Panthers' Choice Awards - Pitt Panthers #H2P

Panthers Choice Award Podium

Established in 2018, the Panthers' Choice Awards celebrate student-athlete achievements in academics, athletics and citizenship. Winners from previous years are listed below.

TOP OVERALL ACADEMIC TEAM OF THE YEAR

Reserved for the team with the highest cumulative GPA for the spring and fall semesters.

2024-25—Men’s Soccer; Women’s Cross Country
2023-24—Men’s Soccer; Women’s Cross Country
2022-23—Men’s Soccer; Volleyball
2021-22—Men’s Cross Country; Women’s Soccer
2020-21—Men’s Cross Country; Volleyball
2019-20—Men’s Soccer; Volleyball
2018-19—Men’s Soccer; Women’s Cross Country
2017-18—Women’s Gymnastics

HEART OF A PANTHER AWARD

Presented to the student-athlete who best embodies the spirit of service through the Pitt Promise and is involved in the community above and beyond what is required.

2024-25—Gracie Kahoun (Lacrosse)
2023-24—Ellie Coffield (Women’s Soccer)
2022-23—Deslin Alexandre (Football); Ellie Coffield (Women’s Soccer)
2021-22—Jenna Baltes (Women’s Cross Country, Track & Field)
2020-21—Olivia Miller (Gymnastics)
2019-20—Tre Tipton (Football)
2018-19—Cheyenne Hudson (Women’s Soccer)
2017-18—Olivia Gray (Softball)

PANTHERS UNITE AWARD

Presented to the team whose passion and dedication to Pitt Athletics is found in support of other Pitt teams through participation in the Panthers Unite initiative.

2018-19—Women’s Swimming & Diving
2017-18—Women’s Soccer

GOLD STANDARD TEAMMATES OF THE YEAR

Presented to the student-athlete who most effectively inspires his or her team through exemplary commitment, composure and integrity.

