HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Edena Sanchez and
David Wessells are the 2021 recipients of the Houghton Athletics Student-Athlete Excellence Awards.
These awards recognize the top male and female student-athletes at Houghton College. The awards were presented on Tuesday, May 3 as part of Houghton's Night of Excellence recognition event held at Burke Field [
Watch the full program ]
Sanchez made her presence known during her freshman campaign when she won her first Empire 8 individual title in track and field.
During her four seasons, Sanchez has claimed four conference titles in the 800 meters, and has run the second fastest indoor 800 time in Empire 8 history. She has finished on the podium 14 times at E8 Track Championships, and she holds four runner-up finishes.
She has also been the recipient of several weekly E8 athlete of the week honors.
Sanchez will finish her Highlander career with school records in the indoor 400 meters and the indoor 800 meters.
Away from the track, she has been active in several area churches and regularly volunteers her time at Liberty ARC, assisting individuals with intellectual disabilities, and helping local youth with homework at the Fillmore Powerhouse. She has also served as a camp counselor at CitiKidz Christian Sports Camp.
She will graduate with a degree in psychology with a concentration in clinical counseling and a minor in communication.
Wessells is a five-year starter on the baseball team and two-year captain. This is the second-straight year he has taken the honor, joining Jesse Toth as the only other two-time winner.
During his undergraduate years, he was a three-time All-Empire 8 First Team selection and had the most all-conference votes among outfielders all three seasons.
He is a three-time Empire 8 Player of the Week and is a two-time NCCAA All-Region selection. He is currently Houghton's career leader in hits, runs scored, walks and stolen bases, and is among the top three leaders in several other categories.
Wessells is active in the community, helping to organize and participate in service projects for local organizations, including Fillmore Little League, Houghton Wesleyan Church, Camp JYC, Special Olympics, Fillmore Powerhouse and serving the elderly in local communities.
He was integral in reinstating baseball team Bible Study during sophomore year, and has been active in other Bible study and worship opportunities.
He served as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years as an undergraduate, including serving as treasurer as a senior.
In the classroom, he received his bachelor's degree with a 3.36 GPA in business administration in 2020 before returning for his final year of eligibility while pursuing his master's in business administration this year.
ABOUT THE AWARDS
Both Mrs. Hewson and Dr. Eyler were outstanding Christian student-athletes during their time at Houghton and continued to live by the ideals that these awards honor in their lives after college.
Past Excellence Award Winners
| Year |
Female Athlete |
Sport |
Male Athlete |
Sport |
| 2019-2020 |
Shelby Langlois |
Cross Country/Track |
David Wessells |
Baseball |
| 2018-2019 |
Taylor Sile |
Softball |
Zach Shilvock |
Soccer/Tennis |
| 2017-2018 |
Alexis Lamb |
Soccer |
Carl Holmes |
Basketball/Baseball |
| 2016-2017 |
Nikki Garns |
Soccer/Track |
Jesse Toth |
Soccer |
| 2015-2016 |
Sarah Gabriele |
Soccer |
Jesse Toth |
Soccer |
|
Hattie Burgher |
Volleyball |
|
|
| 2014-2015 |
Stephany Ellison |
Soccer |
Jared Toth |
Soccer |
|
Laurel Wroblicky |
Volleyball |
|
|
| 2013-2014 |
Kristen Moose |
Basketball |
Paul Seddon |
Soccer |
|
Alyssa Figueroa |
Soccer/Track |
|
|
| 2012-2013 |
Jennifer (Hudson) Bowman |
Soccer/Basketball |
Andrew McGinnis |
Soccer/Track |
| 2011-2012 |
Danielle Brenon |
Cross Country/Track |
Stephen Hine |
Track |
| 2010-2011 |
Darby Emerson |
Volleyball/Track |
Ryan Shay |
Basketball |
| 2009-2010 |
Lisa Skrypnik |
Basketball |
Steven Grudda |
Soccer |
|
Kaitlin Fadden |
Cross Country/Track |
|
|
| 2008-2009 |
Hannah Swift |
Soccer |
Dan Ballard |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2007-2008 |
Naomi Christensen |
Track |
Ernie Walton |
Soccer |
|
Elizabeth Mueller |
Field Hockey |
|
|
|
Ashley Scudder |
Basketball |
|
|
| 2006-2007 |
Meghan Radimer |
Soccer/Track |
Ryan Fadden |
Cross Country |
|
|
|
Anthony Haughton |
Basketball |
| 2005-2006 |
Kelly Mazzeo |
Field Hockey |
Andrew Walton |
Soccer |
| 2004-2005 |
Dana Benedict |
Soccer |
Steve Cox |
Soccer |
| 2003-2004 |
Brieanna Claybourn |
Field Hockey |
Tim Haffey |
Soccer |
| 2002-2003 |
Rochelle Hershey |
Field Hockey |
Tim Cook |
Cross Country |
|
|
|
Rusty Knight |
Soccer |
| 2001-2002 |
Heather Mann |
Soccer |
Seth Edwards |
Basketball |
| 2000-2001 |
Wendy Ivey |
Basketball |
Michel Cox |
Soccer |
| 1999-2000 |
Kristen Embich |
Field Hockey |
Joseph Campagna |
Cross Country/Track |
|
Andrea Potteiger |
Soccer |
|
