‘Frankies’ unveiled at FMU Athletics Gala

Francis Marion University’s Athletics Department recently unveiled the ‘Frankies,’ a special award for special performances in the past year of FMU athletics.

The awards debuted at Monday’s Athletic Awards Gala at the FMU Performing Arts Center where thirteen recipients were honored, receiving a shiny gold statuette that bears a striking resemble to FMU’s wily mascot, Frank the Fox.

The inaugural Frankie award winners were as follows:

Swamp Fox Academic Award – junior Emma Driggers (Mauldin, SC) (Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field)

Ray E. Thames Memorial Raise the Roof Award – junior Ivan Henderson (Jackson, SC) (Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field)

Mark Haselden Sportsmanship Award – senior Julian Kersting (Oldenburg, Germany) (Men’s Soccer)

Assistant Coach of the Year – Blake Butler (Baseball)

Head Coach of the Year – Gary Edwards (Men’s Basketball)

Male Rookie of the Year – freshman Will Hardee (Florence, SC) (Baseball)

Female Rookie of the Year – sophomore Katelyn Ellard (Cary, NC) (Softball)

Male Breakout Performance – freshman Kailex Stephens (Tuscaloosa, AL) (Men’s Basketball)

Female Breakout Performance – senior Taylor Johnson (San Diego, CA) (Softball)

Comeback Player of the Year – senior Chelsea Welty (St. Helena, SC) (Softball)

Male Athlete of the Year – senior Brandon Parker (Sumter, SC) (Men’s Basketball)

Female Athlete of the Year – senior Shaunice Fulmore (Lake City, SC) (Women’s Basketball)

Most Outstanding Team – Men’s Basketball

Other award winners from the from the gala were as follows:

Most Valuable Player Award for baseball – senior Cole Hinnant (Clayton, NC)

Most Valuable Player Award for men’s basketball – senior Brandon Parker (Sumter, SC)

Carolyn Bishop Frate Most Valuable Player Award for women’s basketball – senior Shaunice Fulmore (Lake City, SC)

Dr. Tom Whiteley Most Valuable Player Award for men’s cross country – freshman Parker Calvert (North Charleston, SC)

Women’s Cross Country Most Valuable Player Award – junior Andrea Liddell (Manning, SC)

Golf Most Valuable Player Award – freshman Grant Sellers (McBee, SC)

Men’s Soccer Most Valuable Player Award – senior Julian Kersting (Oldenburg, Germany)

Folly Carter Most Valuable Player Award for women’s soccer – freshman Rachael Hennenkamp (Wake Forest, NC)

Ashley Lynn Most Valuable Player Award for women’s softball – senior Taylor Johnson  (San Diego, CA)

Men’s Tennis Most Valuable Player Award – sophomore Matt Astell (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Gladys Hite Most Valuable Player Award for women’s tennis – sophomore Fredrika Regner (Langaryd, Sweden)

Jerry and Jean Lee Track and Field Most Valuable Player Award for men’s track & field – freshman Tucker Wheeler (Moncks Corner, SC)

Women’s Track and Field Most Valuable Player Award – junior Alexis Patterson (Cheraw, SC)

Joseph B. Durant Most Valuable Player Award for women’s volleyball – senior Carrie McGinnis (Knoxville, TN)