2024-25—Jayden Melendez (Baseball); Papa Amadou Kante (Men's Basketball); Brandon George (Football); Jah'Liyah Bedminster (Gymnastics); Khadija Faye (Women's Basketball); Jill French (Lacrosse); Jackson Gilman (Men's Soccer); Olivia Lee (Women's Soccer); Quintin Gatons (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country); Sydney Nowicki (Women's Track and Field/Cross Country); Eric Camden (Men's Swimming and Diving); Jess Vega (Women's Swimming and Diving); Emmy Klika (Volleyball); Mac Stout (Wrestling); Tieley Vaughn (Softball); Angelina Brown (Cheer); Emma Racunas (Dance)
2023-24—Dom Popa (Baseball); Papa Kante (Men’s Basketball); Nate Yarnell (Football); Ciara Ward (Gymnastics); Aislin Malcolm (Women’s Basketball); Abby Thorne (Women’s Lacrosse); Jackson Gilman (Men’s Soccer); Ellie Coffield (Women’s Soccer); Sam Otis (Men’s Track & Field / Cross Country); Ellen Baker (Women’s Track & Field / Cross Country); Krzysztof Radziszewski (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Sophie Yendell (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Valeria Vazquez Gomez (Volleyball); Luca Augustine (Wrestling); Kat Rodriguez (Softball); Julia Palus (Cheer); Kaylea Gallagher (Dance)
2022-23—Nash Bryan (Baseball); Hayden Bash (Cheer); Anna DiPasquale (Dance); Jake Kradel (Football); Ciara Ward (Gymnastics); Abby Thorne (Women’s Lacrosse); Aidan Fisch (Men’s Basketball); Luke Henseler (Men’s Track & Field / Cross Country); Jackson Gilman (Men’s Soccer); Jackson Salisbury (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Sarah Seamans (Softball); Valeria Vazquez Gomez (Volleyball); Dayshanette Harris (Women’s Basketball); Lydia Bottelier (Women’s Track & Field / Cross Country); Chloe Minas (Women’s Soccer); Jess Vega (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Nino Bonaccorsi (Wrestling)
2021-22—Jack Anderson (Baseball); Aidan Fisch (Men’s Basketball); Liatu King / Amber Brown (Women’s Basketball); Tyler Rollins (Men’s Cross Country); Mary Borkoski (Women’s Cross Country); Gavin Bartholomew (Football); Olivia Miller (Gymnastics); Karina Latsko (Women’s Lacrosse); Jackson Walti (Men’s Soccer); Chloe Minas (Women’s Soccer); Sarah Seamans (Softball); Stephen Hopta (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Janelle Schulz (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Felix Wolter (Men’s Track & Field); Breanna Phillips (Women’s Track & Field); Kayla Lund (Volleyball); Cole Matthews (Wrestling); Allison Curtis / Katy Burke (Cheer); Arlin Vieira (Dance)
2020-21—Nico Samarkos (Baseball); Nike Sibande (Men’s Basketball); Gabbie Green (Women’s Basketball); Josh Higgins (Men’s Cross Country); Ally Brunton (Women’s Cross Country); David Green (Football); Katrina Coca (Gymnastics); Therese Pittman (Women’s Lacrosse); Valentin Noel (Men’s Soccer); Celia Lopez (Women’s Soccer); Morgan Batesole (Softball); Judd Fishman (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Kathleen Lynch (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Ade Jones-Roundtree (Men’s Track & Field); Abena Atuobi (Women’s Track & Field); Kylee Levers (Volleyball); Jake Wentzel (Wrestling); Matthew Nolan (Cheer); Teegan Zeh (Dance)
2019-20—Chris Gomez (Baseball); Abdoul Karim Coulibaly (Men’s Basketball); Josh Parquet (Men’s Diving); Cal Adomitis (Football); Alex Peperak (Men’s Soccer); Walker Brooks (Men’s Swimming); Nick Wolk (Men’s Track & Field / Cross Country); Nino Bonaccorsi (Wrestling); Aysia Bugg (Women’s Basketball); Cortnee Williams (Women’s Diving); Alecia Petrikis (Women’s Gymnastics); Brittany Knight (Softball); Hollie Olding (Women’s Soccer); Barb Schmele (Women’s Swimming); Traylor Middleton (Women’s Track & Field); Mary Borkoski (Women’s Cross Country); Kayla Lund (Volleyball); Kathleen Weiser (Cheer); Samantha Schall (Dance)
2018-19—Aysia Bugg (Women’s Basketball); Jared Wilson-Frame (Men’s Basketball); Grant Jones (Men’s Track & Field); Nate Sloan (Men’s Cross Country); Sam Shields (Women’s Cross Country); Rachel Brown (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Brian Lovasik (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Cheyenne Hudson (Women’s Soccer); Craig Bair (Men’s Soccer); Nico Popa (Baseball); Marissa DeMatteo (Softball); Mike Herndon (Football); Claudia Bartolome (Tennis); Miranda Salvo (Women’s Track & Field); Demetrius Thomas (Wrestling); Emily Horner (Volleyball); Alecia Petrikis (Gymnastics); Colton Byerly (Cheer); Dina Perlic (Dance)
2017-18—Matt Bischoff (Men’s Soccer); Dennis Briggs (Football); Khameron Davis (Men’s Basketball); Callie Frey (Women’s Tennis); Sydney Fry (Cheer); Desiree Garland (Women’s Track & Field); Ryan Hughes (Men’s Cross Country); Samuel Jenkins (Men’s Diving); Krista Jones (Women’s Diving); Boris Kulizhnikov (Men’s Swimming); Kayla Lund (Women’s Volleyball); Jabari Michael-Khensu (Men’s Track & Field); Mikaela Mondschein (Dance); Taylor Myers (Softball); Matt Pidisch (Baseball); Lina Rathsack (Women’s Swimming); Miranda Salvo (Women’s Cross Country); Bel Van Noorden (Women’s Soccer); Brittany West (Gymnastics); Jasmine Whitney (Women’s Basketball); Nick Zanetta (Wrestling)

BRIDGE BUILDER AWARD

Presented to the team whose student-athletes demonstrate the strongest commitment to making an impact in the community.

2024-25—Women's Lacrosse
2023-24—Spirit Squad
2022-23—Men’s and Women’s Track & Field
2021-22—Women’s Lacrosse
2020-21—Gymnastics and Women’s Lacrosse
2019-20—Football
2018-19—Women’s Gymnastics
2017-18—Women’s Gymnastics

JAMES CONNER COMEBACK OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented to the student-athlete who, having recovered from an injury, illness, or hardship, returns to make a noteworthy contribution to their teams’ athletic success.

