The ESPY’s winners were announced on July 12, with Ohio State‘s Miles Johnson and Stanford‘s Inky Ajanaku in attendance to accept the Capital One Cup on behalf of their school’s program.
The Capital One Cup is awarded to both a men’s and a women’s group of athletes that demonstrate consistent success over a variety of sports. Johnson accepted the award for the Ohio State men’s athletic program, while Ajanaku accepts on behalf of Stanford‘s women’s athletic program. Both programs will receive $200,000 in student-athlete scholarships.
The award is earned through a basis of points, with different values being assigned to either ranking withing the top 10 of a certified pool or placing in the championships of any given sport. Overall, the Ohio State men’s athletic program received 111 points, edging out two-time Cup champion Florida who came in a close second with 105 points.
Eddie George, a former Ohio State running back and the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner presented the award to Johnson.
Men’s point break down – Lacrosse (36), Volleyball (20), Football (15), Gymnastics (12), Wrestling (12), Tennis (8), Fencing (6) and Rifle (2). Both fencing and rifle are mixed gender, therefore their scores are cut in half to reflect only the men’s scores.
Johnson was a member of the two-time men’s volleyball NCAA national championship team with Ohio State that won in 2016 and 2017. In the 2017 season, Johnson put down 433 kills for the Buckeyes for an average of 3.83 kills per set on a .329 hitting percentage. Additionally, Johnson served up 50 aces, picked up 136 digs and 80 blocks on the year.
Miles Johnson at the ESPYs hanging out with the Capital One Cup trophy, OSU great Eddie George & two Stanford student-athletes. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/YfqFLzjqNw
— OSU Men's Volleyball (@OhioState_MVB) July 12, 2017
Ajanku was up for the Best Female College Athlete ESPY but was not selected, as Florida’s softball player, Kelly Barnhill, garnished the honor. Ajanku did, however, accept the Cup from former Stanford basketball player Nnemkadi Ogwumike.
Stanford has now won four of the seven Capital One Cup. In the 2016-17 season, Stanford won five national titles along with three women’s championships in volleyball, swimming and diving and water polo. Additionally, the men’s soccer team collected a national title along with the Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championship in women’s lightweight rowing.
Overall, the women’s athletic program garnished 175.5 points towards their winning total, with USC coming in second with a score of 129 points.
In the 2017 season, Ajanaku helped lead the Cardinals to a national title. She posted 360 kills on a .407 hitting percentage in her final season.
Also in attendance of the ESPY’s was beach superstar, Kerri Walsh Jennings, who attended Stanford as an indoor volleyball player.
Here with my @GoStanford women! Tonight they'll be honored at the @ESPYS for winning their 4th @CapitalOne Cup. #ad pic.twitter.com/1AjABBnMzQ
— Nnemkadi Ogwumike (@Nnemkadi30) July 13, 2017
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