HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i football head coach Greg McMackin announced the 2009 award winners at the annual awards banquet, sponsored by Na Koa, Sunday, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Four-year starting offensive lineman
John Estes, who set the NCAA record for most career games played, was the recipient of the Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player Award.
Estes, a senior from Stockton, Calif., started his 54
th consecutive game on Saturday against Wisconsin. He has not missed a start in four years and in fact, has not missed a down with the first team due to injury or other reasons.
The Ben Yee Most Inspirational Player Award went to senior linebacker
Blaze Soares. Despite not selected as on of the three team captains, Soares was a vocal leader and led the defense with 107 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 2.0 sacks.
For the first time, an outstanding player on offense, defense, and special teams was awarded. Slot receiver
Greg Salas, who ranked among the nation's leaders in receiving, was the Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Safety
Spencer Smith, who recorded 77 tackles and seven pass breakups, was the team's Most Outstanding Defensive Player, while linebacker
Corey Paredes, who starred on both defense and special teams, was the Outstanding Special Teams recipient.
The Most Improved Player went to slot receiver
Jon Medeiros, who earned a starting role midway through the season and finished with 47 receptions for 589 yards and three touchdowns. The Scholar-Athlete Award winner was safety
Mana Silva, who led the team with six interceptions.
Warrior Club honors went to defensive tackle
Rocky Savaiigaea, a four-year letterwinner, while the Scout Team Award winner was reserve offensive lineman
Brett Leonard. The Captain's Award recipients were Estes and linebacker #R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane#.
The Warriors finished the season 6-7 after Saturday night's regular season finale loss to Wisconsin. Hawai'i posted its first losing season since 2005 and had its streak of three consecutive bowl appearances snapped.