2024-25—Rashad Battle (Football)
2023-24—Chiamaka Nwokolo (Volleyball)
2022-23—Nike Sibande (Men’s Basketball)
2021-22—Cole Matthews (Wrestling)
2020-21—Rashad Weaver (Football)
2019-20—Jake Wentzel (Wrestling)
2018-19—George Aston (Football)
2017-18—Jaryd Jones-Smith (Football)

GOLD STANDARD ADMINISTRATORS OF THE YEAR

Presented to a non-coaching staff member of the athletic department who has gone above and beyond to ensure success of student-athletes, from either an athletic, academic, or personal development perspective.

2024-25—Gunnar Geyer (Baseball); Mike Farabaugh (Men's Basketball); E.J. Borghetti (Football); Shawn Mueller (Gymnastics); Kiera Molloy (Women's Basketball); Riley Newell (Lacrosse); Joe Wellwood (Men's Soccer); Mandy Matson (Women's Soccer); Colby Wilson (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country); Darryl Weston (Women's Track and Field/Cross Country); Casey McAlpine (Men's Swimming and Diving); Dom Gallo (Women's Swimming and Diving); Christina "Tilly" Sheets (Volleyball); Chris Byland (Wrestling); Devin Young (Softball); Katie Stumpp (Cheer); Katie Stumpp (Dance)
2023-24—Gunnar Geyer (Baseball); Mike Farabaugh (Men’s Basketball); Chris LaSala (Football); Shawn Mueller (Gymnastics); Jennifer Tuscano (Women’s Basketball); Aaron Duvall (Women’s Lacrosse); Tilly Sheets (Men’s Soccer); Brenna MacDonald (Women’s Soccer); Indira Bricker (Men’s Track & Field / Cross Country); Darryl Weston (Women’s Track & Field / Cross Country); Chris Byland (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Mikaela Laughlin (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Deirdre Chatlos (Volleyball); Brian Bonnar (Wrestling); Jen Verbiar (Softball); Katie Stumpp (Cheer); Katie Stumpp (Dance)
2022-23—Austin Thompson (Baseball); Katie Stumpp (Cheer); Katie Stumpp (Dance); Chris LaSala (Football); Shawn Mueller (Gymnastics); Joe Lassi (Women’s Lacrosse); Robert Blose (Men’s Basketball); Darryl Weston (Men’s Track & Field / Cross Country); Dr. Tilly Sheets (Men’s Soccer); Dylan Baxendell (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Hope Moreno (Softball); Dr. Tilly Sheets (Volleyball); Danny Bonaventura (Women’s Basketball); Molly Trott (Women’s Track & Field / Cross Country); Ann Marie Porada (Women’s Soccer); Wendy Meyers (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Chris Byland (Wrestling)
2021-22—Austin Thompson (Baseball); Garry Christopher (Men’s Basketball); Ali Hoesly (Women’s Basketball); Darryl Weston (Men’s Cross Country); Indira Bricker (Women’s Cross Country); Chris LaSala (Football); Shawn Mueller (Gymnastics); Joe Lassi (Women’s Lacrosse); Tilly Sheets (Men’s Soccer); Ann Marie Porada (Women’s Soccer); Danny Bonaventura / Brian Williams (Softball); Dylan Baxendell (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Wendy Meyers (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Molly Trott (Men’s Track & Field); Mike Brubaker (Women’s Track & Field); Kate McCartney (Volleyball); Brian Bonnar (Wrestling); Jordan Kissner (Cheer); Jordan Kissner (Dance)
2020-21—Pitt’s Sports Medicine Team
2019-20—N/A
2018-19—Ali Hoesly (Women’s Basketball); Matt Plizga (Men’s Basketball); Jackson Martin (Men’s Track & Field); Molly Trott (Women’s Track & Field); Taylor Gossman (Men’s Cross Country); Darryl Weston (Women’s Cross Country); Kelsi Schaer (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Penny Semaia (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Tyler Carpenter (Women’s Soccer); Christina “Tilly” Sheets (Men’s Soccer); David Stark (Baseball); Jen Tuscano (Softball); Chris LaSala (Football); Mandy Mahramas Matson (Tennis); Auburn Weisensale (Wrestling); Kate McCartney (Volleyball); Shawn Mueller (Gymnastics)
2017-18—Penny Semaia (Cathy and John Pelusi Life Skills Program)

MALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Presented to a male student-athlete for the most remarkable or significant performance achieved.

