University of Houston Athletics
Student-Athletes Honored at Cougar Choice Awards
5/3/2017 12:00:00 AM | General
HOUSTON â€" Student-athletes and staff from the University Of Houston Department Of Athletics convened Wednesday night along with members of the Corbin J. Robertson Society, the highest level of giving for Cougar Pride, for the 2017 Cougar Choice Awards presented by and led by the Houston Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Held inside the Moores Opera Center on the UH campus, the ceremony highlighted the student-athletes' 2016-17 accomplishments and awarded several academic and athletic awards throughout the night.
 | 2017 Season Ticket Information | Join Cougar Pride |
Two student-athletes received the highest athletic honors of the year as they were named the 2017 Cougars of the Year. Swimming & Diving junior Micaela Bouter and Football sophomore Ed Oliver received the night's top honors after successful seasons.
Bouter excelled in the pool and out as the junior was named The American Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year and The American's Most Outstanding Diver. The Johannesburg, South Africa, native claimed The American championship in 3-meter springboard while finishing as the runner-up in the platform and 1-meter springboard. Bouter claimed 12 event wins throughout the 2016-17 season.
Oliver capped his first year at Houston with seven first team All-America honors in addition to two second team All-America mentions and a spot on the FWAA Freshman All-America Team. Also named Scout's Freshman of the Year and the winner of the 2016 Bill Willis Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive lineman by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, Oliver was named The American's Rookie of the Year.
Oliver was also named the Rookie of the Year on Wednesday night.
Senior Brian Barraza from the Track & Field program received the Male Academic Cougar of the Year award, while Women's Golf junior Megan Thothong was named the Female Academic Cougar of the Year.
In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Thothong has shown herself to be a leader in the classroom. Owning a 3.96 cumulative GPA in marketing she was twice recognized as a member of the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and as an All-American Scholar by the Women's Golf Coaches Association.
Barraza is a two-time member of the USTFCCCA All-Academic team (2015, 2016), which requires cross country athletes to have at least a 3.25 GPA and finish within the top-25 at the NCAA Regional of Championship meet. A kinesiology major, Barraza has earned Dean's List honors in seven consecutive semesters, each that he has been on campus, dating back to the fall of 2013.
Renamed after the late great Houston football student-athlete Rich Stotter, the Rich Stotter Champions for Life Award, was bestowed upon Men's Basketball's Danrad "Chicken" Knowles. The Bahamian is a constant presence throughout the Houston Athletics Department and is seen at a number of athletic events throughout the year. A fan favorite who has been nicknamed the "Mayor of the University of Houston", Knowles started 25 games while playing in 31 in 2016-17 and finished his career as the school record holder with 72 conference games played and is fourth with 126 overall games played.
Felipe Valencia, a junior in the Houston Track & Field program, was given the D.J. Hayden Courageous Cougar Award Wednesday night. An award in its third year, the D.J. Hayden Courageous Cougar Award is named for Houston Football letterman D.J. Hayden who suffered a near-fatal heart injury in the fall of 2012 before making a miraculous recovery and being drafted 12th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft.
The 2016 American champion in the indoor shot put, Valencia endured his father's unexpected passing and his mother suffering a stroke in a short time period while he himself battled injuries. In addition to his conference championship, Valencia also competed at the Mexican Olympic Trials and represented Mexico at the 2016 NACAC Under-23 Championships, where he placed third in the shot put.
One of the most spirited individuals in the entire Houston Athletics department, Volleyball's Chenelle Walker, who is often seen sporting red at a number of Athletics events, received the Spirit Award.
Houston Swimming & Diving head coach Ryan Wochomurka received the Head Coach of the Year Award after leading Houston to its first conference title in program history in just his second season with the program. With a conference championship and three American Athletic Conference champions in Micaela Bouter, Peyton Kondis and Laura Laderoute, Wochomurka was recognized as the league's Coach of the Year.
Following Wochomurka's lead, the Houston Swimming & Diving program was named Wednesday night's Team of the Year following its thrilling conference title that saw 10 Cougars receive honors from The American in 14 events.
Houston Football's thrilling 33-23 season-opening win over Oklahoma was chosen as the Game of the Year, while Brandon Wilson's kick-six return in the same game was chosen as the Play of the Year.
Honoring those who honor our student-athletes with their commitment to excellence, the Ken Baxter Award was given to an individual who knows what it's like to walk in the shoes of a Houston student-athlete. Corbin J. Robertson Society member Darryl Schroeder is a strong advocate for the University of Houston, Houston Athletics and most importantly, the student-athletes that perform in the classroom and on the field. He and his wife Lori are the namesakes for the home of Houston Baseball, Darryl and Lori Schroeder Park, and have generously supported the construction of several other Houston Athletics facilities.
Yuri Ashley, graduate assistant athletics trainer with Houston Track & Field and Cross Country, earned the Houston Athletics Staff Member of the Year Award as voted by on Houston SAAC.
Following the presentation of all awards, Houston Track & Field Head Coach Leroy Burrell and "H" Association President Alois Blackwell presented all graduating seniors with their letterwinner rings.
Each member in the Corbin J. Robertson Society underwrites the current cost of one full athletic scholarship. Society members have the privilege of being assigned a student-athlete and have numerous opportunities to nurture a personal relationship with that student during his or her collegiate career.
For more information on joining the Cougar Pride and becoming a member of the Corbin J. Robertson Society, please click here.
Players Mentioned
