ORLANDO, Fla. – UCF softball veteran first baseman Shannon Doherty and track and field standout Rayniah Jones have served as integral pillars in not only their respective sports with the Knights, but in the classroom, on campus and beyond, as well.
As announced by the university Tuesday, Doherty and Jones have been recognized for their all-around contributions at UCF and in the surrounding communities with Order of Pegasus honors. UCF's most prestigious student award is given annually to those who display incredible academic achievement, university involvement, leadership and community service.
Doherty represents the second UCF softball player in program history to be honored with the award, and the first since Shelly Frick in 2010.
"It means so much to me, it's something that I've been working toward and looking toward for a while now. It's truly an honor," Doherty said. "I know how prestigious this award is. It's very [few and far between], those who come by this. It means to me that I'm doing right by this university and this university has been nothing but amazing to me."
The junior has been a mainstay at first base for UCF softball throughout her collegiate career, starting 162 of the 169 games she's appeared in throughout her tenure, currently in her fourth season. She started each of the Knights' 63 games during the spring 2022 campaign, helping lead her squad to the first Super Regional berth in program history with a .308/.459/.500 line, 18 extra-base hits and 36 RBI.
Doherty also ranks among the Knights' career leaders in a handful of categories entering UCF's March 8 contest at Florida, including on-base percentage (.420, 3rd), slugging percentage (.503, 5th), home runs (22, T-6th), batting average (.316, T-8th) and RBI (101, 10th).
A psychology major with a minor in human communications, Doherty has also averaged a 3.97 GPA, has made the Dean's List or President's Honor Roll in every term at the university, is a member of the President's Leadership Council, and participates in undergraduate research with Dr. Clint Bowers in the university's psychology department.
Outside of the classroom, Doherty has also accumulated over 120 community service hours and is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well.
"I think it's just who I am as a person, and my values as a person, our core values as a program, those are things that are very important to me, and that's what this award is surrounded by," Doherty added. "I also want to thank the coaching staff for continuously pushing me to be the best version of myself and helping me grow not only as an athlete but a person daily."
Jones has established herself as top performer for the Knights track & field team as well, as the junior is set to compete in her second NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships March 10-11 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Like Doherty, Jones has also solidified herself among the school's greatest athletes with numerous records and accolades. She has won five conference events, including back-to-back 60 meter hurdles titles and has represented UCF at the NCAA Division I Championships on two occasions.
In the classroom, Jones is pursuing a major in criminal justice with a minor in journalism studies. She averages a 3.8 GPA and joins Doherty in being selected to the Dean's List or President's Honor Roll during every semester she's spent at UCF.
"I want to thank my coach, teammates, supporters and God for achieving an award of this caliber because it is an honor to be a representation of UCF's excellence," Jones said.
Jones is the fourth member of the track & field program to be honored with the award, joining Sarah Kureshi, the first athletic recipient of the Order of Pegasus, Bailey Ranson, and Cydni Turner.