco
Offensive Player of the Year – Delvis Claudio
Defensive Player of the Year – Brayden Peyton
Most Valuable Player – Felix Polanco
Brandon Henager Award – Tyson Potts
T-Mac Award – Brayden Peyton
Softball:
Offensive Player of the Year – Brooklyn Araujo
Defensive Player of the Year – Amber Poorbaugh
Utility Player of the Year – Addy Rich
Newcomer of the Year – Adriana Armstrong
Outstanding Pioneer Award – Mikayla Carrillo
Men’s Wrestling:
Newcomer of the Year – Emmett Bivens
Wrestler of the Year – Alex Pena
Most Improved – Jaykob Mills
Servant Leader Award – Ethan Frank
Strength of Character Award – Malaiki Owens
Johnny Cobb Pioneer of the Year – John Bray
Women’s Wrestling:
Newcomer of the Year – Mercy Adekuoroye
Wrestler of the Year – Jordan Suarez
Most Improved – Tess Barnett
Servant Leader Award – Mohagany Casel
Strength of Character Award – Leilani Sanchez
Johnny Cobb Pioneer of the Year – Malarie Dominguez
Men’s Golf:
Player of the Year – Benjamin Lubker
Most Improved – Leonard Lebrun
Manning Trophy – Benjamin Lubker
Freshman of the Year – Nino Mahy
Women’s Golf:
Golfer of the Year – Ellen Lonergan
Most Improved – Emme Wilson
Men’s Track and Field:
Most Valuable Performer – Matthew Gordon
Most Valuable Athlete – Case Drum
Newcomer of the Year – Diego Constantino
Character Award – Ryder Robison
Most Improved – Marsaul Adley
Women’s Track and Field:
Most Valuable Performer – Inmaculada Delgado
Most Valuable Athlete – Jada Mason
Newcomer of the Year – Mia Grey
Character Award – Jazmine Jackson
Most Improved – Mercedes Celis
Beach Volleyball:
Defensive Player of the Year – Lilou Henry-Souquet-Bressand
Offensive Player of the Year – Selma Sutaj
Future of the Program – Averi Penner
Pioneer Award – Deniz Yileri
Most Improved – Frida Epseth
E-Sports:
Best Debut – Joshua Rodriguez
Completionist – Devin Davis
People’s Champ – Ilijah Hooks
Player of the Year – Hunter McCarty
Cheer:
Leadership Award – Junia Butler and Karleigh Licerio
Most Improved – Anayah Salinas