After two years of virtual celebrations, the 2022 azcentral Sports Awards finally returned to being held in person on Saturday night at Gammage Auditorium in Tempe.
By the end of the night, 27 athletes had been honored along with the coach of the year and the boys and girls teams of the year.
Three honorees were repeat winners from a year ago. Those athletes were Lauren Ping of Desert Vista’s girls cross country team, Ellie Johannes of Northwest Christian’s girls soccer team and Zach Rama of Sandra Day O’Connor’s volleyball team.
Miami’s Gabe Escobedo took home the boys athlete of the year award, honoring his accomplishments in football, basketball and baseball. Girls athlete of the year Gracelyn Nez was also celebrated for her success in three sports: volleyball, basketball and beach volleyball.
Sunnyslope volleyball player Avery Morkert received the courage award after she returned from a liver transplant to help the Vikings to a 25-14 record in the fall. Also in volleyball, Horizon’s 42-year head coach, Valorie McKenzie, was named the state’s coach of the year.
Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin was the night’s featured guest. Benjamin was drafted out of Arizona State in 2019 and was twice named to the All-Pac 12 first team during his time with the Sun Devils.
He spoke in a Q&A with Republic writer Michelle Gardner.
“Congratulations to every single one of you guys sitting out here,” Benjamin said. “This is a huge accomplishment.”
Benjamin, who was a four-star recruit in 2017, passed along recruiting advice to the athletes in attendance.
“If you weren’t playing sports, would you still love to go to that school?” Benjamin said. “I wouldn’t make a decision just based off of coach because nowadays, you’re seeing coaches leave every other day. My advice would be to find that goal of what you’re trying to accomplish while you’re there and find out which school gives you the best opportunity for that.”
Benjamin ended the Q&A with another piece of advice.
“No matter what grade you guys are in, if you’ve got something going for you and no one else believes you, don’t stop believing in yourself,” Benjamin said. “It doesn’t matter what anyone tells you. Keep going, keep going, keep going and don’t stop.”
Complete list of winners
Boys athlete of the year: Gabe Escobedo, Miami
Girls athlete of the year: Gracelyn Nez, Flagstaff
Courage award: Avery Morkert, Sunnyslope
Boys team of the year: Saguaro football
Girls team of the year: Valley Vista basketball
Coach of the year: Valorie McKenzie, Horizon volleyball
Badminton: Samiya Bodhankar, Hamilton
Baseball: Logan Saloman, Hamilton
Basketball, boys: Nate Calmese, Mesquite
Basketball, girls: Jenna Isai, Valley Vista
Beach volleyball: Sydnee Broadway and Margo Smith, Sandra Day O’Connor
Cross country, boys: Terrence Keyes, Gilbert
Cross country, girls: Lauren Ping, Desert Vista**
Football, defense: Russell Davis II, Hamilton
Football, offense: Nicco Marchiol, Hamilton
Golf, girls: Jennifer Seo, Hamilton
Golf, boys: Vincent Cervantes, Hamilton
Soccer, girls: Ellie Johannes, Northwest Christian**
Soccer, boys: Speed Gregory, Phoenix Country Day
Softball: Marissa McCann, Willow Canyon
Swimming, boys: Jack Luken, Desert Vista
Swimming, girls: Kennedy Noble, Millennium
Tennis, boys: Jared Perry, Catalina Foothills
Tennis, girls: Tanvi Narendran, Rincon/University
Track and field, girls: Joy Moorer, North Canyon
Track and Field, boys: Yan Vasquez, Mesa Red Mountain
Volleyball, girls: Jordan Middleton, Hamilton
Volleyball, boys: Zach Rama, Sandra Day O’Connor**
Wrestling, girls: Bree Garcia, Barry Goldwater
Wrestling, boys: Cael Porter, Mogollon
Theo Mackie covers Arizona high school sports and Phoenix Rising FC. He can be reached by email at theo.mackie@gannett.com and on Twitter @theo_mackie.
