Cook Earns 115th Annual Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational Award

The University of Washington football team plays Stanford on September 24, 2022. (Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)

Photo by: Red Box Pictures

Cook Earns 115th Annual Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational Award

December 04, 2022 | Football

SEATTLE – Senior safety Alex Cook won the 115th annual Guy Flaherty Award, the Washington football program's oldest and most prestigious team honor Sunday at the teams' annual postseason awards banquet, held at Husky Stadium.

The Flaherty Award, given to the UW's most inspirational player and voted on by the players was first awarded in 1908. Cook, from Sacramento, Calif., also picked up three other awards: the Defensive Skill Player of the Year, the Starving Dawg Award (for his work in the weight room) and the Chuck Niemi Big Hit Award.

Also Sunday, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (Tampa, Fla.), edge Bralen Trice (Phoenix, Ariz.), and place kicker Peyton Henry (Danville, Calif.) were named the team's most valuable offense, defensive and special teams players, respectively.

Wide receiver Rome Odunze (Las Vegas, Nev.) was presented with the Offensive Skill Player of the Year award

The 101 Club Academic Excellence Award was given to Dylan Morris (Puyallup, Wash.), while offensive lineman Henry Bainivalu (Sammamish, Wash.) was presented with the Academic Achievement Award.

The winner of the Earle T. Glant Tough Husky Award was center Corey Luciano (Danville, Calif.), while linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (Anchorage, Alaska) took home the Tyee Sports Council Community Service Award.

The John P. Angel Offensive Power Player of the Year award was presented to left tackle Troy Fautanu (Henderson, Nev.) while defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa (Concord, Calif.) won the L. Wait Rising Defensive Power Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

Offensive guard Jaxson Kirkland (Portland, Ore.) was honored with the Don James Perseverance Award, while running back Wayne Taulapapa (Honolulu, Hawai'i) and edge Jeremiah Martin (San Bernardino, Calif.) each won the Husky Excellence Award.

Taulapapa was also honored with the Newcomer of the Year Award.

The Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman Award was given to cornerback Jaivion Green (Houston, Texas). Edge Gage Harty (Spokane Valley, Wash.) was honored as the Husky Fever 12th Man of the Year, voted on by his teammates.

For his work in the weight room, freshmen Samuel Peacock (Gig Harbor, Wash.) won the Iron Dawg Award.

The Bob Jarvis Offensive Scout Squad Player of the Year Parker Brailsford (Mesa, Ariz.); the Mark Drennan Defensive Scout Squad Player of the Year was given to edge Lance Holtzclaw (Dorcester, Mass.); and the Brian Stapp Special Forces Scout Squad Player of the Year Award was presented to wide receiver Mason Wheeler (Vancovuer, Wash.).

The Apple Cup Play of the Game Award was presented to Penix and Jalen McMillan (Fresno, Calif.), for the 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the third quarter of the Huskies' win in Pullman.

The Kurt Gegner Memorial Award, given to student staff members, went to Matt Cooper (equipment), Jessica Swanson (video), Kristina Cisneros (training room), and Niko Carste (creative)

Here is a complete recap of all of Washington's team award winners for 2022:

2022 Washington Football Awards

Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational
Alex Cook

Offensive Most Valuable Player
Michael Penix Jr.

Defensive Most Valuable Player
Bralen Trice

Special Teams Most Valuable Player
Peyton Henry

101 Club Academic Award
Dylan Morris

Academic Achievement Award
Henry Bainivalu

Husky Excellence Award
Wayne Taulapapa & Jeremiah Martin

Tyee Sports Council Community Service Award
Edefuan Ulofoshio

Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshmen
Jaivion Green

Newcomer of the Year Award
Wayne Taulapapa

Don James Perseverance Award
Jaxson Kirkland

Earle T. Glant Tough Husky
Corey Luciano

Husky Fever 12th Man Award
Gage Harty

Starving Dawg Award (from Strength & Conditioning staff)
Alex Cook

Iron Dawg Award (from Strength & Conditioning staff)
Samuel Peacock

John P. Angel Offensive Power Player of the Year
Troy Fautanu

L. Wait Rising Defensive Power Player of the Year
Tuli Letuligasenoa

Offensive Skill Player of the Year Award
Rome Odunze

Defensive Skill Player of the Year Award
Alex Cook

Bob Jarvis Offensive Scout Squad MVP
Parker Brailsford

Brian Stapp Special Forces Scout Squad MVP
Mason Wheeler

Mark Drennan Defensive Scout Squad MVP
Lance Holtzclaw

Apple Cup Play of the Game Award
Michael Penix Jr. & Jalen McMillan

Chuck Niemi Big Hit Award
Alex Cook

Kurt Gegner Memorial Award
Matt Cooper (equipment), Jessica Swanson (video), Kristina Cisneros (training room), Niko Carste (creative)