FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Methodist men's lacrosse player Jake Smerka was named the University's Mason Sykes Cup winner for the 2016-17 season on Wednesday.
 
The award, named for former MU soccer coach Mason Sykes, has been given annually to the University's top student-athlete since 1986. Chosen in a vote of the department's coaches, the winner must display outstanding athletic achievement and possess a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
 
This caps a remarkable season for the recently graduated Smerka, who was also named the Southeast Independent Lacrosse Conference's (SEILC) Offensive Player of the Year, and took home the Methodist Senior Male Athlete of the Year award.
 
"Jake Smerka was a great leader on and off the field," said Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Zach Nedbalski. "Jake had a tremendous year for the lacrosse program and I believe that he was more excited to see his teammates make plays than making plays himself. I'm very proud of all his accomplishments during his time at MU."
 
In 18 games, Smerka posted a team-high 47 goals to go with 22 assists for 69 total points. He had four game-winning goals, including the overtime winner in a 13-12 win over eventual NCAA Tournament qualifier Misericordia. Smerka finished the season ranked sixth in NCAA Division III with 12 man-up goals and also contributed 44 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers for a Monarch team that won a school-record 15 games (15-3) en route to their first-ever SEILC Championship.
 
Smerka graduated as the program's all-time leader in goals (139), assists (59) and points (198), and was a three-time all-conference performer. With the Sykes Cup win, Smerka added to an impressive haul for the men's lacrosse team as Nedbalski was also named the conference's Coach of the Year in addition to his McLean Foundation Coach of the Year award.
 
The award will be formally presented at the University's fall convocation.
 
 
 
All-Time Mason Sykes Cup Winners
1986 - Doug Garner, baseball
1987 - Karen Grant, women's track and field
1988 - Jansen Evans, baseball
1989 - Mike Brewington, baseball
1990 - John McCullough, men's golf
1991 - Anne Thorpe, women's soccer & Jay Kirkpatrick, baseball
1992 - Mike Rohr, baseball
1993 - Ryan Jenkins, men's golf
1994 - Anne Uleman, women's basketball, softball
1995 - Kelly Cap, women's golf
1996 - Mike Adamson, men's golf
1997 - Jason Childers, men's basketball
1998 - Tracey Gage, women's golf
1999 - Tracey Gage, women's golf
2000 - Heather Hugus, softball
2001 - Elena Blanina, women's tennis
2002 - Elena Blanina, women's tennis
2003 - Michelle Meadows, women's golf
2004 - Adam Horton, men's golf
2005 - Charlotte Williams, women's golf
2006 - Charlotte Williams, women's golf
2007 - Katie Dick, women's golf
2008 - Susan Martin, women's golf
2009 - Susan Martin, women's golf
2010 - Susan Martin, women's golf
2011 - Paige Caldwell, women's golf
2012 - Ashlynn Chavis, women's track and field
2013 - Mike Wesko, men's golf
2014 - Max Reber, football
2015 - Max Reber, football
2016 - Eirik Nordseth, men's soccer
2017 - Jake Smerka, men's lacrosse