Wagner Wheels In 2022 Westphal Award
Glendale, Ariz.- On Friday night, Arizona Christian University Athletics celebrated their achievements from the 2021-22 athletic year by hosting the ninth annual Westphal Awards. Athletes and coaches were recognized for their service, character, and success on the field or court with 17 awards from Female Faith to the prestigious Westphal Award.
Arizona Christian University President Len and Dr. Tracy Munsil gave out the Female and Male Faith Award to open the awards portion at the Haven Church. Emcee Travis Turner, ACU Campus Pastor, began the evening by talking about ACU Athletics through the numbers (ex. number of All-Americans and Scholar-Athletes). The 2020 Westphal Award winner Brent Smith co-presented the Mike Lusardi Coach of the Year Award with his former teammate and 2021 Male Faith Award winner- JD Hamby. Cindy Westphal and Larry Fultz, longtime friend of the Westphal family and Arizona Christian University, were on hand to present the final award of the evening- the Westphal Award- to Senior Brett Wagner from the baseball team.
The 2022 Westphal Award winners are:
Female Faith- Katy Fairbanks (Women’s Basketball)
Male Faith- Kody DeHart (Men’s Cross Country/ Track & Field)
Female FIRE Starter- Brooke Schuster (Women’s Soccer)
Male FIRE Starter- Jamel Shaw (Men’s Track and Field)
Record Breaking Performance- Karlie Rimat (Women’s Swimming)
Best Game- Alyssa Alvarez (Women’s Basketball)
Best Come-From-Behind Performance- Women’s Basketball
Break-through Performance- Carlo Castagnaro (Wrestling)
Tim Reed Service Award- Aubri Green (Beach Volleyball)
Don King Most Inspirational- Taylor Schleisman (Softball)
Comeback Athlete of the Year- CeAirra Bowman (Beach Volleyball)
Best Play- Angelo Johnson (Men’s Basketball)
Best Team- Men’s Basketball
Mike Lusardi Coach of the Year- Brad Hering (Men’s and Women’s Swimming)
Female Athlete of the Year- Claire Buckley (Softball)
Male Athlete of the Year- Jon Cole (Football)
Westphal Award- Brett Wagner (Baseball)
A fun fan interactive poll had people voting live for the best “Adventure in ACU Athletics” photo. Men’s Basketball won the contest by one vote with their team picture taken on Devil’s Bridge in Sedona.
Congratulations to all the Westphal winners and nominees.
#RollStorm
