TRITONS ATHLETICS NAME TOP PLAYERS OF SEASON

PRESS RELEASE – The Triton Athletics Department at the University of Guam today announced its Student Athlete of the Year as well as awardees for MVP, best offensive and defensive players, and sportsmanship for each athletics program of the 2019–2020 academic year.

The overall Student Athlete of the Year award went to women’s soccer player Colleen Naden, who scored 19 goals over 11 matches, ranking her as the Golden Boot, or top scorer, by a margin of five goals in the premier division of the Guam Football Association’s Bud Light Women’s Soccer League.

“I consider her to be Guam’s best player in the women’s game and truly believe she could play professionally,” said Gary Larkin, head coach of the Triton Women’s Soccer Team. “Ms. Naden possesses the technical, tactical, physical, and mental skills necessary to compete at the highest levels. She is a great role model, and I encourage young footballers to aspire to be like her.”

Naden joins three other Student Athletes of the Year named since the Triton Athletics program was reinstated: women’s soccer player Shay Torres in 2017, men’s soccer player Dylan Naputi in 2018, and men’s basketball player Logan Hopkins in 2019.

Additionally, awards in each sport went to the following student athletes:

Men’s Soccer

Most Valuable Player: Derrick Cruz

Best Offensive Player: Jherico Tiamzon

Best Defensive Player: Isaiah Macias

Sportsmanship Award: Brandon Salumbides

Women’s Soccer

Most Valuable Player: Colleen Naden

Best Offensive Player: Ariya Cruz

Best Defensive Player: Chloe Miranda

Sportsmanship Award: Anisa Topasna

Men’s Basketball

Most Valuable Player: Michael Quan

Best Offensive Player: Logan Hopkins

Best Defensive Player: Harold Gaerlan

Sportsmanship Award: Dean Blake

Women’s Basketball

Most Valuable Player: Jan-Nasia Travilla

Best Offensive Player: Niah Siguenza

Best Defensive Player: Isla Quinata

Sportsmanship Award: Danielle Robles

The awards are based on the athletes’ performance during the portion of the season the teams were able to complete prior to the coronavirus pandemic. For the MVPs in basketball, Quan averaged 27 points per game with a single-game high score of 47 points, and Travilla averaged 17 points per game with a single-game high of 25 points. For men’s soccer, Cruz was selected for his leadership as team captain and being a consistent mid-field link between offense and defense.

The men’s and women’s soccer leagues plan to resume play and finish the season when restrictions are lifted.

The awardees will receive trophies, although there will not be a Student Athlete Reception as in previous years due to the pandemic.