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DAYTON, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – Bryan College Women’s Basketball member Sarah Weinburger and Men’s Soccer player Michael Torner have been recognized as the 2021 Lion of Valor award winners.
This award is given to the top male and female athletes at Bryan College, and the recipients are chosen by the Bryan Athletics Department. Consideration is given to those student-athletes who not only excel in their respective sport, but more importantly, model the character qualities of Christ on and off the field of play; who remain steadfast and loyal to the success of the team—an encourager of others, selfless, dedicated to the task of building-up people and strengthening relationships; and who possess an unwavering commitment to “fight the good fight” of faith with the tenacity, might, and valor of the Lion of Judah.
Sarah Weinburger, a native of Jacksboro, TN is one of four members of her family to call Bryan home. Her oldest brother John Cain is a ’15 graduate and former pitcher for the Lions, Tucker Cain is a ’19 graduate from the baseball team and the 2019 Male Lion of Valor recipient, and sister Anna Cain is wrapping up her sophomore year with the volleyball team. She is also newly married, as of July 2020, to Wade Weinburger Jr. of the baseball team, who was the 2020 Male Lion of Valor recipient. Weinburger is graduating this May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a 3.9+ GPA. She has been accepted into Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, where she will be attending this fall to continue to pursue her dreams of being an optometrist.
In addition to excelling in the classroom and earning her third consecutive Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) All-Academic honor this season, Sarah has played a key role in helping her teams leave their mark in the Women’s Basketball history book at Bryan College. During her four years as a Lady Lion, she has accumulated a 103-17 overall record, an 83-5 AAC record, 64 consecutive AAC regular-season wins, 4 AAC regular-season championships, 3 AAC tournament titles, and 4 NAIA National Championship appearances. Individually for her career, Weinburger has tallied 808 points, 374 rebounds, 125 assists, and shot 40.1% from the field. She also ranks fifth on the all-time list for career three-point field goal percentage with 36.6%.
Head Coach, Jason Smith had this to say about Sarah, “If we had an image and true definition of “Lion of Valor”, it would have to be a picture of Sarah (Cain) Weinburger. Sarah has been a leading example of our program’s “We Over Me” mentality. She has never put her own interests or desires before our team or school. Any role she has been asked to do she has gone in to accomplish without hesitation. As a two-year captain, her leadership went well past the court as she has shown her faith and love of Christ in all she has done. She will be deeply missed within our Lady Lion program as well as our campus, but what she is destined to achieve in the world will far exceed all she’s already accomplished. We are proud of Sarah, we are proud of her recognition as “Lion of Valor”, and we will forever be proud to have her as a Lady Lion for life! Her contributions to our program and school will be felt for years to come.”
Michael Torner, the male recipient of the Lion of Valor, is a centerback for the Men’s Soccer team and comes to Bryan from Chattanooga, TN. Michael will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing with a 3.9+ GPA. Torner has been a vital part of the team’s success, serving as a constant leader both on and off the field. The 2020 captain has been an exemplary student in the classroom throughout his time at Bryan, garnering 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District® honors as a sophomore and being named a three-time AAC All-Academic honoree. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all 2020 fall and winter athletes were not charged with a season of NAIA eligibility. Michael will be back on the pitch for Men’s Soccer next fall as he pursues a Masters Degree in Business Administration as part of the Bryan Difference Maker Program.
The senior has been an anchor of the back defensive line as a three-year starter. During his first four years as a Lion, he has accumulated a 40-27-5 overall record, a 25-12-3 AAC record, and made appearances in 2 AAC tournament championships. Individually for his career so far, Torner has tallied one goal, four assists, and countless deflections and tackles to negate opposing offenses.
Head Coach, Jeremy Davidson had this to say about Torner, “I can’t think of a better model of what it means to be a “Lion of Valor”. I have watched Michael consistently seek to honor Christ by striving for excellence in all parts of his life, and loving his Lord, his family, and his team well. It is impossible to be around him and not see the joy that he has found in Christ. His positivity and his joyous smile are unmistakable. I know he is going to make a significant impact for Christ wherever life leads him! I could not be more proud of Michael!”
Dating back to 1960, students, faculty, and staff have been recognized for their outstanding achievements both inside and outside of the classroom. Bryan released a digitally formatted program on Wednesday to honor the students. The Bryan Athletic Department is proud of the students maintaining high academic standards and exhibiting a strong worth ethic and Christian testimony.
To view the complete list of awards and recipients, as well as the faculty and staff citations of merit, click here. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/22/2021-6AM)