News Summary
Newberry College honors five track and field student-athletes named to the Academic All-District® Team, while mourning the loss of incoming football player Mycheal Edwards-Wallace. The college recognizes the dual nature of community triumphs and tragedies, focusing on academic excellence and heartfelt condolences. Additionally, Sylvester Armendariz has been promoted to Assistant Sports Performance Coach, enhancing the commitment to player development.
Newberry, South Carolina – Newberry College recently celebrated the academic achievements of its student-athletes, recognizing five track and field members who were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Track and Cross Country Team. The honorees include Irma Watson-Perez, Andrea Pascual Rivera, ShaNadia Marshall, Drew Benson, and Addison O’Cain.
To be selected for this prestigious academic recognition, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale and rank among the top 50 in their regional rankings for a single event. Irma Watson-Perez, Andrea Pascual Rivera, and ShaNadia Marshall recently graduated in May with degrees in Biology, Psychology, and Exercise Science & Human Performance, respectively. Drew Benson and Addison O’Cain are currently undergraduates majoring in Nursing and Exercise Science, respectively.
In a contrasting note, the Newberry College community is mourning the tragic loss of incoming football student-athlete Mycheal Edwards-Wallace, who was fatally shot in his hometown of Kingstree, South Carolina, on Sunday night. Edwards-Wallace was a talented player recognized for his skills both offensively and defensively during his time at Kingstree High School. He was an all-state selection by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association and received accolades such as all-area and all-region honors in his senior year. His impressive career included participation in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, a prestigious all-star game featuring top high school football players from both North and South Carolina. He was also honored as Kingstree High School’s Male Athlete of the Year.
The head football coach at Newberry College acknowledged the talent and bright future that Edwards-Wallace had ahead of him, expressing profound condolences on behalf of the college to the family, friends, and teammates of the late athlete.
In other athletic news, Sylvester Armendariz has been promoted from graduate assistant to Assistant Sports Performance Coach at Newberry College, a decision made by the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance, David Scorzelli. Armendariz has been an integral part of the Newberry Sports Performance Program for several years. His role has included the design and implementation of strength and conditioning sessions for the football team while working closely with Scorzelli to enhance player development and reduce injury risks.
Armendariz’s responsibilities extend to independently running football lifting sessions and developing training programs for various sports, including Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, Track and Field, and Men’s and Women’s Tennis. Prior to his time at Newberry College, Armendariz gained experience as a Football Strength and Conditioning Intern at the University of Southern California and began his career as a Football Strength and Conditioning Intern at St. John Bosco High School. He holds an undergraduate degree from California State Los Angeles and a master’s degree from Newberry College.
Overall, Newberry College is demonstrating its commitment to academic excellence while navigating the sorrows of loss, showing resilience and support for its community. The college’s dedication to its student-athletes is evident not only in academic achievements but also in the heartfelt condolences extended to those affected by tragedy.
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Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Five Newberry College Track & Field Athletes Earn Honors
- Wikipedia: Newberry College
- Newberry Observer: Newberry College Mourns Loss of Incoming Athlete
- Google Search: Newberry College Student Athlete Loss
- Newberry Observer: Armendariz Promoted to Assistant Sports Performance Coach
- Google Scholar: Coaching in Sports
- Newberry Observer: Track & Field Finishes Season at Last Chance Meet
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Track and Field
- Newberry Observer: Student-Athletes Celebrated at 2025 Wolfies Award Ceremony
- Google News: Newberry College Wolfies Award
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