BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Florida Tech recently hosted the Scholars, Champions, Leaders Awards, celebrating athletic and academic successes at the Clemente Center.
The evening began by recognizing the Panthers’ five All-Americans and four Academic All-Americans, including the National Player of the Year, Sjur Drechsler, from this past season, followed by celebrating the 214 scholar-athletes who were named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
GPA Award
The first award of the evening, the Team Grade Point Average Award, recognizes the highest cumulative GPA achieved by our men’s and women’s teams, underscoring the importance of academic excellence in sports.
The Women’s Lacrosse team earned the Women’s Team GPA Award with a 3.54 cumulative GPA, and the Men’s Cross-Country team received the Men’s Team GPA Award with a 3.53 cumulative GPA.
Martha Work and Andy Seminick Sportsmanship Awards
Following the GPA Awards, the Female and Male Sportsmanship Awards were announced. The awards are named in honor of former booster and team supporter Martha Work and former head baseball coach Andy Seminick. To receive this award, the scholar-athletes must exhibit respect, courtesy, and restraint in their actions and remain positive in pursuit of excellence.
Due to her consistently highlighting the strengths and contributions of her teammates and respecting all involved in the game, Hailey Mix (Softball) was named the Martha Work Sportsmanship Award winner.
Nominated for the Martha Work Sportsmanship Award were Jennie Boyle (Women’s Lacrosse), Hailey Mix (Softball), Lydia Carroll (Women’s Soccer), Kari Voelstad Bogen (Volleyball), Arianna Petrovia (Women’s Swimming), and Remingtyn Smith (Women’s Basketball).
Shane Carson (Men’s Lacrosse) earned the Andy Seminick Sportsmanship Award for his constant support of his teammates, never-negative attitude, and leadership of the pregame prayer.
Nominated for the Andy Seminick Sportsmanship Award were Carlos Guzman (Baseball), Konstantinos Lagos (Men’s Basketball), Matthew McGuckian (Esports), Shane Carson (Men’s Lacrosse), Hayden Linkel (Men’s Rowing), Parker Christensen (Men’s Soccer), Jaxon Strank (Men’s Swimming), and Santiago Flórez-Tascón Gamero (Outdoor Track).
Freshman of the Year
The Freshman of the Year Award recognizes the female and male scholar-athletes who excelled in their first athletic season.
The Female Freshman of the Year went to Cordelia Kearns (Volleyball), who appeared in all 30 matches this season while leading the Panthers in points and kills. Kearns’ 323 kills are the most by a freshman in Panther history since 2010.
The nominees were the following, Sofie Bender (Women’s Lacrosse), Sara Batchadji (Women’s Soccer), Torie Whitbeck (Women’s Swimming), and Cordelia Kearns (Volleyball).
After recording a runner-up performance in the 200-meter fly at the NCAA Championships, earning two All-American honors, and breaking several school records, Akos Hajagos (Men’s Swimming) earned the Male Freshman of the Year.
The nominees for the men were Marshall Burke (Baseball), Alex Kruska (Men’s Basketball), Joe Coveleski (Men’s Lacrosse), Thomas Matt (Men’s Rowing), Eytor Omarsson (Men’s Soccer), and Akos Hajagos (Men’s Swimming).
Rising Star
The Rising Star Awards are presented to an emerging leader in their sport whose performance reflects growth in contribution to their team’s success and increased levels of leadership.
Lauryn Wood (Women’s Soccer) was named the Female Rising Star winner for her tremendous sophomore campaign. Wood appeared in all 23 games and earned All-SSC honors with 25 points, 11 goals, and three assists.
Nominated for the Female Rising Star Award were Emily Acampora (Women’s Basketball), Sophia Scichilone (Women’s Lacrosse), Lauryn Wood (Women’s Soccer), and Rae Ann Dressel (Women’s Swimming).
Marshall Burke (Baseball) claimed the Male Rising Star Award by making an immediate impact on the baseball team in his freshman season. Burke started every game at second base and led the team in total hits, total bases, and RBI.
Nominated for the Male Rising Star Award were Marshall Burke (Baseball), Max Polk (Men’s Basketball), Thomas Pfarr (Esports), Brooks Van Esselstyn (Men’s Lacrosse), Osvaldo Santana (Men’s Soccer), Gaspard Thierry (Men’s Swimming), and Alvaro Cameo (Track).
Sports Performance Awards
The Sports Performance Awards were given by the Sports Performance Department to the athlete whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength and conditioning.
The Female Sports Performance Award was given to Celeste Casillas (Softball) for her time in the weight room, for helping her teammates work on their form, and for pushing them to get better.
The Male Sports Performance Award went to Elias Martin (Men’s Basketball), one of the strongest athletes in the past few years, for always bringing consistent effort and becoming a leader in the weight room.
Panther Award
An individual outside of athletics who has shown continuous support and has made an impact within our programs was eligible for the Panther Award.
Bob Rowe received the Panther Award for his long-time support of both the University and Florida Tech Athletics. He is always available to meet prospective athletes and present at various games.
Nominees for the Panther Award consisted of Adam Krey (Promotions), Javan Cameron (Barista/Lead Cashier), Jessica Applewhite (Associate Director and Event Manager Office of Admissions), Allison Poling (Student Section Leader), Gordon Patterson (Professor | College of Psychology and Liberal Arts – Swim Team Faculty Representative), Jim Mitchell (Broadcaster for Men’s and Women’s Basketball), Tim Muth (Professor), and Bob Rowe (Assistant Director of Admissions).
