Wolverine Achievement: Athletes of the Year

Volleyball and wrestling athletes claim Wolverine Achievement Athletes of Year

For the second consecutive year, volleyball and wrestling athletes were named Athletes of the Year at the Wolverine Achievement Awards, held on April 7. Volleyball player Kayli Doxey and wrestler Flint Ray were awarded the honors.

“The female athlete of the year award is given to the individual student who has demonstrated exceptional qualities of athletic skill, sportsmanship, teamwork, determination and has brought added recognition to the UVU athletic program,” announced Roger Woolstenhulme, President of Wolverine Club, prior to presenting the award.

During her senior year, Doxey led the volleyball team in kills with 422, which also put her second in the Great West Conference. Helping her team to finish with a 21-11 overall record and 9-3 in conference play, Doxey was named to the GWC First Team.

As a lady Wolverine in four years of play, Doxey racked up 1,600 kills and is the current all-time kills leader. Doxey also holds the all-time kills per set average with 3.73 and most points with 1,815.

“I’m honored to be a finalist and even more honored to receive this award. This is awesome. I was blessed to have an amazing coach and amazing teammates and any one of them could be up here right now,” said Doxey.

“The male athlete of the year award goes to the student whose determination, sportsmanship and exceptional athletic skills have brought recognition and integrity to the UVU athletic program,” announced Val Hale, Vice President for University Relations, prior to presenting the award.

133-pounder Ray finished his senior year going 25-4 on the mat. Ray also won his second consecutive conference title and traveled to the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships for the second year in a row where he finished 3-2. Ray was named to the Western Wrestling Conference First Team and leaves as the Wolverine wrestler with the second most wins in school history, 86-36.

“Thank you so much for those that have been behind me and have nominated me for this award. I’d like to thank first my family that is here and always there. They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders and they’re one of the reasons I am here,” said Ray. “I’d also like to thank my wife who has given me the fuel every night when I come home from practice. She’s given me the nourishment both physically and emotionally that I needed. I’d also like to thank my coaches and my team.”

Ray, full of emotion, went on to thank his UVU family, saying, “This is a great honor to me, and I’d like to thank UVU who was able to make my dream of becoming a Division I athlete and also excel into the top tier of Division I athletics, which has really been a dream come true and it’s all been because of the people who have supported me.”

Each award had three nominees. In addition to Doxey for Female Athlete of the Year, softball player Meghan Yocom and track and field athlete Tiera Zaugg-Hansen were also nominated. In addition to Ray for Male Athlete of the Year, basketball’s Justin Baker and baseball’s Chris Benson were also nominated.