WAYNESBURG, Pa (April 6) – Waynesburg University kicked off its celebration of NCAA Division III Week with the seventh annual WUESPY awards in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center on Sunday evening.
The awards covered from the spring 2024 semester through the 2024-25 winter season. University chaplain Josh Sumpter served as the master of ceremonies and 2014 Waynesburg graduate Thomas Paulone, head football coach at Jeannette High School, served as the keynote speaker. The WUESPY's were streamed live on the WCTV YouTube page as a special presentation by Jacket Sports Weekly.
Sophomore wrestler Jessie Orbin (Houston, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston) and senior softball pitcher Sydney Wilson (Pentress, W.Va. / Clay-Battelle) claimed Athlete of the Year honors while last spring's baseball and softball teams claimed Team of the Year laurels.
Orbin, Wilson and sophomore women's soccer play Waverly Lorne (New Providence, N.J. / Governor Livingston) and sophomore track & field thrower Jacob Harker (Lilly, Pa / Bishop Carroll) each won multiple awards on the night.
A full list of individual and team awards are listed below:
Women's Athlete of the Year: Sydney Wilson (Softball)
Men's Athlete of the Year: Jessie Orbin (Men's Wrestling)
Women's Team of the Year: Softball
Men's Team of the Year: Baseball
Women's Play of the Year: Waverly Lorne game-winning goal at Mount Union
Men's Play of the Year: Jacob Harker shot put at PAC Championships
Women's Rookie of the Year: Abby Ngugi (Women's Soccer)
Men's Rookie of the Year: Sarpong Kwabiah (Men's Soccer)
Women's Student-Athlete of the Year: Aubrey Burns (Women's Basketball/Tennis)
Men's Student-Athlete of the Year: Andrew Kasper (Men's Cross Country/Track & Field) and Seth Massotti (Men's Soccer)
Women's Team Performance of the Year: Softball's PAC Tournament run
Men's Team Performance of the Year: Baseball's seven-game PAC win streak in six days
Women's Breakout Athlete of the Year: Waverly Lorne (Women's Soccer)
Men's Breakout Athlete of the Year: Jacob Harker (Men's Track & Field)
Women's Individual Performance of the Year: Sydney Wilson at Chatham
Men's Individual Performance of the Year: Jessie Orbin at PAC Championships
Esports Team of the Year: Rocket League
Coach of the Year: George DeAugustino (Women's Soccer)
Support Staff Member of the Year:
Erin Leaver (Athletic Training)
Christian Leadership Award: Lilly Ryer (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field)
Reporter of the Year: Meg Barry
