Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
- The Savannah State Community Booster Club presented the W. W. Law Athletic Scholarships to Bryce Favors and Amaia Connor, $1,000 each.
- Nine student-athletes earned a 4.0 GPA, including Maddison Starling-Martin, Seth Stargell, and Robert Estabrook.
- The awards ceremony featured a season highlight video and remarks from Director of Athletics Opio Mashariki and head coaches.
- Sport-specific honors included Johan Sandoval (Baseball MVP), Cinsere Clark (Football Offensive Player of the Year), and Jayla Givens.
- Follow Savannah State athletics @SavStateTigers on social media or visit ssuathletics.com for complete coverage.
SAVANNAH, Ga.- The Savannah State University Department of Athletics recognized student-athletes in 15 sports and cheerleaders at its annual Athletics Banquet at the SSU Student Union Ballroom on April 26, 2026.
The annual event serves as an opportunity for SSU to honor and recognize the achievements of its student-athletes during the 2025-26 academic year in the classroom and the playing field.
During the banquet, the Savannah State Community Booster Club presented two student-athletes the prestigious W. W. Law Athletic Scholarships. The 2026 recipients were Bryce Favors and Amaia Connor. Both will receive a scholarship worth $1,000.
A offensive lineman on the Tigers football team, Favors carries a 3.397 grade point average while majoring in mechanical engineering technology. He hails from Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Connor is a member of the women’s tennis team and is majoring in business management. A native of Loganville, Georgia, Connor has a 3.571 grade point average.
Also recognized during the banquet were several student-athletes who have a 4.0 grade point average.
The nine Scholar Student-Athletes include Maddison Starling-Martin (softball), Seth Stargell (baseball), Robert Estabrook (men’s track & field), Lucas Edenfield (football), Roberto Robles Ramos (baseball), Jayla Givens (softball), Jakyverah Jackson (cheer), A’Marie Poole (cheer), and Allyson McCray (cheer).
The awards ceremony featured a highlight video of the 2025-26 athletic season along with individual awards as well as remarks from the Director of Athletics Opio Mashariki and head coaches.
Men’s Basketball
Zion Davis – Most Improved Player
Zyere Edwards – Defensive Player of the Year
Javonte Landy – Offensive Player of the Year
Volleyball
Amiyah Walker – Most Valuable Player
Savannah Everett – Offensive Most Valuable Player
Aaliyah Saunders – Defensive Most Valuable Player
Men’s Cross Country
Jade-Wayne McPherson – Most Valuable Runner
Women’s Cross Country
Saniya Swain – Most Valuable Runner
Men’s Track & Field
Jaden- Wayne McPherson – Most Valuable Distance Runner
JahKhai St Louis – Most Valuable Sprinter
Jakobe Mobley – Most Valuable Jumper
Robert Estabrook – Most Valuable Thrower
Saniya Swain – Most Valuable Sprinter
Kionna Chance – Most Valuable Jumper
Lauren Clark – Most Valuable Thrower
Baseball
Johan Sandoval – Hitter of the Year
Austin McCormack – Pitcher of the Year
Johan Sandoval – Most Valuable Player
Women’s Basketball
Jayden Boykin – Offensive Player of the Year
Jaliyah Harper – Defensive Player of the Year
Jazmin Thornton – Most Improved Player
Softball
Ansley Hudson – Offensive Most Valuable Player
Donnea Allen – Pitcher of the Year
Jayla Givens – Freshman of the Year
Cinsere Clark – Offensive Player of the Year
Darrian Bell – Defensive Player of the Year
Tony Rountree – Team Most Valuable Player
Stay Connected
For complete coverage of Savannah State University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @SavStateTigers on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly Known As Twitter), or visit the official online home of SSU Athletics at http://ssuathletics.com.
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