Ann Hollas, left, was chosen as SFA's Female Steve McCarty Award winner. (SFA Athletics)

Former Tyler Lee track and field star Branson Ellis has made a smooth transition to the collegiate level.

Ellis was the Southland Conference pole vault champion and an All-American in the indoor season after placing ninth at the NCAA Championships.

The freshman was rewarded for his efforts on Wednesday night at Stephen F. Austin’s inaugural Golden Axe Awards.

Early in the night, Ellis was chosen as the Male Rookie of the year over Awet Beraki (track) and Brandon Uhse (baseball). Ellis closed the night by being named SFA’s Male Athlete of the Year over Shannon Bogues (basketball) and Alex Palmer (baseball).

Ellis and the rest of the SFA track and field team will compete at the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships Friday through Saturday in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Former Spring Hill standout Ann Hollas, who plays volleyball for SFA, was chosen as the female winner of the Steve McCarty Award over Carli Arthurs (soccer) and Paige Beeney (bowling). Among the credentials SFA listed for Hollis were “being a great ambassador for SFA by being a participant in International Medical Aid” along with being the Southland Conference Setter of the Year.

Hollis also shared volleyball team MVP award honors with teammate Danae Daron.

Other award winners on Wednesday were Daron (volleyball), Female Athlete of the Year; Kassidy Wilbur (softball), Female Rookie of the Year; Drake Murphy (track), Male Breakout Athlete of the Year; Margarita Corona (softball), Female Breakout Athlete of the Year; bowling, Team of the Year; Murphy (track), Male Steve McCarty Award; Julia Whitehead (volleyball), Spirit Award; Carli Arthurs (soccer), Female Kathy McGough Academic Athlete of the Year; Cord Neal (track), Male Kathy McGough Academic Athlete of the Year; Chris Wilkerson (football), Jene’ Carter Award; Quin Jones (football), Cally Belcher Award; and softball’s win at 25th-ranked Mississippi State, Game of the Year.

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