The Briar Cliff Athletic Department announced the winners of its annual Champions of Character Awards Thursday night at the Orpheum Theatre. The awards are headlined by the Marian Pesky Champion of Character, Athlete of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
 
The Marian Pesky Champion of Character Awards are named for longtime Charger coach and administrator Marian Pesky, who currently serves as the Cliff's Champions of Character Director. The Champion of Character award is presented to a male and female student-athlete that exemplifies the five core values of the NAIA. This year's Female Champion of Character honoree is Kennedy Andersen and Male Champion of Character is Quinten Vasa.
 
Andersen is a senior on the Charger softball team. She was nominated by Coach Erin Bly because of the way she leads the team through her actions and is an incredible leader.
 
"Kennedy is a true embodiment of what it means to be a Charger," said head coach Erin Bly. "She is a great teammate, gives back to her community, she is an incredible leader who leads by example and through her actions. She is also always positive and proactive to jump in and help whenever needed. Everything she does is with conviction and purpose. I am proud to be her coach and humbled by how she chooses to live in her faith and service to others."
 
Vasa is a senior member of the BC men's basketball team. Coach Svagera nominated Vasa because of his leadership and the positive impact he makes on and off the court.
 
"Throughout his four years at Briar Cliff Quinten Vasa has epitomized what it means to be a student-athlete, and a leader. His unselfishness and relentless work ethic have made a positive impact throughout our program and has been an outstanding example for younger players in the value of persistence and a team first attitude," said head coach Mark Svagera. "Quinten is also very active on our campus, in the community and in his church. He has taken on leadership roles in each which have made him a better leader, and also a better-rounded person."
 
Taylor Alkire (women's soccer) was voted as the Female Athlete of the Year, while Ben Jefferies (track and field) as named the Male Athlete of the Year.
 
Alkire was an Honorable Mention All-American after leading the Cliff to a GPAC Postseason Championship. Alkire scored 16 goals and assisted on five to led the Cliff with 37 points. She is the third straight BC women's soccer player to win the award. Flor Suarez was named the Athlete of the Year last year, while Giselle Jimenez won the award in 2020.
 
Jefferies defended his NAIA Indoor 400-Meter National Championship and was a two-time GPAC Indoor Champion in the 400 and 200. Jefferies set new school records in the indoor 400, 200 and outdoor 100. Jefferies has already qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships with automatic qualifying times in the 200 and 400.  
 
The Scholar-Athlete award is presented to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative GPA. Dawson Forcella (football/baseball) and Mya Hendry (women's basketball) are the Male and Female Scholar-Athletes.
 
In addition to the Champions of Character Awards, Briar Cliff also nominated four Chargers for GPAC/NAIA awards. Coach Mark Svagera is the Briar Cliff nominee for Coach of Character Award, Quinn Vesey and Kaegan Held are the Chargers' nominee for the Emil S. Liston Award. Olivia Petersen is the nominee for the A.O. Duer Scholarship Award and Alexis Westercamp is the nominee for the Dr. Leroy Walker Character Award.
 
The full list of presented awards for the 2021-22 year is below. A list of previous winners can be found HERE.
 
Best Play – Sami Wasmund, Women's Volleyball (watch it HERE)
Best Competition – Women's Soccer GPAC Championship
Best Upset – Max Barajas vs. #6 Edrich Nortje
Freshman Athlete of the Year (Female) – Helene Getz Bergmo, Women's Golf
Freshman Athlete of the Year (Male) – Cam Riemer, Baseball
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year (Female) – Kayla Guerrero, Softball
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year (Male) – Aaron Okoro, Football
Comeback Athlete of the Year – Flor Suarez, Women's Soccer
Most Inspirational Athlete – Walter Hunt, Baseball
Scholar-Athlete (Female) – Mya Hendry
Scholar-Athlete (Male) – Dawson Forcella. Football/Baseball
Athlete of the Year (Female) – Taylor Alkire, Women's Soccer
Athlete of the Year (Male) – Ben Jefferies, Track and Field
Marian Pesky Champion of Character (Female) – Kennedy Andersen
Marian Pesky Champion of Character (Male) – Quinten Vasa