Greenville, SC – Conference Carolinas announced the Herff Jones Female Athlete of the Year on Thursday with Southern Wesleyan's own Mycherie Onwuzuruike receiving the award. Onwuzuruike will become the first Warrior to ever receive the prestigious award.
"I am so proud of Mycherie," commented Director of Athletics Julia Reininga, "she is truly deserving of this outstanding honor. She has represented the university well both on and off the track. Her love of God shows through in all she does."
The graduate student from Powder Springs, Georgia joined the Warriors in the 2018-19 season as a freshman. She has since become one of the most decorated individuals since Southern Wesleyan transitioned into the NCAA Division II.
"What a great ending to an incredible Track & Field career at SWU," said Head Track and Field Coach Greg Thiel. "Mycherie is everything Track & Field is about. She is a great competitor, humble and an incredible ambassador for the sport, Conference Carolinas and Southern Wesleyan. But most importantly is how she always gave God all the glory and shared her love for Jesus to all no matter success or struggles. Jesus is her anchor."
Onwuzuruike wrapped up her illustrious career as a Warrior this past season. She started strong in the Indoor Track and Field season as she claimed All-Conference First Team honors in both the Long Jump and 4x400 Meter Relay. During her long jump event, Onwuzuruike set a new conference meet record of 5.91 meters. Her jump ranked her 15th in the nation. She also took All-Conference Third Team honors in the Triple Jump. Her impressive Conference Carolinas Championship appearance allowed her to also be named the Conference Carolinas Field Athlete of the Year. Onwuzuruike went on to receive All-Region honors in both the Long Jump and the 4x400 Meter Relay
She continued to press ahead in the Indoor Track and Field season as she was invited to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championship as the 18th seed. In her second jump of the day, Onwuzuruike jumped a distance of 6.09 meters, breaking both her previous school record and Conference Carolinas records and allowing her to claim fourth place at the National Championship. Her top four finish allowed her to become not only the first Indoor All-American in school history since the transition to NCAA Division II, but also the first ever Field Event All-American.
Onwuzuruike maintained her strong final season with three All-Conference Carolinas finishes at the Conference Carolinas Outdoor Track and Field Championship. She took first in the Long Jump and 4x100 Meter Relay to earn All-Conference First Team in those events. Once again, Onwuzuruike blew her long jump distance out of the water as her jump of 6.16 meters broke the stadium, meet and Conference Carolinas record. She then picked up an All-Conference Second Team award in the 100 Meters. Her top finishes also allowed her to receive All-Region honors in the 4x100 Meter Relay, 4x400 Meter Relay, 100 Meters, Triple Jump and Long Jump.
Once again, she was invited to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship. At nationals, Onwuzuruike cleared a distance of 5.85 meters to allow her to finish in 16th place.
Throughout the 2022-23 Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field season, the Warriors broke several school records. Onwuzuruike was among the record breakers as she broke two during the Indoor season and three in the Outdoor season. During the Indoor Track and Field season, she set the new school record in the 60 meters at the Clemson Opener as she ran it in 7.65 seconds. She went on to set the new school and conference record in the Long Jump as she cleared a distance of 6.09 meters at the NCAA Indoor National Championship. In the Outdoor Track and Field season, Onwuzuruike set one track record and two field records. Her time of 11.66 at the Conference Carolinas Outdoor Championship allowed her to set a new school record in the 100 meters. She continued to impress at the championship as her triple jump distance of 11.77 meters allowed her to set a second school record. Onwuzuruike jumped a phenomenal 6.16 meters in the Long Jump at the Southside Power & Fitness Invitational on April 15 to set yet another school record in her final Outdoor Track and Field season.
"It's an honor and privilege to be on a platform such as this as an unapologetic Christian female athlete," said Onwuzuruike. "I have the opportunity to represent My father, best friend, and savior… The Lord Jesus Christ in such a beautiful way. I also get to represent Southern Wesleyan, my family, and Nigeria. I hope to continue to strive to be a great light and leader to others, not just athletically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. I am truly grateful to receive this out of all of the athletes and teams in Conference Carolinas. I would love to give a Bible verse to end this the right way, but there are so many great ones to choose from! So I will leave with this, The Lord is good always…May God bless you guys!"
Herff Jones Conference Carolinas Female Athlete of the Year Winners
2022-23 Mycherie Onwuzuruike, Southern Wesleyan
2021-22 Shanika Peterkin, Barton
2020-21 Jharna Alston, Emmanuel
2019-20 Shanika Peterkin, Barton
2018-19 Leah Hanle, Mount Olive
2017-18 Shannon Sisk, Limestone
2016-17 Jasmine Kearse, Limestone
2015-16 Jasmine Kearse, Limestone
2014-15 Alicia Brookins, Limestone
2013-14 Nyeshea Willie, Barton
2012-13 Kay Schellenberg, Belmont Abbey
2011-12 Ashley Alderin-Fleagle, Limestone
2010-11 Racquel Prager, Limestone
2009-10 Tanya Zeferjahn, Queens
2008-09 Lauryn Wise, Limestone
2007-08 Samantha Mitchell, Mount Olive
2006-07 Deidra Langston, Anderson
2005-06 Keauna Vinson, Barton
2004-05 LaShonda Chiles, Anderson
2003-04 Tina Gonsalves, St. Andrews
2002-03 Jennifer Potts, Longwood
2001-02 Shemkia Reid, Barton
2000-01 Jen Calderwood, Lees-McRae
1999-00 Angela Placona, Belmont Abbey
1998-99 Missy Paterson, Coker
1997-98 Missy Paterson, Coker
1996-97 Missy Paterson, Coker
1995-96 Staci Albright, Coker
