SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco State Department of Athletics conducted its annual Student-Athletes Awards Banquet on Tuesday evening. The Gators presented team and departmental awards over the course of the two-hour event.

Jamil Sheared served as master of ceremonies of this year's awards banquet. Director of Athletics Stephanie Shrieve-Hawkins addressed the student-athletes, followed by Mrs. Phyllis Wong. Shrieve-Hawkins then turned the stage over to comedian Will Durst, who honored alumnus Ronnie Schell. From 1998 to 2010, Schell demonstrated his loyalty to his alma mater and his love of baseball by single-handedly organizing a series of Comedy Nights to benefit the Athletic Scholarship Program at San Francisco State. Schell's service to the University and his great commitment to San Francisco State Athletics is being recognized by the installation of a plaque in his honor that will be on permanent display in the Gym.

Forty-two different student-athletes were recognized for earning all-conference honors, and track and field's Atiya Harvey and Destiny Mack-Talalemotu were honored for their All-American performances during the indoor season. In addition to the three team awards presented per team and individual student-athletes honored, men's soccer and baseball were named men's co-team of the year for their record-breaking seasons and women's track and field repeated as the women's team of the year, having earned the team's first-ever CCAA Championship. The softball team earned the Gator Cup, awarded to the team displaying the most school spirit and supporting fellow student-athletes. Graduating student-athletes were presented with their student-athlete sashes to be worn at commencement, which will take place on Thursday, May 24 at AT&T Park.

Freshmen of the Year
Women's soccer player Tami Kwong was this year's female freshman of the year. The All-CCAA Honorable Mention appeared in all 18 matches with nine starts. The Pleasanton, California native was second on the team with five goals and added an assist for 11 points in her rookie campaign. Kwong also netted three game-winning goals.

Redshirt freshman Mason Boutain was this season's male freshman of the year. An All-RMAC First Team selection after winning the RMAC Championship at 157 pounds, Boutain was also named to the RMAC Wrestling Honor Roll thanks to his 3.42 GPA.

Newcomers of the Year
The San Francisco State Female Newcomer of the Year, Michelle Castro became the first San Francisco State softball player to be tabbed the CCAA Newcomer of the Year. The utility player hit .317 this season while leading the team in doubles (17) and stolen bases (45), both of which are program records. She led the CCAA in stolen bases and ranked second in doubles, and her 41 runs scored are tied-for-fourth-best in the conference.

On the men's side, baseball player Brady Dorn was named newcomer of the year. The middle infielder was named to the All-CCAA First Team. He was fourth in the CCAA with a team-high .370 batting average, led his team with 23 walks, and tallied 68 hits and 33 RBIs. The Redondo Beach, California native also led San Francisco State to the program's first-ever CCAA Championships appearance.

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.

This year's female honoree was Jhaina Stephens. One of three players in the CCAA to average a double-double, she posted averages of 15.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. Stephens notched 12 double-doubles while appearing in 24 games this season. She thrives as a psychology major in the classroom, posting a 3.44 GPA in her first year at San Francisco State, and was a member of the CCAA Winter All-Academic Team.

This year's male honoree is Jackson Kritsch. An All-CCAA Second Team selection and Google Cloud Academic All-District First Teamer, and the CCAA Championship Scholar Award Winner, this sophomore has an impressive 3.96 cumulative GPA. Kritsch hit .362, second best on the team, and led the team with 75 hits, 41 RBIs, 45 runs, and 10 stolen bases. His 49 appearances and 48 starts were also second most on the team.

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/her respective sport. This year's Arete Award winner was Christine Johnson, a four-year volleyball standout. She accumulated 789 points, 641 kills, and appeared in all but two matches over the last three seasons. The finance major has an exemplary 3.95 GPA, and is a four-time CCAA All-Academic team and Athletic Director's Honor Roll honoree, as well as a proud member of the Dean's List.

Athletes of the Year
Senior soccer player Ranier Plantinos was named the 2017-18 San Francisco State male student-athlete of the year. After leading the Gators to their first playoff appearance since 1978, Plantinos was named to the D2CCA Men's Soccer All-West Region Second Team and All-CCAA First Team. He netted a team-high 12 goals, which are second most in a single season in program history. The San Mateo, California native appeared in all 19 of the Gators' matches, starting 18, and logged 1483 minutes. The forward scored a hat trick on Sept. 8 and his dozen goals were second in the CCAA and 26th across all of NCAA Division II this season. His .63 goals per game and 1.42 points per game were second most among CCAA players, while his 27 total points and four game-winners were third-most among CCAA players.

Destiny Mack-Talalemotu was named the 2017-18 San Francisco State female student-athlete of the year. Mack-Talalemotu made an instant impact for San Francisco State, taking home two All-American awards to start her Gator career. She has been named the CCAA Field Athlete of the Week three times, and won the High Point Award, as well as the Field Athlete of the Meet award as the Gators captured the CCAA Championships earlier this month. This season she currently has three top-15 marks in the nation, and is poised to make a big statement at this year's NCAA National Championships.