TOLEDO, Ohio – The second-annual Rocket Awards were held on Monday night at the UToledo Student Union, with a wide range of awards to celebrate another year of Toledo Athletics.
Several awards were handed out that highlighted individual and team success for what has turned out to be an historic year for Toledo Athletics.
The Team of the Year was awarded to the 2022-23 women's basketball program, which won its second straight MAC Regular Season Championship and the 2023 MAC Tournament title. The Rockets also tied the school record for wins in a season with 29 and captured their first NCAA Tournament victory since 1996 with a win over No. 5 seed Iowa State.
Men's basketball's RayJ Dennis was named Male Athlete of the Year, while women's basketball's Quinesha Lockett and women's tennis' Cassie Alcala shared the Female Athlete of the Year award.
The Male Rocket of the Year Award was won by men's basketball's Setric Millner Jr. and the Women's Rocket of the Year award was won by softball's Erin Hunt.
Fall and winter sports from the 2022-23 academic years and spring sports from the 2021-22 season were eligible for nominations.
Below is a complete list of award winners from Monday's event:
Team of the Year: Women's Basketball
Male Athlete of the Year: RayJ Dennis (Men's Basketball)
Female Athletes of the Year: Quinesha Lockett (Women's Basketball) & Cassie Alcala (Women's Tennis)
Male Rocket of the Year: Setric Millner Jr. (Men's Basketball)
Female Rocket of the Year: Erin Hunt (Softball)
Chuck Ealey Foundation 2023 College Undefeated Spirit Award: JT Shumate
Most Improved Male Athlete: Barend Botha (Men's Golf)
Most Improved Female Athlete: Madeline Vining (Women's Cross Country)
Male Rookie of the Year: Garret Pike (Baseball)
Female Rookie of the Year: Janne Slegers (Swimming & Diving)
Male Bleed Blue Award: Jake Rethman (Men's Cross Country)
Female Bleed Blue Award: Claire Eiden (Volleyball)
Mr. Toledo Award: Xavier Gallo (Men's Cross Country)
Miss Toledo Award: Kennedy Lovell (Swimming & Diving)
Team Academic Awards: Men's Golf and Swimming & Diving
Team Community Service Award: Baseball
Blue & Gold Competition Winner: Swimming & Diving
Play of the Year: Jacquez Stuart's 29-yard TD run vs. Ohio in 2022 MAC Championship Game
Best Action Photo (Male Sport): Football
Best Action Photo (Female Sport): Volleyball
Best Team Celebration Photo: Soccer
Team MVP's
Baseball: Jeron Williams
Men's Basketball: RayJ Dennis
Women's Basketball: Quinesha Lockett
Men's Cross Country: Dennis Mutai
Women's Cross Country: Lou Trois
Football: Quinyon Mitchell
Men's Golf: Barend Botha
Women's Golf: Amelia Lee
Women's Soccer: Emily Mann
Softball: Aleah Marra
Swimming & Diving: Lauren Kilgore
Men's Tennis: Pawit Sornlaksup
Women's Tennis: Cassie Alcala
Track & Field: Alexia Moehling
Volleyball: Ryann Jaqua
Male Most Likely to Go Pro: Pawit Sornlaksup (Men's Tennis)
Female Most Likely to Go Pro: Joy Chirchir (Women's Cross Country)
Male "Class Clown" Award: Ra'Heim Moss (Men's Basketball)
Female "Class Clown" Award: Rylee Michaels (Soccer)
