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 Friday, presenting four student-athletes with awards earned for the 2021-22 season.
Taking home the Most Valuable Player Award for the women's team was senior Hannah Bratton. The Most Improved Player Award went to junior Makenzie Morton while the Coach's Award was presented to sophomore Ainsley Simms. Senior Heidi Lawson marked the team's Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership winner.
For the second straight year, Bratton collected team MVP honors after once again leading the Golden Eagles in scoring average with a mark of 78.82. One of two players to compete in all 28 rounds for the purple and gold, she proved to be the most consistent presence for the team all season.
She capped her final year in Cookeville with a top-15 finish at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, helping lead Tech to a fourth-place showing. It marked the team's best performance since a runner-up performance in 2016.
"It has been amazing watching Hannah continue to not only push herself this year but push her teammates to be better," Smith said. "After some challenging setbacks because of injuries, she fought her way through the season. Hannah provides not only a highly competitive nature but she genuinely cares for the school and her teammates. We're very happy to recognize Hannah with such a deserving award."
Morton took her game to a new level as a junior, earning the team's Most Improved Player Award while competing in six of the team's nine events on the year. After taking part in just one tournament in 2020-21, her 16 rounds of play in 2021-22 saw her expand her game and gain huge development opportunities heading into her senior season.
"I am excited to award this to Makenzie for not only her improvement in golf but her personal growth this year," Smith expressed. "It has been great to see her play in some tough events and make huge strides in her game. She continues to show up to practice eager to work and has taken it upon herself to improve her mental strategies. It will be fun to watch what more she can do during her final season next year."
Collecting the Coach's Award for the second time in as many years, Simms joined Bratton as the only players to complete all 28 rounds for the Golden Eagles during the season, finishing second on the squad with a 79.18 scoring average. The sophomore led by example, collecting a top-10 finish and improving her scoring average by almost a full stroke from her rookie campaign.
"This award goes to Ainsley for so many reasons," Smith explained. "As a teammate, she has the ability to draw people in with her dedication, especially in such a difficult sport. She is a fighter and really brought the whole season together with such a great finish during the OVC Championships. As a Coach, it has been awesome seeing her ability to face adversity and come out stronger than ever."
Another repeat winner, Lawson was named the Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership winner for the second straight year after wrapping up her Golden Eagle career and serving as a valuable mentor to her teammates. She competed in eight of the team's nine events, earning a top-10 finish at the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate and rounding out her time in the purple and gold with a top-15 showing at the OVC Championships.
"Heidi took it upon herself to have open and honest dialogue with each of her teammates this year," Smith said. "She made it a point to grow a lot as a leader through her experiences, all the way back from her freshman season. Even at times of struggle, she makes it a point to provide loving feedback to those in need. As a senior, her leadership not only benefited the younger players but her peers throughout the University."
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.
Women's Awards
Most Valuable Player: Hannah Bratton
Most Improved Player: Makenzie Morton
Coach's Award: Ainsley Simms
Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership: Heidi Lawson