Gray, Gonzalez, Mahy Earn Athlete of the Year Honors

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern athletics has announced its 2023 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, with football's Marquis Gray taking home the men's honor while women's tennis' Sara Gonzalez and softball's Cheyenne Mahy each earned the women's award.
 
Gray, a junior wide receiver from Tyler, Texas, picked up a trio of All-American honors and was named a D2Football.com Elite 100 team member.
 
Additionally, he was named a first team All-Super Region 3 honoree to go with first team All-Great American Conference recognition.
 
He has been not only the top receiver in the GAC but also among the best in the nation as he has racked up 1,463 yards receiving, setting a new Southeastern single season record, while also breaking the school record for touchdowns in a season with 17. He completed the single season record trifecta when he hauled in 10 catches in the bowl game to finish the year with 79 receptions, setting a new school mark in that as well.
 
Gonzalez, a junior from Guatemala City, Guatemala, was a first team All-GAC selection in women's tennis.
 
She posted nine wins in singles play, four of those against conference competition, and added five more wins in doubles play, three of those in conference play all while rallying her team to a Great American Conference Championship, winning the tournament as the three seed after winning seven of their last nine matches and advancing to the Central Regional.
 
Mahy, a senior from Atwater, Calif., repeats as the female Athlete of the Year after earning first team all-GAC recognition as a utility-pitcher in softball.
 
At the plate, Mahy hit .306 with 12 doubles, two triples, and team highs of six homers and 26 RBI. In the circle, she posted a 7-4 record on the season with a 2.75 ERA that included a no-hitter along with 42 strikeouts. She would help guide her team to a Great American Conference Championship, the teams first since the 2014 season, and a berth in the Central Regional.
 
Gray was chosen from a list of finalists that included Jett Sternberger from men's basketball, Luke Thrash from rodeo, Damon Burroughs from baseball, and Juan Gonzalez from men's tennis.
 
Mahy and Gonzalez were chosen from a pool of finalists that also included Caitlin Kobiske and Briley Moon from women's basketball, Bailey Witt from rodeo, and Samantha Wallis from track and field.