'We knew we could do it': stars shine at AUSPY Awards

'We knew we could do it': stars shine at AUSPY Awards

<em> Jalen Harris accepts the War Eagle Moment award at the AUSPYS on behalf of Auburn football's November to Remember. Photo: Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics</em>
Jalen Harris accepts the War Eagle Moment award at the AUSPYS on behalf of Auburn football's November to Remember. Photo: Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics
April 23, 2018

By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. - A few weeks before hearing his named called in the Major League Baseball draft, Casey Mize was summoned to the stage at Auburn Arena Monday, sharing male athlete of the year honors with Kerryon Johnson at the tenth AUSPY Awards.

"It's a high honor," said Mize. "Auburn has a ton of great athletes. To be considered the best is really awesome and I'm pretty thankful for it."

Preparing for this week's NFL Draft, Johnson, the SEC's offensive player of the year in 2017, was unable to attend.

"Kerryon, tremendous athlete," said Mize of his co-winner. "He definitely deserves it. Being able to watch him play was pretty awesome."

Volleyball's Jesse Earl was voted Auburn's female athlete of the year after earning All-America honors in 2017, setting a season record for digs.

"I'm so grateful to be picked over a lot of really great female athletes. I've got to give a lot of credit to my team," Earl said. "We had a great team, great team chemistry. We went a lot farther than we have any other season. Just really excited to see the legacy that continues here."

After going 15-1 on its home court this season, Auburn's men's basketball team earned another victory Monday, taking home Team of the Year honors after winning the SEC championship this season.

"It means a lot to us," said sophomore Anfernee McLemore. "It shows that we are acknowledged and appreciated for what we did this year, having an historic season. I'm just glad we got to showcase our talents to the campus."

The Auburn football team received the War Eagle Moment award for its November to Remember. The Tigers became the first team in history to defeat two teams ranked No. 1 in the same season.

"A lot of hard work, dedication," said junior tight end Jalen Harris. "We knew we could do it. We were on a run and we knew at that time, if we played our game, no one in the country could beat us."

Auburn's teams nominated candidates for each category. A large Auburn Athletics panel, including student-athletes, voted for the winners.

Soccer goalkeeper Sarah Le Beau earned the Inspiration Award for her shutout against No. 10 Florida. Dedicating the game to her father, who battles multiple sclerosis and was in attendance, Le Beau made seven saves against the Gators.

"I'm completely shocked that I was nominated," Le Beau said. "You have to persevere though anything. I'm glad there are people out there who feel like I'm an inspiration to others.

"That game meant the world to me because I dedicated that performance straight to him. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him, putting me through soccer. Everything I do is for him."

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer