JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY'S
EAGLE OWL AWARD
At the conclusion of each academic year, the Eagle Owl Award, which was established in 1994, is given to a male and a female senior athlete who possess several outstanding qualities.
To be nominated, the student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve during his or her senior season and carry a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher.
The student-athlete must excel in his or her sport, be a positive role model for others and exemplify the well-rounded student-athlete. Nominees are voted on by a selection committee, which
is comprised of administration throughout the Jacksonville State campus. Each of this year’s recipients exemplify the spirit of the award.
Anna Warkel becomes the second consecutive member of the Jax State bowling team to receive the honor, following Rebecca Hagerman last year. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native has been a key contributor to the Gamecock bowling team which has an NCAA National Championship and a US Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championship in its first two years of competition.
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During the 2024-25 season, Warkel was a Third-Team All-Conference USA Selection and a National Tenpin Coaches Association Second-Team All-American. She also earned a spot on the ITC All-Tournament Team. Off the lanes, she carries a 3.97 GPA as a sport management major and is part of the Student Athlete Advisory Council.
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Clay Webb, Football
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Clay Webb is the 14th member of the Jax State football team honored with the Eagle Owl with the most recent honoree coming in 2023 in Stevonte Tullis. During his three years as a starter on the Jax State offensive line, Webb helped clear the way for some of the best rushing attacks in all of college football, earned a pair of conference titles, and the program's first FBS bowl game victory.
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Jax State was third nationally last year in rushing yards per game at 251.2, largely in part due to Webb's dominance at guard. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 10th-best guard last season and was the ninth-best run blocker.
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The Oxford native is a two-time All-American, a two-time All-Conference USA selection, a Walter Camp Preseason All-American, and was on the Lombardi and Outland Award watch lists. He also has drawn attention from the National Football League, drawing invitations to the Hula Bowl and the Reese's Senior Bowl along with the NFL Combine to showcase his abilities in hopes of hearing his name called during this weekend's NFL Draft.Â
Past winners of the Eagle Owl Award
| Year |
Female Winner |
Sport |
Male Winner |
Sport |
| 2024-25 |
Anna Warkel |
Bowling |
Clay Webb |
Football |
| 2023-24 |
Rebecca Hagerman |
Bowling |
Erik Jansson |
Golf |
| 2022-23 |
Claire Vermette |
Golf |
Stevonte Tullis |
Football |
| 2021-22 |
Lexie Libs  |
Volleyball |
Darian Adams |
Basketball |
| 2020-21 |
Alexus Jimmerson |
Softball |
Jesus Montenegro |
Golf |
| 2019-20 |
Chloe Long |
Basketball |
Josh Brady |
Football |
| 2018-19 |
Mackenzie Rombach |
Volleyball |
Jason Burnell |
Basketball |
| 2017-18 |
Kayla Thompson |
T&F, Soccer |
Justin Lea |
Football |
| 2016-17 |
Taylor West |
Softball |
Eli Jenkins |
Football |
| 2015-16 |
Melania Bajo Geijo |
Golf |
Jermaine Hough |
Football |
| 2014-15 |
Sara Borders    |
Softball |
Max Holcombe |
Football |
| 2013-14 |
Tiffany Harbin |
Softball |
Sam Muegge |
Rifle |
| 2012-13Â |
Krystal Ruth |
Softball |
Marques Ivory |
Football |
| 2011-12 |
Lauren Harkins |
Volleyball |
Todd Hornsby |
Baseball |
| 2010-11 |
Caitlin Vorbeck |
Volleyball |
Curt Porter |
Football |
| 2009-10 |
Nikki Prier |
Softball |
Josh Cain |
Football |
| 2008-09 |
Allie Barker |
Softball |
Gavin Hallford |
Football |
| 2007-08 |
Abbey Breit |
Volleyball |
Clay Whittemore         |
Baseball |
| 2006-07 |
Daniela Pappano |
Softball |
Clay Green |
Football |
| 2005-06 |
Kisha West |
Volleyball |
James Hall |
Rifle |
| 2004-05 |
Kari Baldwin |
Rifle |
Matias Anselmo |
Golf |
| 2003-04 |
Jennifer Brenneman |
Volleyball |
C.R. Palmer |
Baseball |
| 2002-03 |
Sally Pearson |
Tennis |
Jose Campra |
Golf |
| 2001-02 |
Adriana Finelli |
Soccer |
Jeremy Sullivan |
Football |
| 2000-01 |
Lauren Buck |
Softball |
Brad Smith |
Baseball |
| 1999-00 |
Lisa Baswell |
Basketball |
Joey Hamilton |
Football |
| 1998-99 |
Lucinda Roddy |
Rifle |
|
|
| 1997-98 |
Melissa Harden |
Basketball |
|
|
| 1996-97 |
Kathy Schuneman |
Rifle |
|
|
| 1995-96 |
Tracey Wilder |
Tennis |
|
|
| 1994-95 |
Ann Shelton |
Softball |
|
|
| 1993-94 |
Jana Simmons |
BKB, VB, SB |
|
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