Bethany College Student-Athletes Honored at Annual Bison Awards Banquet

Bethany, W.Va – The Bethany College Student Athlete Advisory Committee hosted their annual Bison Awards Tuesday evening inside Hummel Field House.

Bethany named senior Josh Lonero (Baseball) and senior Reilly Parker (Volleyball) its Athletes of the Year.  

Lonero a member of the baseball team hit team highs this season in doubles (3), runs batted in (10), walks (7), batting average (.275), and slugging percentage (.319).

Parker led the volleyball team to their second PAC Championship this season and was named All-PAC First Team. She finished second in school history in digs (2509) and in service aces (195).

Freshman Grace Chambers (W. Soccer/Track) and freshman Allayasa Bray (Basketball) earned the distinction of Bethany's Rookies of the Year.

Chambers a dual sport athlete excelled this season. She finished second in the 400m and sixth in the 200m at the PAC Indoor Championships. At PAC Outdoor Championships, Chambers finished second in both the 200m and 400m. She earned PAC Rookie of the Week and PAC Athlete of the Week distinctions this season.

Bray earned three PAC Rookie of the Week honors throughout his freshman year campaign. He led the Bison with 11.3 points per game, second on the team in rebounds (4.2) and steals (1.2). Bray notched a career high 24 points in the season finale against Waynesburg to give the Bison their fifth win of the season.

Seniors Anthony Helias (M. Lacrosse) and Fran Capaldi (Softball/W. Tennis) earned the Derrick Hoffman award for their outstanding contributions to athletics and their kind characteristics and enthusiasm not only on the field but off the field.  

Bethany honored six student athletes who showed tremendous sportsmanship throughout the season. Katie Sparks (Volleyball), Riley Meyers (W. Soccer/Track), and Erica Amoroso (Softball) were honored on the women's side. On the men's side, Reid Long (Baseball), Nick Melita (M. Lacrosse), and Anthony Helias (M. Lacrosse) were honored with the sportsmanship award.

The women's volleyball team took home the Academic Team award with an overall GPA of 3.49 and the Game of the Year award.

Daniel Gibson (Football) won the Bison Backer Award and Dr. Lisa M. Reilly won the Heather Taylor Award for their outstanding support to athletics.

Head baseball coach Justin Thomas received the honor of Coach of the Year. The baseball team is 23-14 (14-10 PAC) and won 20 games in a season since 2010. The baseball team also snapped W&J's win streak of 16 games and defeated the Presidents for the first time since 2014. These accomplishments earned the baseball team the award comeback team of the year.

Also included in the Awards Banquet was the recognition for all 41 Bethany College student-athletes named to Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) Honor Roll as well as all other achievements and milestones achieved throughout the 2018-19 seasons.