Middle Tennessee State’s Courtney Whitson and Briggs Rutter took home the top awards at the annual Raiders’ Choice Awards, held Thursday at Tucker Theater.
The event highlighted the academic and athletic accomplishments of athletes for the 2023-24 academic year.
Whitson, a graduate women’s basketball player and Rutter, a senior baseball player, were named the female and male recipient of the True Blue President’s Award, which recognizes outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments, university/community service and leadership.
It was the third consecutive year Whitson has won the award. On top of graduating with a 3.5 GPA, Whitson was a five-year starter and helped the Lady Raiders reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament this season.
Rutter, a senior catcher from Columbia, is second on the Blue Raiders in hitting (.340) with 11 doubles, three triples, nine homers, 35 RBIs and 44 runs.
The Athlete of the Year awards went to basketball player Savannah Wheeler and cross country standout Purity Sanga (female), along with tennis player Leo Raquin (male).