MOBILE, Ala. — Junior softball pitcher Farish Beard and senior quarterback Ross Metheny were named South Alabama’s female and male Student-Athletes of the Year on Thursday night at the fifth annual Pete Tolbert Night of Champions.
The athletic department event recognized the achievements of nearly 400 individuals. The Student-Athlete of the Year awards honor the most outstanding individuals based on scholarship, athletic ability and citizenship.
Beard Leads Softball Honorees
Beard, of Fairhope, Ala., has carried better than a 3.2 grade-point average in more than two years at South Alabama. This season, she is 18-5 with a 0.99 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 127 1/3 innings, and she ranks in the top 20 nationally in four statistical categories.
Softball teammates Hannah Campbell and Kaitlyn Griffith were also honored.
Metheny Excels in Classroom and on Field
Metheny, of Stephens City, Va., holds a 4.0 GPA and is pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership.
Last season, he led the Sun Belt Conference in total offense with 269 yards per game and ranked in the top 10 in the conference in three other categories. He finished in the top 50 nationally in total offense, passing efficiency and passing yards and was named second-team All-Sun Belt.
Football teammates Trey Fetner, Bryson James and Alex Page were also recognized.
Other Honorees
Noelle Jones, Garrett Schumacher and Derek Westbrook were honored from the track and field program. Other student-athletes recognized during the evening included Caroline Beebe, Mechell Daniel, Nini Rabsatt-Smith, Sharmyn Wall, Matt Bolger, Brandon Bridge, Robby Campbell, Michelena D’Alonzo and Kristin Parry.
The event also recognized 56 current and former student-athletes who will graduate at the end of the semester.
South Alabama competes in the Sun Belt Conference.
