DALLAS, TX- The University of North Texas at Dallas student-athletes of the Track and Field, Basketball, and Cross Country teams were recognized for their outstanding achievements during the 2023-2024 Trailblazer awards ceremony.

In all, 26 awards and certificates were handed out to student-athletes for their achievements in the classroom and in their sport.

On the academic side, both NAIA scholar athlete and Chi Alpha Sigma awards were handed out. To earn the status of NAIA Scholar Athlete, a student must be at least sophomore status with a minimum of a 3.5GPA and at UNTD for at least one academic year. Below are the 2023-2024 scholar-athletes awarded at the time of the ceremony. Spring scholar-athletes will be revealed at a later date.
                        NAIA Scholar Athletes:
                        Women's Cross Country: Malaisha Cartwright.
                        Women's Basketball: Kayla James
                        Men's Basketball: Sergio McClain, Daniel Sohn

Chi Alpha Sigma is the only collegiate athletic and academic honor society for student athletes. In order to receive this honor you must be a junior and attend the institution for a year while earning a 3.4GPA. We have 3 honorees that are UNT Dallas' first inductees.
                        Chi Alpha Sigma:
                        Women's Track and Field: Malaisha Cartwright
                        Men's Basketball: Daniel Sohn
                        Women's Basketball: Kayla James 

On the individual team side, student-athletes were awarded a high GPA, sportsmanship, newcomer and overall athlete of the year.
    
                        Women's XC/TF
                        Jack Allday Sportsmanship award: Sa'Nyia Persely
                        Women's XC/TF Highest GPA: Ryleah Fisher
                        Newcomer of the Year: Jordyn Stephens
                        Women's XC/TF Athlete of the Year: Malaisha Cartwright
 
                        Men's XC/TF
                        Jack Allday Sportsmanship award: Major McGill, IV
                        Men's XC/TF Highest GPA: Devin Page
                        Newcomer of the Year: Ernest Ayanugo
                        Men's XC/TF Athlete of the Year: Devin Page
 
                        Women's Basketball: Coach Belcher
                        Jack Allday Sportsmanship Award: Sidney McHenry
                        Women's basketball Highest GPA: Kayla James
                        Newcomer of the Year: De'Asia Johnson
                        Women's basketball Athlete of the Year: Kayla James
     
                        Men's Basketball: Coach Johnson
                        Jack Allday Sportsmanship Award: Tariq Aman
                        Men's basketball Highest GPA: Daniel Sohn
                        Newcomer of the Year: Kanntrell Burney
                        Men's basketball Athlete of the Year: Vernon Johnson

The 2023-2024 graduating seniors were honored with their student-athlete stoles.
                        Women's Basketball: Kayla James, Sidney McHenry, ZyUnn Cormier, and Mykayla Dumas
                         Men's Basketball: Tariq Aman

The last award given was the Trailblazer of the year award. This award was voted on by athletic department staff and encompasses the entirety of what a student athlete is. These outstanding individuals exemplified leadership in the classroom, the community and in their sport while also earning achievements in each. 

                        Female: Malaisha Cartwright, Kayla James
                        Male: Vernon Johnson