Pervolarakis Acceptance Video

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The 2018 West Coast Conference Sportsmanship Award recipients were announced as part of the ninth annual West Coast Conference Honors Dinner, held Wednesday night at the Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose, Calif. Portland men's tennis student-athlete Michail Pervolarakis was named the Male Sportsmanship winner, while San Diego cross country student-athlete Shea Ricketts was named the Female Sportsmanship winner.

MICHAIL PERVOLARAKIS, UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND, MEN'S TENNIS 
Pervolarakis was recognized for showing great respect towards his opponents and tennis officials. The culmination of the integrity and fairness displayed by Pervolarakis came when the senior incurred a self-imposed penalty in a match against Santa Clara at the West Coast Conference Tennis Championships.

"I feel that in every sport it's important to have sportsmanship," Pervolarakis said. "It is difficult sometimes, especially when you want to win, but being respectful towards your opponent is something special. The most enjoyable matches I've had were opponents that we had a common respect with each other." 

The Sportsmanship Award is one of many honors that the senior from Limassol, Cyprus has racked up throughout his tenure on The Bluff. He graduates as the most decorated tennis player in school history, having won back-to-back WCC Player of the Year honors and qualifying this year for the NCAA Singles Championships. Pervolarakis is graduating this summer and then will begin his professional tennis career.

SHEA RICKETTS, UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO, WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY 
Ricketts is recognized by her peers for demonstrating a positive attitude even when faced with adversity after a car accident left her unable to compete for the 2017 cross country season. Ricketts has been described as exemplifying perseverance by never giving up and always caring for her teammates despite her injuries, spending time to motivate each of her teammates as well as those on the men's cross country team with personalized messages of inspiration prior to their races.

"When we think about athletics, we can think about winning and victories, but what really makes the athletics community so amazing is the sportsmanship that one executes during the competition," Ricketts said. "You may not remember every point you make or the time you run in a race, but you will remember how your teammates treat you and how you're treated at the starting line. Exhibiting respect, compassion, kindness and showing good sportsmanship is really critical for the athletic community."