Spring Break
Spring 2009 Hornet Sports Awards
State Hornet Staff
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: Sports
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Tim Wheeler
Junior center fielder Tim Wheeler began the season by being named to the Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Watch List, as well as a third team All-American by Baseball America. Beginning the season with these awards set expectations high for the season and this all-star athlete met them all with ease.
"I'm happy with the improvements I've made from last year," Wheeler said. "I've just been more consistent over all."
Wheeler led the team with his slugging and on-base percentages, number of RBIs, triples hit, total bases, walks, stolen bases and had 15 home runs throughout the season.
"He's without question one of the finest men that I've even had the privilege to be able to coach with," said head coach John Smith. "His character is impeccable. He's truly been an inspiration to all of us."
Wheeler also had the second highest batting average on the team with .381, and was second in runs scored and doubles hit.
Best Overall Female Athlete
Erika Edwards
Junior forward Erika Edwards lit up the boards with field goals, free throws and 3-pointers.
The six-foot forward shot just over 44 percent - the third highest on the team.
That, combined with her 3-point shooting percentage of 0.361 and 77 percent free-throw shooting, earned her a starting position in all 30 games this season.
"I thought it was a great year for me," Edwards said. "I met the goals I set for 3-point shooting and free throws."
Her attitude and skills have endeared her to the program.
"Erika embodies all of the qualities we look for in our student-athletes," said head coach Jamie Craighead. "She represents our women's basketball program and this university with class."
Edwards led the team with an average of 8.1 rebounds per game and was the third-highest scorer.
She also had 21 blocks and eight steals for the season.
Best Male Recruit
Jason Smith
Freshman tennis player Jason Smith was a major contributor to the team's perfect 10-0 record against Big Sky Conference opponents. By the end of the season, Smith had earned the No. 2 spot on the team in singles play.
Consistent alone or with a teammate, Smith won 72 percent of his matches in singles (18-7) and 71 percent in doubles (15-6).
Smith was named a Big Sky Men's Tennis Player of the Week in March and was dominant throughout the season. He won 6-0, 6-2 against Montana and Eastern Washington opponents in the conference championships. Finishing with a perfect record of 7-0 in the conference, Smith was a first-team all-conference selection.
Prior to his enrollment at Sacramento State, the Davis native was marked as a top tennis recruit in the nation. He was marked as a five-star blue chip recruit by TennisRecruiting.net, ranked in the top 20 within the nation and placed seventh in the tennis rating percentage index.
Best Female Recruit
Desiree Beltran
Desiree Beltran had arguably the greatest season any freshman has ever had playing softball for Sacramento State. Beltran's batting average of .413 led the team and is the all-time high for a freshman in school history. Her average also ranks as second all-time in a single season at Sac State.
Playing shortstop, Beltran not only hits for averages but also with power having launched seven home runs this year. The seven homers are also a all-time high for a freshman. She had the most total bases (99), hits (62), and highest slugging percentage (.660) on the team.
Capping the season with four winning games against Santa Clara, Beltran hit .636, smashed a pair of home runs, had 8 RBIs and was named the Pacific Coast Softball Player of the Week.
Prior to her enrollment at Sacramento State, Beltran played four years of varsity for Agoura High School at Agoura Hills, Calif. She made first team during her junior and senior seasons
Most Improved Male Athlete
Ronald Brookins
Last season, Brookins was Big Sky champion in the 110-meter hurdles and the long jump, and placed third in the 100-meter which earned him Big Sky All-League honors.
He went on to participate in the NCAA West Regionals in both the 110-hurdles and the long jump. He also was a member of the USA Track and Field Junior Nationals team.
This season, Brookins has offered many standout performances. At the Big Sky Indoor Championship he won third in the 60-meter hurdles, placed second in the 60, and placed first in the long jump with a distance of 25.02.75.
He won the event by a distance of 15.75 inches and was named the Men's Field Athlete of the Meet.
During the outdoor season he would post marks of 13.92 in the 110-hurdles and 24-04.25 in the Long Jump.
Both marks lead the Big Sky this year and he has also been named the Men's Athlete of the Week in the outdoor season.
Most Improved Female Athlete
Ericka Violett
Junior Ericka Violett competed in her third season with the Sacramento State Track and Field team this year. Last year she place third in the in the pole vault and was given all-Big Sky honors in the process. She also finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles and seventh in the Triple Jump.
This year she has grown to become even more successful. In the Indoor she was named Big Sky Women's Field Athlete of the Week and qualified for the Big Sky Championship all four of her events, the 60-meter hurdles, Long Jump, Triple Jump, and the Pole Vault. She won all but the Pole Vault in which she finished third and was named co Women's Field Athlete of the Meet.
In the outdoor she has shined as well. She was named Women's Field Athlete of the Week once again and set a school record in the Pole Vault at a height of 12-07.50. This year she has also posted Big Sky bests in the Long Jump with a 19-11.50, the Triple Jump with a 40-09.75, and the 100-hurdles with a 13.95.
The State Hornet sports staff can be reached at sports@statehornet.com
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