WICHITA, Kan. - The fifth-annual Gold Carpet Awards were held on Monday, April 30, hosted by Ted Woodward. Every year this event is planned and executed by members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The event was held in Beggs Ballroom at the Rhatigan Student Center, on campus. Student-athletes, coaches and administrators were in attendance and enjoyed street tacos and taking photos in the photobooth during the social hour leading up to the awards show. Daysha Bullocks (Women's Track) and Markis McDuffie (Men's Basketball) battled former men's basketball student-athletes J.R. Simon and Zach Bush in a lip sync contest, which was easily the highlight of the night!

Austin Reaves (Men's Basketball) walked away with the Best Play award for his record-setting seven three-pointers in the first half against Tulsa on January 25. Emily Hiebert (Volleyball) and Hunter Veith (Men's Track) earned Female and Male Athlete of the Year, respectively. Hiebert earned American Athletic Conference Setter of the Year honors and was a unanimous First Team All-Conference selection. She finished her career as Wichita State's all-time assists leader. Veith placed 2nd at the NCAA Indoor Championships this year, in addition to setting school records in the both the indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon.

Volleyball claimed the Best Upset award with its 3-1 win over No. 8 Creighton, in September. It was the program's second top-10 win in program history. Taryn Torgerson's individual win at the American Athletic Conference Women's Golf Championship in April earned her the Best Championship Performance award. Torgerson shot a career low and championship low 18-hole score of 64. The Thrower's group on the Track and Field Team received the prestigious Shocker LIFE Team of the Year award. The Shocker LIFE Team of the Year is awarded to the team that accumulates the most Shocker LIFE points throughout the year. Points are earned by academic and athletic accomplishments, participation in leadership and career development events, by supporting other sport programs and by participation in community service.

Finally, to round out the awards, the student-athletes honored Jay Ethridge with the Shocker of My Life award. Ethridge works with Chartwells dining services in the Shocker Hall cafeteria. While working the omelet station, he has come to know student-athletes by name. The student-athletes are thankful for Jay's commitment to keeping them fueled and enjoy the positive energy he brings every morning. See below for a list of other award winners below.

AWARD WINNERS

Best Hair – Gunnar Troutwine, Baseball

Female Scholar Athlete of the Year – Alex Koon, Volleyball

Male Scholar Athlete of the Year – Mason Buckmaster, Men's Track

Most Clumsy – Leah Reichenberger, Women's Track

Best Dressed – Keke Thompson, Women's Basketball

Shocker Life Woman of the Year – Kelsey Slawson, Women's Track

Shocker Life Man of the Year – Aaron True, Men's Track

Most Gullible – Maddy Freund, Volleyball

Class Clown – Rayvon Allen, Men's Track

Female Newcomer of the Year – Brooke Smith, Volleyball

Male Newcomer of the Year – Rayvon Allen, Men's Track

Best Smile – Luke Ritter, Baseball

Female Senior Leader Award – Mikaela Raudsepp, Volleyball

Male Senior Leader Award – Hunter Veith, Men's Track

Whole Person Award – Deja Young, Women's Track

Most Likely to go Pro – Landry Shamet, Men's Basketball

Most Like Their Coach – Taryn Torgerson, Women's Golf

People's Choice Award – Jaleesa Chapel, Women's Basketball

GOAT Award – Hunter Veith, Men's Track

Most Inspirational – Alex Koon, Volleyball

Most Clutch – Paige Luellen, Softball

Most Iconic Duo – Abbie Lehman & Emily Hiebert, Volleyball