The San Marcos Academy athletics department held its annual awards ceremony on Monday, April 29 and honored athletes from every sport with MVP and Battlin’ Bear awards. In addition to bestowing awards on deserving athletes, the football team celebrated one of their own, CJ Crauthers, as he signed his National Letter of Intent to play football at the next level at Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas.
SMA presents the Battlin’ Bear award to a student athlete in each sport who isn’t necessarily the best player on the team but is the one who works the hardest, leads by example and competes with the most heart. The MVP award is reserved for the athletes who are the best players on their respective teams. For football, the MVP award is called the Steve Fordham Award. Football also bestows the Burlsworth Character Award each year to a deserving student athlete.
This year, the Battlin’ Bear award was presented to: Cash Miller and Aiden Nolen – football; Lauren Hurst – volleyball; Mia Campbell – cheer; Mark Mehrens – cross country; Layton Schawe – boys basketball and tennis; Nathaniel Blackstone – boys soccer and tennis; Emma Feigl – girls soccer; CJ Crauthers – baseball; Lizzy Scull – softball; Bryce Harper – tennis; Braydon Hurst – track; Madi Koenig – track; and Ireland Gunder – track.
Recipients of the MVP award included: CJ Crauthers – Steve Fordham Award for football; Damaris Jaramillo – volleyball; Chloe Crawford – cheer and softball; Blain Montgomery – cross country and tennis; Isaiah Quintanilla – boys basketball; Eli Norman – boys soccer; Ireland Gunder – girls soccer; Parrish Facciponte – baseball; Emma Fiegl – tennis; Aiden Nolan – track; and Emma Sanchez – track. The Burlsworth Character Award for football was awarded to CJ Crauthers.
In addition to the many awards CJ Crauthers took home on Monday night, he also celebrated the signing of his National Letter of Intent to play football at Bethel College. Crauthers, a TAPPS 3A honorable mention all-state spread back, racked up an impressive stat sheet during his senior season at SMA. He completed 127 out of 229 passes for an impressive 2143 yards and 41 touchdowns. Crauthers was also a threat on the ground, rushing for 407 yards and two touchdowns. And just because he could, Crauthers also had four catches for 38 yards and one touchdown during the season. His steady play and leadership abilities, both on the field and off, made Crauthers the perfect recruit for Bethel College.
“CJ is just a great kid all around. He is a team leader, a great example for the younger athletes and an exceptional football player. There is a perception that playing 6-man football doesn’t translate to playing 11-man at the college level. CJ is proof that it does. We are going to miss him at SMA next year but wish him all the luck during his college career,” said Toby Wade, athletic director.
Crauthers will spend the summer getting ready to play at the next level before he leaves for pre-season training with the team in August.
“CJ has played football since he was five years old. We have loved watching him grow in his abilities throughout the years of playing both 11-man and 6-man football. We are so proud and excited to see him excel at the next level,” said Becky Crauthers, CJ’s mom.
SMA Senior CJ Crauthers signs his National Letter of Intent surrounded by family and SMA coaching staff. Photo courtesy of SMA
