CSM Student Athletes Lauded for Achievements on the Field and in the Classroom

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) student athletes celebrated a remarkable year of achievements at its annual athletics banquet at the Jaycees Community Center in Waldorf on April 30.  

Coaches and athletic department staff recognized the successes of student athletes and supporters, handing out the annual Male Athlete of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, Scholar Athlete of the Year, and Wings of the Hawk awards, as well as awards for individual sports.  

The athletes were nominated by head coaches in recognition of athletic ability, and the winners were voted on by the entire athletic staff.     

Team Awards  

Women’s Basketball Team Awards:  

• Coaches Award: Raylin Lee 

• Most Improved: Iyanna Harris   

  Men’s Golf:  

• Hawk of Excellence: Mason Chandler 

• Sportsmanship Award: George Libby  

Softball:  

• Offensive MVP: Laci Johnson 

• Defensive MVP: Lexi Drayer 

• MVP: Dakota Headley  

  Volleyball:  

• MVP: Caleigh Bergling 

• Coaches Award: Katy Swanson 

Men’s Soccer:  

•  Defensive MVP: Wiktor Blachowicz 

• Offensive MVP: Bryce Wilcher 

  Women’s Soccer: 

• Defensive Player of the Year: Baylee Copsey 

• Offensive Player of the Year: Abby May 

 Men’s Basketball: 

• Coaches Award: Andre Sheppard 

 Baseball: 

• Hawk Award: Tyree Claxton 

• Hawk Award: Rayden Deets 

  Wings of the Hawks Award:  

• Brian Ball  

• John Mitchell 

  Male Athlete of Year:  

• Yunior Pena  

  Female Athlete of the year:  

• Sara Allwine 

  Scholar Athlete of the Year:  

• Sofia Larsen 

 Hall of Fame Inductees:  

• Dr. Jeffery Grote 

• Charles County Community College 1985-1986 Volleyball Team  

 “We are proud to have eight athletic teams competing throughout the year, and each one contributes its own unique energy, passion, and spirit to the Hawk family,” CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson told the student athletes. “Tonight, we celebrate all 130 athletes who wear CSM on their jerseys and represent us with pride. From the field, to the court, to the course, you embody the values that make CSM proud. 

“While not every athlete could be here tonight, we honor each one of you. Your dedication, teamwork, discipline, and skill have made this year a successful one, and we are proud of both your individual and team achievements,” she said. 

Dr. Tracy Harris, vice president of the Division of Student Equity and Success, spoke about sports leadership and commended coaches, captains, and team leaders. Harris also highlighted the graduating seniors and athletes transferring to a number of institutions.

"Leaders set the tone for the culture of the team," Harris said. "A positive attitude, diligence, and commitment shape how your teammates compete and how they view their own roles. Leaders, coaches, students -- you can have an impact on the lives of others by exhibiting sports leadership. We should strive to be leaders who motivate, edify, and leave a lasting legacy on and off the field."

“You are a part of the 6 percent of high school athletes who get the opportunity to play college sports,” Romina Vacca, CSM assistant volleyball coach, told the students at Wednesday’s banquet. “Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up comparing yourself to others, feeling like you are not enough, or even questioning if you are doing enough. But I wanted to remind you that you are here for a reason. 

“Every opportunity you get to step on the court, the field, or weightroom is something you earned through your hard work, your sacrifice, and your belief in yourself, even on the hard days. Never forget that,” she advised.  

Darrick Sesker, CSM women’s soccer coach, called their season “nothing short of remarkable. From start to finish, you gave us memories that will last a lifetime – highlight reel goals, nail-biting finishes, and a relentless team spirit that made every match a joy to watch and a nightmare to play against.”  

CSM’s women’s soccer team finished with an overall record of 10-5-1, tied for first place in the NJCAA Region 20 Division II conference.  

“This season wasn’t just about the wins or the stats,” Sesker said. “It was about identity – who we are, how we show up, and how we have each other’s backs. You carried yourselves with heart, grit, and integrity. You made this program proud.”  

Keith Sanderson, CSM’s women’s softball coach, marked what a stellar season it was. “As any season would start as coaches we never know with certainty how good you will be. You have an idea, but you just never quite know. Well, the minute we stepped off the bus to enter our first Region 20 conference game and proceeded to put up 13 runs in the first inning against a pretty good Frederick team, I said ‘hmm, wow, we may be pretty good,’” he said.  

CSM’s women’s softball team is 18-5-1 and are the No. 2 seed going into the playoffs.   

Sean Bannon, CSM golf coach, is a former CSM athlete himself. He said CSM’s golf team competed in four weekly matches against Carroll County, Hagerstown, and Anne Arundel this season, finishing with a 4-5 record.  

“The team competed hard all season, they never gave up. In the game of golf that is easy to do, with golf being one of only a few individualized sports. You have to overcome a bad shot, a bad hole, a bad swing. And it was a pleasure to watch these young men learn that discipline this season,” he said.  

But beyond the stats, the teammates became friends. “These men played three, four, sometimes five times a week together and became not only teammates, but friends and that is something I know I’m extremely proud of,” he said.  

Davon Muhammad, head coach of CSM’s women’s basketball team, reflected on the season that didn’t quite meet expectations. “We didn’t have the season we wanted with results on the court, but we are proud of the culture and family atmosphere we were able to build this past season,” he said.  

“As we all know playing a team sport isn’t easy. It takes a group of individuals to come together as one. I can say with the utmost confidence that is exactly what we did. It took some challenging conversations, becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable, some tough losses, and far too much stress in my life. But I wouldn’t trade this experience with this group for any reason at all. There is a reason for what we endured. It made us stronger, helped us bond, and accept each other as part of one another’s village. The foundation is now set, our standards are defined, and we are excited for the future of our women’s basketball program,” he said. 

And finally, Sgt. Brian Ball of the CSM Department of Public Safety and Preparedness and Facilities Supervisor Jay Mitchell were bestowed with the Wings of the Hawk award, presented to those not directly tied to the athletic program, but have proven to be vital supporters.  

Zach Roll, CSM fitness center manager, said to Ball, “Your leadership in public safety gives our athletes, our fans, and our entire community the confidence to show up, to cheer loud, and to feel safe doing so. Whether it’s handling the crowds, securing our spaces, or simply checking in with a smile and a kind word, you embody what it means to care for a community. Your commitment allows us to focus on the game, knowing you’ve got everything else handled.”  

To Mitchell, Roll said, “You keep our facilities running, not just for athletics, but for the entire campus. From big repairs to last-minute fixes before the game, your attention to detail and pride in your work keeps us up and running – literally. You don’t just solve problems – you prevent them, and you do it all with a quiet commitment that never asks for recognition but absolutely deserves it.”