2019-20 Student-Athlete Award Nominations

Mike Sharp Most Inspirational Award Nominees

6/10/2020 12:00:00 PM

Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics is excited to announce the continuation of our annual student-athlete end-of-the-year awards, featuring the Jennifer Winkelspecht, Mike Sharp Most Inspirational, Male and Female Athlete of the Year and the Presidential awards. Throughout the month of June we will introduce the nominees for each award and will announce all winners after. The head coach of each program nominated their student-athlete for each award.

The following awards will be announced:

June 8: Jennifer Winkelspecht Award

June 10: Mike Sharp Most Inspirational Award

June 15: Male Athlete of the Year

June 17: Female Athlete of the Year

June 22: Presidential Award

June 24: Winners Announced

MIKE SHARP MOST INSPIRATIONAL AWARD NOMINEES

The Mike Sharp Most Inspirational Award acknowledges the student-athlete who best inspires his/her teammates to excel in competition with enthusiasm and humility, lead by example, maintain integrity, and persevere with hope and courage.

WINNER ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 24

Jackson Cascio (click image to go to bio)

Jackson Cascio

Men's Basketball Senior

Team captain
Earned cardinal status (3.0-3.49 grade-point average) on the Cardinal & Gold Wall.
Overcame family hardships to come play at CSUDH. He was not sure whether or not he would have been able to play beyond junior college because of it.
Came off the bench for the team and made three 3-pointers for a 42.9 shooting percentage from behind the arc this past season. His lack of playing time never impacted his ability to lead, help others and be an extension of the coaching staff.

Jackson is a walk-on and captain for us the past two seasons. He is a selfless leader who always puts his team first and mentored younger players.

Head Men's Basketball Coach Steve Becker

Austin De Medeiros

Men's Soccer Senior

Team captain
Showed tremendous work ethic to rehab and come back from a serious knee injury the previous year.
Despite the rehab, he still was not at 100 percent and competed most of the season battling injury. On the days he could not perform, he was positive on the side lines and encouraged his teammates.
Played in 12 games with 10 starts and logged 707 minutes. Scored one goal against Humboldt State.

Austin De Medeiros (click image to go to bio)

Austin is the captain of our group. He communicated well with players, young and old, and inspired the team and staff through his words and actions.

Head Men's Soccer Coach Eddie Soto

Jade Loe (click image to go to bio)

Jade Loe

Softball Senior

Earned gold status (3.5-3.99 grade-point average) on the Cardinal & Gold Wall.
Inspires her teammates by working tirelessly to better her game. It has shown results on the field as she has improved her batting average every season. She has battled a multitude of injuries throughout her Toro career, but has never used it as an excuse.
Started all 24 games and sported a .293 batting average with 10 runs, 18 RBI and four home runs.

Jade is a competitor in everything she does. She is one of our top students every semester. She inspires her teammates every day by pushing her limits. Her personality is respected by all and is such a people person.

Head Softball Coach Jim Maier

Sha'Rese Medley

Dance Senior

Head Captain
Competed this past season grieving the loss of her brother, who tragically passed away.
Came back to compete after having a seizure, which left her with a shoulder dislocation injury that would nag her throughout the season.
She dislocated her shoulder once more during a practice before Nationals competition, but did not let it hinder her as she casually popped it back into place, inspiring her teammates to push their limits.
Led the team at Nationals to 7th place in college gameday and 11th in college hip hop.

Sha'Rese Medley (click image to go to bio)

Sha'Rese spent the last three years on the team with her final and most recent as head captain. Her leadership is noted by the fact that she was chosen captain by a peer-vote amongst her teammates. She has persevered through unimaginable traumatic experience with quiet determination and unwavering commitment to the team.

Head Dance Coach Cilecia Foster

Lynda Nguyen (click image to go to bio)

Lynda Nguyen

Volleyball Junior

Earned gold status (3.5-3.99 grade-point average) on the Cardinal & Gold Wall.
Inspires others by working hard. It has paid off with her development as she became the full-time libero and started in that role for all 86 sets this past season. Even when she was not on the court, she maintained a competitive desire and was encouraging to all her teammates.
Led the team in total digs (268) and per set (3.03), and was fourth on the team in assists (58).

Lynda is consistent, no matter what the circumstance. She is positive, competitive, hard working, encouraging, passionate, supportive and has a team-first mentality, no matter what. This kid is solid, bottom line. If I were to go to war, I am taking Lynda with me.

Head Volleyball Coach Jen Adeva

Jermesha Randall (click image to go to bio)

Jermesha Randall

Cheer Junior

Is the caretaker of her mother and grandfather, both who are battling cancer, and her younger nephew. Despite juggling multiple jobs, school, cheerleading and family, she remains dedicated to each one.
Dedicates her CSUDH cheer career to honor her best friend who tragically passed away while cheering at a football game during her senior year of high school. Her best friend was set to become a Toro cheerleader.
Leads by example. She is the top fundraiser of the program and was responsible for recruiting half of the participants for Youth Day, which had a big turnout overall.
Praised by her coaches for her stunts, jumps, elaborate routines and crowd encouragement.

Jermesha is not only an exemplary student-athlete, she is also the epitome of resilience and dedication. She has overcome much adversity, and all the while would show up to games and events with a bright smile and positive attitude.

Head Cheer Coach Cameron Thurman

Patricia Rubio-Martinez

Women's Soccer Sophomore

Earned gold status (3.5-3.99 grade-point average) on the Cardinal & Gold Wall.
Inspires her teammates because of her work ethic and development over the last few years. She started her Toro career by redshirting her true freshman year and has improved to the point where she started every match this past season.
Led the team in assists with three, and was second in points (9) and goals (3). She helped the program reach the CCAA tournament for the first time in 10 years.

Patricia Rubio-Martinez (click image to go to bio)

Patty is an inspiration to the team and the coaching staff because she is so fearless. She works extremely hard in her academics and carries it over to the field.

Head Women's Soccer Coach Marine Cano