Smith announces 2023-24 postseason honors for Tech women's golf
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech golf coach Amanda Smith released the annual postseason honors for the Golden Eagle women's team recently, presenting four student-athletes with awards earned for the 2023-24 season.
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech golf coach Amanda Smith released the annual postseason honors for the Golden Eagle women's team recently, presenting four student-athletes with awards earned for the 2023-24 season.
Taking home the Most Valuable Player Award for the women's team was freshman Chloe Griffith. The Most Improved Player Award went to junior Reagan Stuke while the Coach's Award was presented to sophomore Kaydi Rhodes. Senior Ainsley Simms marked the team's Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership winner.
It didn't take long for Griffith to establish herself as one of the best golfers in the Ohio Valley Conference, leading the Golden Eagles in top-10 finishes and scoring average as a true freshman. Firing a 75.81 average during her rookie campaign, she topped the program's previous single-season record set by Maddi Everts back in 2014-15.
On her way to earning All-OVC accolades, the freshman became the first Golden Eagle in program history to capture medalist honors at the team's annual Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate. She also tied for the second-lowest 54-hole score in program history, ripping off a 218 at the UNCG Collegiate for a top-10 showing.
"As a freshman, Chloe proved she has every right to be considered one of the best players in the OVC," Smith explained. "Her competitiveness and spirit for teamwork really elevated our group to a new level. I am grateful that she has not only encouraged myself, but this whole team to be better."
Stuke competed in six of the team's events during the year, showing vast improvement from her first two seasons donning the purple and gold. The junior delivered an 80.56 scoring average, slashing more than three full strokes from her previous best season.
"It's been an honor to watch Reagan grow throughout the years she has been here," Smith expressed. "Her tenacity and work ethic have shown throughout this junior year. Reagan is always the kind of player who makes sure she continually grows, not only on the golf course, but in the weight room and mentally with her habits. I'm excited to see how she can find her strengths leading into her senior year and as a leader of this team."
Rhodes was a consummate teammate throughout the year, one that saw the sophomore end the season with a massive splash at the OVC Championships. The youngster produced at a career-best clip in the event, dropping a 229 to tie for fourth and become the first Golden Eagle to earn OVC All-Tournament honors since Allyson Dunn in 2016.
"Kaydi is beyond deserving of this award," Smith said. "This last year, she did more than just play phenomenally at the OVC Tournament. She stepped up in so many ways from when her teammates needed her most and was willing to make selfless acts. It is an honor to award this meaningful accomplishment to Kaydi as she steps into her junior season. I know she will only get better and better these next few years."
Simms concluded her Golden Eagle career after another impressive season in the books, ranking second on the team with a 76.88 scoring average and taking home All-OVC honors for the second consecutive year, the first Golden Eagle to do so since Ashley Spangler picked up recognition in 2007 and 2008. A leader by every sense of the word, her play backed it all up as the senior ended her time in Cookeville with the fourth-lowest scoring average in program history with a mark of 78.04.
"It is amazing to watch how much Ainsley has cared for this team and University," Smith expressed. "Every year, we have encouraged her to speak up and take charge of what she wanted for this team. This year she truly did that, and with amazement. She always came to me when she knew the team needed some type of motivation or when there was a pressing matter. Ainsley always had the team's best interest at heart and I will be forever grateful for the four years we had with her."
The Most Valuable Player Award and the Most Improved Player Award have both been presented since 1994. The Coach's Award and Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership were established for the 2019-20 season, replacing a few other honors from the past.
The Coach's Award goes to the player displaying the best attitude, most dedication, and biggest impact to the team for the given year. The Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership, named after the late, Hall of Fame head coach, is presented to the player who has shown and provided the most leadership on the team during the given year.
Men's Awards
MVP: Chloe Griffith
Most Improved Player: Reagan Stuke
Coach's Award: Kaydi Rhodes
Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership: Ainsley Simms
Photos by Raven Guilford & David Oghenekaro
