Hutchinson athletes sweep Junior College Awards at Wichita banquet
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Hutchinson Community College student-athletes claimed both junior college athlete of the year awards Thursday night at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet, with a basketball standout and national championship football player earning top honors.
Hailey Jackson received the Junior College Female Athlete of the Year award after leading the Blue Dragons women's basketball team back to the NJCAA national tournament in March. The first-team all-conference selection started all 34 games and averaged a conference-leading 18.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the field.
Waymond Jordan Jr. earned the Junior College Male Athlete of the Year honor following his role in Hutchinson's second football national championship in program history. The Blue Dragons defeated Iowa Western 28-23 on Dec. 18, 2024, to claim the title.
Jordan was named both the NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year and the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Offensive Player of the Year after leading the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns. He finished the season with 1,614 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games.
The ceremony was held at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita.
Jordan has transferred to the University of Southern California and is currently in Los Angeles preparing for the fall season with the Trojans.
The awards recognize the top male and female junior college athletes in the greater Wichita area based on athletic performance and academic achievement. Other winners include:
- Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year: Sophie Stockam, Maize South High School
- Barry Sanders High School Male Athlete of the Year: Da’Saahn Brame, Derby High School
- College Female Athlete of the Year: Sara Duque Jimenez, Wichita State University
- College Male Athlete of the Year: Xavier Bell, Wichita State University
- High School Girls Coach of the Year – Greg Rauch, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- High School Boys Coach of the Year – Derek Tuttle, Andover Central High School
- Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year – Steven Gream, Cowley College
- Professional Athlete of the Year – Zebby Matthews, Wichita Wind Surge
- Robert E. “Bob” Hanson Impact Award – Clark Ensz, Wichita Marathon
- Achievement of Excellence Award – Todd Carter, Butler Community College
- Special Recognition Award “Dynamic Duo” – Derek and Diana Schutte, Halstead High School
- Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year – Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina University
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