UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University men's and women's track and field and cross country teams held their annual awards banquet on Sunday (Apr. 22) to recognize the student-athletes and volunteers for their hard work and dedication throughout the 2011-12 seasons.

SVSU Track & Field and Cross Country head coach Rod Cowan and assistants Makiba Batten, Tony Filipek and Ed Skrelunas maintained the tradition of handing out awards to honor student-athletes and volunteers in a number of categories.

The following awards were presented at the banquet on Sunday:

Cross Country
Men
Best New Athlete - Joey Burelle (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson HS)
Most Improved Athlete - Jake Lauka (Oxford, Mich./Lake Orion HS)
Most Dedicated Athlete - Tyler Noble (Shepherd, Mich./Shepherd HS)
Team MVP - Tyler Noble

Women
Best New Athlete - Emily Short (Tawas, Mich./Tawas Area HS)
Most Improved Athlete - Lauren Hill (Flat Rock, Mich./Flat Rock HS)
Most Dedicated Athlete - Jean Hollerbach (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich./Grosse Pointe South HS)
Melvyn Adelman Team MVP - Megan Pittoors (Macomb, Mich./Dakota HS)

Track & Field
Men
Best New Athlete - Drew Meylan (Bay City, Mich./Bay City Western HS)
Most Improved Athlete - Jon Wetters (Essexville, Mich./Garber HS)
Most Dedicated Athlete - Trevor Opalewski (St. Clair Shores, Mich./South Lake HS)
Team MVP - Tyler Grob (Pinckney, Mich./Pinckney HS)

Women
Best New Athlete - Emily Short
Most Improved Athlete - Elizabeth Sampson (Willis, Mich./Lincoln HS)
Most Dedicated Athlete - Angie Brooks (Ortonville, Mich./Brandon HS)
Team MVP - Alycia Wright (Macomb, Mich./Lutheran North HS)
Merry Jo Brandimore "Four Cards" Award - Alycia Wright
Chuck Wheeker Volunteer of the Year Award - Hugh Matson

The SVSU men's and women's Outdoor Track & Field teams will compete in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships May 2-4 hosted by Grand Valley State University.