SALEM, Ore. – The 2020-21 academic year was highly unorthodox, resulting in perhaps the most unique season of athletics in Corban University's history. Despite numerous logistical challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all 17 of the Navy and Gold's varsity sport offerings managed to compete in some form last year, showcasing the grit and resiliency of Warrior student-athletes in never-before-seen ways.

With the 2020-21 academic year officially complete, it is time to look back and celebrate the accomplishments of Corban University's student-athletes and teams throughout the past year.

Though the Golden Warrior Awards are typically celebrated with a grandiose formal gathering, restrictions on public gatherings throughout much of the early part of 2021 forced the event to go digital for a second consecutive year. Leadership within the Warrior athletic department is optimistic that the event will return to an in-person format for the 2022 celebration.

In lieu of a formal gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Golden Warrior Awards will be announced via CorbanWarriors.com throughout the week, with a portion of honorees unveiled at 7 p.m. each night through Thursday evening.

As is customary, this year's nominees were submitted by each of their respective head coaches, with the winners determined via a panel of voters that includes athletic administration, faculty, avid Corban supporters, coaches, and Warrior fans.

The winners of four award categories will be unveiled each night, concluding with the announcement of the Play of the Year, Mr. and Ms. Corban, and Team of the Year on Thursday, July 22.

Below are the winners of the Mighty Warrior Award, Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and Male and Female Newcomer of the Year awards.

Mighty Warrior Award – Brigid Shannon, Women's Wrestling

Shannon was at the forefront of a historic season for the Warrior women's wrestling team, spearheading the squad in its first-ever season of competition. Not only was the team's season a monumental one, but Shannon's individual efforts were also groundbreaking. She became the first NAIA All-American in program history when she placed sixth in the 136-pound bracket at the NAIA Championships, forever sealing her name in the Corban record books.

Beyond her performance on the mat, she is known as a resilient team leader, captaining the team in a year filled with unprecedented trials and obstacles. Impactful both athletically and spiritually, she figures to be a centerpiece of the Warrior women's wrestling program throughout her time in the Navy and Gold.

Other nominees: Jacob Asa (Baseball), McKinnley Reznicsek (Men's Golf), Ryan Botkin (Men's Soccer), David Rubio (Men's Wrestling), Tabby Humphrey (Softball), Sydney Nichol (Women's Cross Country), Robert Swoboda (Men's Cross Country), Kenny Purnell (Men's Track & Field), Valerie Schmidt (Women's Track & Field), Kealani Ontai (Volleyball), Shaelie Burgess (Women's Basketball), Delainey Patterson (Women's Golf), Abby Furrow (Women's Soccer), Lauren Condon (Beach Volleyball), Sarah Whitbey (Women's Lacrosse), Domen Omladic (Men's Basketball)

Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Makiah Johnson, Softball

Wrapping up an incredible tenure as a member of the Navy and Gold, Johnson turned in the best season of her collegiate career in 2021. The leadoff hitter notched career bests in average (.404), RBI (43), runs (46), home runs (7), hits (67), and slugging (.645). She was named a First-Team All-Conference outfielder for her efforts, perhaps just as impressively, she maintained a stellar 3.92 GPA along the way.

Other nominees: Kealani Ontai (Volleyball), Gracie Long (Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field), Melanie Miller (Beach Volleyball), Delainey Patterson (Women's Golf)

Male Newcomer of the Year – Noe Favila, Men's Soccer

Due to intra-conference transfer policies, Favila had to sit out the entirety of the 2019 season after transferring to the Warrior men's soccer team from Multnomah University. His patience paid off in a big way, as the dynamic forward immediately became one of the squad's primary weapons during the 2021 spring campaign.

Favila led the entire Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) in assists with seven, while ranking second on the Warrior squad in goals with five. He was named a First-Team All-CCC award-winner for his performance, playing an integral role in the team's CCC West-Division Championship and eighth-straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

Other nominees: Kyle Clay (Baseball), Jordan Newt (Men's Basketball)

Female Newcomer of the Year – Kristin Senatra, Women's Golf

For the second-straight year, a member of the Corban women's golf team has been named the Female Newcomer of the Year. Senatra rose to the top of a loaded field of nominees thanks to her historic freshman season on the links. The rookie earned All-CCC accolades, tallying the sixth-lowest scoring average (80.9) in the conference. That mark is the fourth-lowest scoring average in school history, and the second-lowest average from a freshman in program history.

In her six events in 2020-21, she registered five top-ten finishes and three top-five placements, with the highlight of her season coming when she was a Co-Medalist at the Bushnell Fall Invite.

Other nominees: Juliana Pires (Women's Soccer), Rylee Troutman (Volleyball), Halle Wright (Women's Basketball)

Stay tuned to CorbanWarriors.com for all of this year's Golden Warrior Award honorees, with the Unsung Hero, Comeback of the Year, Individual Performance of the Year, and Breakthrough Athlete of the Year slated to be recognized tomorrow evening.