SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco State Department of Athletics conducted its annual Northwestern Mutual SF State Student-Athletes Awards Banquet on Friday evening.  The Gators presented departmental awards during the festivities, which also included the year in photos from the 2016-17 season.

Game Day Coordinator Jamil Sheared served as master of ceremonies of this year's awards banquet. President Les Wong addressed the student-athletes, followed by Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie. He honored Rich Calcaterra as SF State Athletics' Donor of the Year. Frank Fasano, Vicky Lee, and Venesia Thompson were thanked for their support of SF State Athletics with the Campus Collaboration Award. Vice President Robert J. Nava was presented with a plaque in honor of his transformational leadership and dedication to SF State Athletics.

In addition to the individual student-athletes honored, men's basketball and women's track and field were named the men's and women's teams of the year for their strong seasons. The baseball team earned the Gator Cup, awarded to the team displaying the most school spirit and supporting fellow student-athletes. Additionally, he outgoing student-athlete advisory committee was recognized for its service and the 2017-18 SAAC Board was introduced. President Wong, Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Trevor Getz, and Associate Director of Athletics Apryl Guisasola presented the graduating student-athletes with their student-athlete sashes to be worn at commencement, which will be held on Thursday, May 25 at AT&T Park.

Freshmen of the Year
Track and field's Timarya Baynard was named female freshman of the year. Most recently, she was named CCAA Track and Field Athlete of the Week and was an All-American in two events during the indoor season. This year's male freshman of the year was Richard Leon, who also snagged the CCAA Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year honors. Leon netted seven goals and tallied 15 points.

Newcomers of the Year
Track and field's Christine Moreno was this year's female newcomer of the year. Moreno was a First Team All-American as part of the 4x400m relay team during the indoor season. Wrestler Matt Gamble was the male newcomer of the year.  He was named to the RMAC Second Team at 125 lb. and went 19-10, including a 13-bout win streak.

Athletes of the Year
Track and field senior Atiya Harvey was named SF State's female student-athlete of the year. Harvey helped the nationally-ranked Gators to a sixth-place finish in the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships in the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:44.58, the second fastest time in program history. She was also named USTFCCCA First Team All-American for being a member of the 4x400 relay, earned USTFCCCA All-Region Honors for being in the top-five in the West in both the 60m dash and the 200m dash. At the prestigious Mt. Sac Relays, she took 17th overall in the 100m dash with a time of 11.83 seconds and was the top Division II finisher in the event. She was named the CCAA Athlete of the Week on Mar. 23.

Warren Jackson was named SF State's male student-athlete of the year. The junior guard led men's basketball to the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament and to the program's best season in the modern era. Jackson was named Division II Bulletin All-American Honorable Mention, NABC Coaches' Division II All-District West Region First Team, CCA Men's Basketball All-West Region Second Team, All-CCAA First Team, and was twice named CCAA Player of the Week.

CCAA Hal Charnofsky Memorial Award
The CCAA Hal Charnofsky Memorial Award recognizes CCAA student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in the classroom and their sport.

Cross country runner and track and field athlete Adriana Calva is this year's female honoree. The junior earned All-Region honors at the NCAA Divisioni II Cross Country Regionals with a 14th place finish. At the SF State Distance Carnival she smashed her own record in the 3000m steeplechase, finishing with a time of 10:39.06.

This year's male CCAA Hal Charnofsky Award honoree was senior men's basketball player Coley Apsay. A CCAA All-Conference First Team member, Apsay averaged 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.4 steals per game in all 28 games for the Gators.

Arete Award
The Arete Award is given to a student-athlete who has earned a 3.0 or higher grade point average at SF State, completed an average of 12 units per semester, performed community service and also had an outstanding career in his or her respective sport. This year's Arete Award winner was an All-CCAA selection, women's soccer player Laura Shea.