Coker's Marks, Newberry's Davis Named South Atlantic Conference Lacrosse Scholar-Athletes of the Year
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Coker's Dylan Marks was voted the South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Tessa Davis from Newberry earned the women's honor, the League announced today. The pair earned the honor for their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.
The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports, and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee.
Marks, a senior from Westminster, Md., carries a 3.80 GPA in exercise science. He has been named to the Dean's List in each of the past three years and was twice named to the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. During his senior year, Marks earned the Coker College Department of Physical Education and Sports Studies Outstanding Student Award.
"Dylan has exemplified what it means to be a student-athlete," said Coker men's lacrosse head coach David Olliver. "He has been successful both in the classroom and on the field, and he has laid the foundation for future Cobra men's lacrosse players."
During the 2015 season, the defender played in all 14 contests for the Cobras and helped the squad to a share of the 2015 South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse Regular Season Title. Marks posted 36 ground balls and caused 16 turnovers. He also dished out one assist on the offensive side.
A three-year captain for the Cobras, he was named the Coker College Defensive MVP as a freshman and earned first-team All-SAC honors as a senior. During his junior year, Marks was tabbed honorable mention All-League.
Marks stays busy helping out in the community as a volunteer for several organizations. He has spent four years volunteering at the annual MS Bike Ride at Coker College and the Halloween Festival at Byerly Park. He has also helped unload 300 pumpkins for St. Bartholomew's Church during the past three years. Marks assisted with Habitat for Humanity as he helped shingle the roof of a house and volunteered at Byerly Park mending the park's fences. He was an adult leader on a mission trip to Owego, N.Y. and has spent two years teaching and coaching lacrosse at Trinity-Barnes school in Darlington, S.C.
Marks studied abroad in Malaga, Spain as a junior and has been accepted to the University of Maryland's Baltimore School of Medicine to study physical therapy.
"Over the past four years I have had the privilege of watching Tessa develop into an amazing young woman," said Newberry College head women's lacrosse coach Emily Bikowski. "She has maintained an almost perfect GPA and is the hardest working student-athlete on the team. She is one of my best Leaders."
Davis scored 11 goals on the year and dished out a pair of assists. She finished the year with a .733 shot percentage as she started all 14 games for the Wolves. She also picked up 20 ground balls and caused 10 turnovers during the 2015 campaign.
She has logged countless hours volunteering in her community. Davis has spent time volunteering at the Newberry Animal Shelter and has worked with the Newberry Disability Group. She has helped with the Newberry Safe Kids Halloween event every year at Newberry and has assisted with Newberry's Spring Fest all four years. Davis worked to aid in restoring a home with Home Works of America as well as working with the Make-A-Wish foundation. In her hometown in Virginia, she volunteered at the local library on summer and winter breaks.
Other Men's Lacrosse Nominees
Andrew Reilly, Brevard
Brady Richardson, Lenoir-Rhyne
Tanner Leach, Mars Hill
Drew Thompson, Wingate
Other Women's Lacrosse Nominees
Ashlea Mann, Brevard
Lauren Donovan, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sydney Dishman, Queens
Kendall Sienon, Wingate