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.
(AP/Carlos Osorio)
