Virtual ‘Husky Awards’ honor Bent and Gilbert
Alterique Gilbert was honored for his courage, in overcoming a long series of injuries and opening up about his battle with mental health, during UConn’s virtual Husky Awards ceremony on Saturday night.
“I want to thank all the fans and supporters out there,” Gilbert said, in his video appearance. “I really appreciate this, it means a lot and hopefully it will open doorways for other people who would like to express their story.”
Gilbert had three shoulder surgeries during his career with the UConn men’s basketball program, finally completing a healthy season in 2019-20. Late in the season, he shared his battle with mental health with The Courant.
After his senior season was cut short by the coronavirus shutdown, Gilbert, who will graduate this month, transferred to Wichita State to play his final season of eligibility.
Since it was impossible to gather on campus for the usual, formal awards event, UConn athletes and coaches scattered all over the world were honored during a 30-minute video ceremony posted on Facebook on Saturday night.
Leona Sim (ice hockey) won the courage award among women’s athletes.
From women’s basketball, Molly Bent was named the first Ultimate Husky, chosen for her loyalty and support for her fellow athletes on campus.
“Who else but Molly Bent exemplifies all the things an ‘ultimate Husky’ needs to exemplify. Who’s the hardest worker? Molly Bent. Who has the most energy? Molly Bent,” UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma said.
“Who has gotten the respect of teammates and fans and athletes in general, coaches, staff and anybody’s she’s ever met? Molly Bent is the ultimate Husky.”
Will Kearsey, from Wheathampstead, England, who won three AAC titles in swimming, was the male athlete of the year, and international male athlete of the year. Kearsey was the Most Outstanding Swimmer in the conference tournament.
Field hockey standout Svea Boker, from Bremen, Germany, was both female athlete of the year, and international female athlete of the year. She had 53 goals and 55 assists during her career.
“It’s incredible how much support we get at UConn,” Boker said, “which makes the transition to a new country much easier.”
Sophie Hamilton of the field hockey team was the top female rookie, and David Ajama (track and field) was male rookie of the year, and was honored for his single performance, winning the AAC triple jump title. Mia Nahom, from New Milford, of the women’s track team, was honored for top performance by a female athlete.
The Kinsman Award for athletic and academic achievement, leadership and service, went to women’s ice hockey player Catherine Crawley and men’s track athlete Malik Snead.
Josh Bedard, from Tolland, a men’s distance runner, was honored for community outreach. Four athletes were recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association: Emily Reid (women’s ice hockey), Chris Winkel (baseball), Wyatt Newpower (men’s ice hockey) and Reese Guevarra (softball).
The Husky Cup awards, for team enhancement and community service, went to men’s track and field and softball. The team performance of the year award went to field hockey. With all sports coming to a halt in mid-March, the virtual ceremony closed the book on the athletic year and the careers of seniors.
“I came here to UConn because I wanted to play for coach [Auriemma] and the UConn women’s basketball team,” Bent said, “but it didn’t take me long to realize that what made UConn really special is the people. I was grateful I was able to represent, even in just a small way, this incredible place.”