Performance of the Year
The Performance of the Year Awards recognizes an individual athlete’s best and most significant performance in a single contest.
Marem Ndiongue (Women’s Soccer) claimed the Female Performance of the Year Award. Ndiongue scored two goals and assisted on another in a 5-4 victory over sixth-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne, sending the team to the Final Four.
Nominated female performances were Cailey Canessa’s 15-save game against No. 9 Flagler (Women’s Lacrosse), Alex Hendrian’s no-hitter against Palm Beach Atlantic (Softball), Lina Stranger-Johannessen’s 23 points on senior night (Women’s Basketball), Katherine Helminiak’s record-breaking performance at the Panther Invite (Women’s Swimming), and Marem Ndiongue’s two-goal match against Lenoir-Rhyne in the Elite Eight.
Scoring two goals, including the game-winner to send the Panthers to the Final Four, earned Fabio Amaral (Men’s Soccer) the Male Performance of the Year Award.
Amaral tied the match early, then in overtime, found the back of the net for the Elite Eight victory.
Nominated male performances were Men’s Rowing’s Varsity 4’s fourth-place finish at IRA’s, Akos Hajagos’s runner-up finish at the NCAA DII National Championships (Men’s Swimming), Jax Francisco’s career-high performance in the upset of no. 18 Saint Leo (Men’s Lacrosse), Men’s Basketball’s upset win against No. 1 Nova Southeastern, Jason Blackstone’s walk-off hit against No. 7 Saint Leo (Baseball), and Fabio Amaral’s two-goal match to send the Panthers to the Final Four.
Champions Award
The Champions Award is based on his/her athletic performance and accomplishments during the 2023-24 athletic year.
Earning her second award, Ndiongue (Women’s Soccer) claimed the Female Champions Award after leading the women’s soccer team to a Final Four appearance. She set single-season program records in points and goals, including five game-winners, and in assists. Ndiongue was also first nationally in points per game and second in goals.
For the women, Kayla Minton (Women’s Lacrosse), Marem Ndiongue (Women’s Soccer), Alex Hendrian (Softball), and Katherine Helminiak (Women’s Swimming).
After a standout season and earning National Player of the Year, Sjur Drechsler (Men’s Soccer) claimed the Male Champions Award. Drechsler started 20 games at center back while tallying four goals and two assists. He was USC First Team All-American for the second straight season.
For the men, Noah Burke (Baseball), David McCullough (Men’s Basketball), Zach Rozgonyi (Men’s Lacrosse), Arnedas Kelmelis (Men’s Rowing), Sjur Dreschler (Men’s Soccer), Akos Hajagos (Men’s Swimming).
Scholar-Athlete of the Year
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented to a scholar-athlete who has demonstrated a combination of academic and athletic excellence and years of service to the team.
Millie Hurt (Women’s Lacrosse) was named the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year with a 3.84 cumulative GPA in Biochemistry as a senior. Hurt is a three-time SSC AND Florida Tech Athletic Directors Honor Roll. On the field, she is a key part of the defense, playing every game for the Panthers since freshman year.
Nominated for the women were Tai Roberts (Women’s Basketball), Millie Hurt (Women’s Lacrosse), Ayana Aoyagi (Women’s Soccer), Katie Hogue (Softball), Debora Xavier (Women’s Swimming), and Chiara Patelli (Volleyball).
Sandro Gardella (Men’s Rowing) was named the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year with a perfect 4.0 GPA in Aerospace Engineering. Gardella earned Dean’s list every semester, along with being named to the Florida Tech Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
Nominated for the men were Jack Matousek (Baseball), Niall Harris (Men’s Basketball), David Adler (Men’s Cross Country), Jason Demarest (Esports), Austin Engeler (Men’s Lacrosse), Sandro Gardella (Men’s Rowing), Ettore Casadei (Men’s Soccer), and Connor Orth (Men’s Swimming).
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award goes to a scholar-athlete who exemplifies leadership and commitment.
The Female Leadership Award went to Daniela Tobon (women’s soccer). As team captain, she led women’s soccer to the Final Four and earned USC All-Region and CSC Academic All-District honors for her play on the field and in the classroom.
Sarah Liberatore (Women’s Basketball), Karly Liebendorfer (Women’s Lacrosse), Daniela Tobon (Women’s Soccer), Kelly McLaughlin (Softball), Leah Fonnotto (Women’s Swimming), and Ashley Rants (Volleyball) were nominated for the female award.
The Male Leadership Award went to Elias Martin (Men’s Basketball), who set an example for his teammates both on and off the court. His excellence as an Ocean Engineering major carried over to the court, as he earned All-SSC Defensive Honors after leading the conference in blocks.
Tate Hansen (Baseball), Elias Martin (Men’s Basketball), The Men’s Cross Country Team, Ryley Griffin (Esports), Ricky Fedorchak (Men’s Lacrosse), Domantas Marocka (Men’s Rowing), Loleyi Oluwatomisin (Men’s Track), Mikkel Kvinnesland (Men’s Soccer), and Matthew Heaphy (Men’s Swimming) were nominated for the male award.
Team of the Year
The final award of the evening was the Team of the Year Award, which is presented to the team that has achieved the most notable performance during the 2023-24 year.
Men’s and Women’s Soccer claimed Co-Team of the Year after both teams reached the NCAA Final Four, marking the first time since 2007 that two programs from the same institution advanced that far.
The Student, Champions, Leaders Awards wrapped up the event by celebrating the seniors and presenting symbolic letterman jackets to President Dr. Nicklow and Dr. Stacy.
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