By Dustin Semore
FHU Sports Information Director
The cleats and uniforms were traded for dresses and suits as the student-athletes of Freed-Hardeman University celebrated each other in the inaugural Roar Awards on Saturday, April 22. While there have been various iterations of award nights, the 2023 Roar Awards provided an opportunity for the Lions and Lady Lions to enjoy a meal together and celebrate accomplishments on and off the field of play.
Spearheading the event was FHU’s athletic director, Jonathan Estes. “I think we have some of the best student-athletes anywhere. Student-athletes that are committed to the Lord and want to represent Him while they are representing that Lion or Lady Lion name on their chest. Student-athletes that are committed to being the best they can be in the classroom,” said Estes of the Saturday evening gala. “Student-athletes that practice and sweat and grind to be the best they can be on the field of competition. Student-athletes that aren’t motivated by personal glory, but strive to be a part of something bigger: team, relationship, family. The Roar Awards are about celebrating those student-athletes.”
Each sport awarded three players – all selected by their teammates – with the “Best Christian Example,” “Best Teammate,” and “Team MVP” awards.
In addition to those awards, the FHU athletic staff nominated and voted for the four top prizes: the Outstanding Female Student-Athlete, the Outstanding Male Student-Athlete, the Outstanding Individual Accomplishment, and the Charlie Smith Heart of a Lion Award. According to Estes, “The Heart of a Lion Award is named after former Athletic Director Charlie Smith and goes to a graduating senior that best demonstrates the characteristics of being a Lion or Lady Lion.”
Catherine Crabb was selected as the 2023 winner of the honor. “During her tenure at FHU, Cat has displayed determination, humility, perseverance, success on and off the field, and servant leadership. She embodies what we want all of our student-athletes to become while they are wearing the maroon and white.”
The staff selected softball’s Sophie Dunavant as the Outstanding Female Student-Athlete, while men’s basketball’s Hunter Scurlock was chosen as the Outstanding Male Student-Athlete. For breaking Freed-Hardeman baseball’s all-time strikeout and win records, Alex Huey was presented with the Outstanding Individual Accomplishment.
Freed-Hardeman University Roar Awards recipients
Baseball
Best Christian Example: Alex Huey
Best Teammate: Jack Early
Team MVP: Will McCall
Cheer
Best Christian Example: McKenzie Miller
Best Teammate Natchez Arnold and Kari Claiborne
Team MVP: Cassie Peone
Men’s Basketball
Best Christian Example: Zach Baugher
Best Teammate: DJ Jackson
Team MVP: Brandon Thomas
Women’s Basketball
Best Christian Example: Julieth Rivera-Morales
Best Teammate: Raegan Purvine
Team MVP: KJ White
Men’s Cross Country
Best Christian Example: Cade Berkey
Best Teammate: Blake Brown
Team MVP: Matthew Ray
Women’s Cross Country
Best Christian Example: Megan Lampley
Best Teammate: Casey Jackson
Team MVP: Eliza Poe
Men’s Golf
Best Christian Example: Bowman Blocker
Best Teammate: EJ Hill
Team MVP: Tyler Rhodes
Women’s Golf
Best Christian Example: Sara Browning
Best Teammate: Riya Key
Team MVP: Bailey Gilbert
Men’s Soccer
Best Christian Example: Sean Janiec
Best Teammate: Joao Pedro Brandao
Team MVP: Thabo Mahlaha
Women’s Soccer
Best Christian Example: Angie Blanco
Best Teammate: Brooke Latham
Team MVP: Jessica Musselma
Men’s Tennis
Best Christian Example: Braden Young
Best Teammate: Caden Arnold
Team MVP: Max Guyon
Women’s Tennis
Best Christian Example: Hannah Pearce
Best Teammate: Julianna Alves
Team MVP: Michelle Lancaster
Men’s Track and Field
Best Christian Example: Sean Janiec
Best Teammate: Keegan Maguffee
Team MVP: Noah Johnson
Women’s Track and Field
Best Christian Example: Elizabeth McKeeby
Best Teammate: Addi Burchett
Team MVP: Jessica Musselman
Softball
Best Christian Example: Catherine Crabb
Best Teammate: Cassie Hayes
Team MVP: Sophie Dunavant
Volleyball
Best Christian Example: Ann Elise Jackson
Best Teammate: Bryce Morris
Team MVP: Kacey Donegan