2024-25—Nigel Hussey (Track & Field)
2023-24—Cameron Cash (Swimming & Diving)
2022-23—Izzy Abanikanda (Football); Nino Bonaccorsi (Wrestling)
2021-22—Jordan Addison (Football)
2020-21—Nino Bonaccorsi; Jake Wentzel (Wrestling)
2019-20—Edward Kizza (Men’s Soccer)
2018-19—Greg Lauray (Men’s Track & Field)
2017-18—Kenny Pickett (Football)

FEMALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Presented to a female student-athlete for the most remarkable or significant performance achieved.

2024-25—Sophie Yendell (Swimming & Diving)
2023-24—Foluke Olujide-Ajibade (Track & Field)
2022-23—Ilse Steigenga (Women’s Track & Field)
2021-22—Leketor Member-Meneh (Volleyball)
2020-21—Kayla Lund (Volleyball)
2019-20—Alecia Petrikis; Deven Herbine (Gymnastics)
2018-19—Layne Van Buskirk (Volleyball)
2017-18—Desiree Garland (Women’s Track & Field)

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Presented to the student-athlete who has made an immediate impact at Pitt in their first year of intercollegiate competition.

2024-25—Casper Svendby (Men's Soccer)
2023-24—Olivia Babcock (Volleyball)
2022-23—Claire Jansen (Women’s Swimming & Diving)
2021-22—Gavin Bartholomew (Football); Hallie Copperwheat (Gymnastics)
2020-21—Valeria Vazquez Gomez (Volleyball); Filip Mirkovic (Men’s Soccer)
2019-20—Lexis Akeo (Volleyball)
2018-19—Demetrius Thomas (Wrestling)
2017-18—Haley Brechwald (Gymnastics)

DAVID SANDBERG CHAMPION AWARD

In memory of the former Pitt wrestler and assistant coach, this award is presented to the senior who best exemplifies the qualities that Sandberg embraced: dedication to academic and athletic excellence, with an unyielding spirit and passionate commitment to the improvement of the University of Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities.

2024-25—Emmy Klika (Volleyball)
2023-24—David Green (Football)
2022-23—Micky Phillippi (Wrestling)
2021-22—Katherine Robinson (Women’s Soccer)
2020-21—David Yanni (Baseball)
2019-20—Juliana Vazquez (Women’s Soccer)
2018-19—Dennis Briggs (Football)
2017-18—Giorgiana Zeremenko (Softball)
2016-17—Ejuan Price (Football)
2015-16—Roosa Arvas (Women’s Soccer)
2014-15—Cameron Wright (Men’s Basketball)
2013-14—P.J. Tasser (Wrestling)
2012-13—Chris Jacobson (Football)
2011-12—Matt Iannazzo (Baseball); Nasir Robinson (Men’s Basketball)
2010-11—Pat Bostick (Football); Gary McGhee (Men’s Basketball)
2009-10—Jermaine Dixon (Basketball)
2008-09—Larod Stephens-Howling (Football)
2007-08—Shanea Calhoun (Women’s Track); Shantea Calhoun (Women’s Track); Mallorie Winn (Women’s Basketball)
2006-07—Levon Kendall (Men’s Basketball)
2005-06—Cheron Taylor (Women’s Basketball)
2004-05—Dan Stephens (Football)
2003-04—Lousaka Polite (Football)
2002-03—James Thornton (Wrestling)

PANTHER AWARD

Presented to the male and female senior student-athlete who has promoted Pittsburgh Athletics through his or her outstanding athletic achievement. These recipients will be forever recognized on the Varsity Walk. Previous recipients can be found here.

2024-25—Rachel Fairbanks (Volleyball), Ben Sauls (Football), Ilse Steigenga (Women's Track & Field)
2023-24—Amanda West (Women’s Soccer); Blake Hinson (Men’s Basketball); Cole Matthews (Wrestling)
2022-23—Courtney Buzzerio (Volleyball); Nino Bonaccorsi (Wrestling); Calijah Kancey (Football)
2021-22—Leketor Member-Meneh (Volleyball); Kenny Pickett (Football)
2020-21—Kayla Lund (Volleyball); Rashad Weaver (Football); Patrick Jones II (Football)
2019-20—Maurice Ffrench (Football); Layne Van Buskirk (Volleyball)
2018-19—Qadree Ollison (Football); Kamalani Akeo (Volleyball)
2017-18—Avonte Maddox (Football); Meme Sharp (Swimming & Diving)

BLUE-GOLD AWARD

Presented to the male and female senior student-athlete who best represents the student-athlete “ideal” based on academic scholarship, athletic achievement, leadership qualities, and citizenship. These recipients will be forever recognized on the Varsity Walk. Previous recipients can be found here.

