CORVALLIS, Ore. – Northwest Christian University’s Maya Jenkins and Northwest University’s Ryan Ricks were named the 2019-20 Cascade Collegiate Conference Les Schwab Champions of Character, announced Wednesday.
The annual award recognizes one male and one female athlete who represent the five aspects of the Champions of Character – Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership. The award is voted on by the conference athletic directors based on nominations from member schools.
Jenkins, a senior on the Beacon softball team, has been a strong leader-by-example for four years. NCU had 13 newcomers on the team this year and Jenkins took the time to get to know each and every one, while continually checking in on them during their first year at NCU.
The Springfield, Ore. native was planning to be a big returner for the Beacons, but suffered a concussion early in February that would have sidelined her for the remainder of the season. Still, Jenkins was at every home game, came to practices as long as she could and went out of her way to be very supportive of her teammates.
As part of the softball leadership committee – which was voted on by the team in the fall – she helped organize community service activities, including Grassroots Garden and Generosity Feeds. Jenkins was also selected for a job with Generosity Feeds after graduation, which has been postponed due to the corona virus pandemic.
Even with working games for volleyball and basketball and a job off campus, Jenkins has maintained a 3.67 GPA in communication. She also volunteers at Timber Point Senior Living, where she plays Scrabble each week with one of their residents.
Other female nominees: Corban University’s Sydney Nichol (cross country/track), Oregon Tech’s McKenna Armatrout (softball), Eastern Oregon University’s Jillian Albright (basketball), University of Providence’s Yurie Yoneoka (wrestling), Multnomah University’s Shiloh Najjar (cross country), Southern Oregon University’s Nila Lukens (volleyball), Warner Pacific University’s Darbi Pink (basketball), and Menlo College’s Solin Piearcy (wrestling).
Ricks, a senior on the Eagles’ men’s basketball team, demonstrates all five aspects of the Champions of Character daily. Ricks is a man of integrity and faith, constantly living out his walk with Christ. He is honest and upfront even in the toughest situations. Ricks is the leader of the NU’s life group and demonstrates his servant leadership by organizing the group meetings and sharing his personal experiences.
The Spokane, Wash. native has a heart for service, helping organize the Eagles’ clothing drive, a campus cleanup, NU’s Color Run and other events. He is one of the first to volunteer, always with a smile and a happy heart.
As a team captain since his freshman year, Ricks holds a standard of excellence and emphasizes sportsmanship. He has never received a technical foul or warning during his career as an Eagle.
Despite his busy schedule, Ricks also maintains academic excellence as a business major and was named a CCC Academic Scholar-Athlete and nominated to be an Academic All-American.
Other male nominees: University of Providence’s Shonn Roberts (wrestling), Multnomah University’s Daniel Larrabee (cross country), Southern Oregon University’s Aaron Borich (basketball), Life Pacific University’s Jeremiah Smith (wrestling), Warner Pacific University’s Lucas Higginbotham (wrestling), Eastern Oregon University’s Max McCullough (basketball), Northwest Christian University’s Kaleb Miles (soccer), Corban University’s Dominique Lawrence (basketball), and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Collin Anderson (wrestling).