MIDWAY. Ky. - Midway University's Athletics Department held its annual "Midways Athletic Honors" on Wednesday, April 17 to present awards to some of the top athletes and teams for the 2023-2024 season. The awards are a combination of nominations with student voting on the winner and some committee selections.
FEMALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: JOSIE BRINER
In her freshman season in the pool, Briner set a school record by swimming a 2:13.31 in the 200-yard butterfly and was also part of four record-setting relay teams (200 free, 800 free, 200 medley, 400 medley). In 2024, she became the first Eagle swimmer to qualify for finals at the NAIA National Tournament, doing so in the 200-yard butterfly.
MALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: JALEN CINCORE
As a junior transfer with the men's basketball team, Cincore earned Second Team All-Conference honors and led the Eagles with 18.0 points per contest. He also finished second on the team with 6.5 rebounds per game.
THE COMEBACK AWARD: HAYES MASON
Trailing by nine shots entering the final round of the 2023 RSC Men's Golf Championship, Mason fired an even par in the final round to force a sudden death playoff where he would go on to earn Medalist honors after making par on the first playoff hole.
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE: NEVAEH BROWN
Brown's fifth All-American pole vault performance was her best, as she finished second in the event at the 2024 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. She broke her own school record and tied for the best height at the event at 3.87 meters. Her runner-up finish is the best national performance in program history and came weeks after she set a meet record in the same event at the RSC Indoor Championships (3.66).
BEST MOMENT: BASEBALL CLINCHES RSC REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP
The Eagles secured their first regular season River States championship and second berth in the NAIA National Tournament in a sweep against Alice Lloyd last April 28 and 29, in which they won both games by the combined score of 26-1. Midway would then go on to win the first national tournament game in program history.
ANDY SHEA COMMUNITY SERVANT AWARD: DANIEL COGO
Cogo founded the multi-cultural student association which hosted the first International Food Festival on campus to over 400 attendees. He also served as a coach at the Tates Creek Volleyball Clinic hosted by his team and hosted a multitude of events while serving as a resident advisor. He has been a standout for the Midway men's volleyball team for the last four years and most recently received the Midway Eagle Leadership Award for the 2023-24 school year.
THE MIDWAY UNIVERSITY SPIRIT & SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: TRINITY SMITH
The Midway University Spirit and Sportsmanship Award is given annually to a student-athlete of at least junior status with at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA, who exemplify the Champions of Character sportsmanship standards. In addition, this student projects a great attitude toward other athletes, including being very supportive of teammates and of other teams, regularly attending other athletic functions outside of their own sport, and an athlete who is willing to give 100 percent of themselves and expects no less from his or her teammates.
Smith has developed from a raw prospect to one of the most decorated female distance runners in Midway history. She had a two week stretch in the fall where she led all River States runners at the NAIA National Championships then earned All-American honors at the NAIA Marathon National Championships. She holds numerous school records and is without a doubt respected by her teammates, peers, and faculty and staff. She also maintains well above the necessary GPA, has numerous times been named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete and a River States Conference Scholar-Athlete.
OUTSTANDING TEAM: 2022-23 MEN'S GOLF
The 2022-23 men's golf team won their third consecutive RSC Championship, pulling away with a 28-shot victory to advance to the NAIA National Championship for the third straight season.
OUTSTANDING FEMALE STUDENT-ATHLETE: NEVAEH BROWN
Already one of the most accomplished student-athletes in Midway history, Brown earned two more All-American honors within the last year to become a four-time All-American.
At the 2023 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships she earned a fifth-place finish in the pole vault before finishing national runner-up at the 2024 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in the same event. She has also achieved high success in the classroom and has numerous times been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, the River States Conference Scholar-Athlete Team and the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete Team.
OUTSTANDING MALE STUDENT-ATHLETE: DONNIE MILLER
Miller had a memorable career in their time at Midway and on February 17, 2024 he further cemented his legacy by becoming the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Midway men's basketball program. A now, four-time All-Conference performer, he finishes his career with 2,072 career points in his 120 games for an average of 17.2 points per contest. He twice led the River States Conference in scoring and finished his final season averaging 16.3 points per game.
THE MARGARET WARE PARRIS AWARD: JACOB KOCIS
The Margaret Ware Parrish Award is the most prestigious award presented by Midway University Athletics. Margaret Ware Parrish was a coach and a faculty member for almost 40 years. Her strong leadership, integrity, and service established the university's Athletics Department as one of the most admired in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. This award is given to a student-athlete who excels in competition and beyond.
Since coming to Midway, Kocis has achieved great success in the classroom and in his sport. He maintains a perfect GPA and has been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the River States Conference Scholar-Athlete Team on many occasions. He's also earned numerous NAIA Academic All-American honors in his career. Within his sport, he's earned many All-Conference honors, he's been named the RSC Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year and the RSC Men's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year. He recently added to his already impressive resume by earning All-American honors at the NAIA Marathon National Championships. Kocis truly embodies the meaning of this award.
FACULTY/STAFF SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION AWARD: MICHAEL MICHALSIN, INSTRUCTOR OF BUSINESS
COACH OFTHE YEAR: LUTHER BRAMBLET