2024-25—Cameron Cash (Swimming & Diving), Ellie Coffield (Women's Soccer), Valeria Vazquez Gomez (Volleyball)
2023-24—Landy Mertz (Women’s Soccer); Dylan Reed (Men’s Diving)
2022-23—Serena Gray (Volleyball); Deslin Alexandre (Football); Jackson Walti (Men’s Soccer)
2021-22—Olivia Miller (Gymnastics); Amy Read (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Cal Adomitis (Football); Felix Wolter (Men’s Track & Field)
2020-21—Chinaza Ndee (Volleyball); Jimmy Morrissey (Football); Jake Wentzel (Wrestling)
2019-20—Demetrius Thomas (Wrestling); Stephanie Williams (Volleyball)
2018-19—Darrin Hall (Football); Javi Perez (Men’s Soccer); Gillian Schriever (Women’s Track & Field / Cross Country)
2017-18—Ryan Winslow (Football); Andin Fosam (Women’s Track & Field)

TEAM MOMENT OF THE YEAR

Presented in recognition of a striking performance by an individual or group in a specific competition that led to a shift in momentum.

2024-25—Volleyball (Swept then-No. 3 Penn State at the Petersen Events Center)
2023-24—Volleyball (Advancing to the program’s third straight NCAA Final Four in a reverse sweep over Louisville)
2022-23—Volleyball (Advancing to the program’s second NCAA Final Four)
2021-22—Football (Winning its first ACC Championship) and Volleyball (Advancing to the program’s first NCAA Final Four)
2020-21—Men’s Soccer (First ACC Championship appearance in program history)
2019-20—Football (Win vs. No. 15 UCF)
2018-19—Football (Coastal Division Clinching Win vs. Wake Forest)
2017-18—Football (Win over No. 2 Miami)

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Presented to a male standout student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic performance during competition and has been instrumental to their teams’ success.

2024-25—Mac Stout (Wrestling)
2023-24—Blake Hinson (Men’s Basketball)
2022-23—Nino Bonaccorsi (Wrestling)
2021-22—Kenny Pickett (Football)
2020-21—Blaise Vera (Men’s Swimming & Diving)
2019-20—Micky Phillippi (Wrestling)
2018-19—Qadree Ollison (Football)
2017-18—Avonte Maddox (Football)

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Presented to a female standout student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic performance during competition and has been instrumental to their teams’ success.

2024-25—Olivia Babcock (Volleyball)
2023-24—Rachel Fairbanks (Volleyball)
2022-23—Courtney Buzzerio (Volleyball)
2021-22—Kayla Lund (Volleyball)
2020-21—Amanda West (Women’s Soccer)
2019-20—Kayla Lund (Volleyball)
2018-19—Nika Markovic (Volleyball)
2017-18—Haley Brechwald (Gymnastics)

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Reserved for the team that exemplified outstanding athletic achievement.

2020-21—Men’s Soccer
2019-20—Volleyball
2018-19—Volleyball
2017-18—Volleyball

CARSON GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP FULL AWARD

Stewarded to the best candidate who is of high moral character and has shown outstanding undergraduate academic achievement at the University of Pittsburgh, who demonstrates the potential for outstanding graduate study in continuing their graduate or professional education at Pitt.

2023-24—Jerry Chen (Men’s Swimming)
2022-23—Chinaza Ndee (Volleyball)
2021-22—Olivia Miller (Gymnastics)
2020-21—Monica McNeil (Women’s Track & Field)
2019-20—Valerie Daigneault (Women’s Swimming & Diving)
2018-19—Brian Lovasik (Men’s Swimming & Diving)

SCRIPT WRITER AWARD

Recognizes a student-athlete who best embraces Pitt Athletics' seven bridges achieving comprehensive excellence within the classroom, on the field/court of play, within our University community, and within the City of Pittsburgh.

2024-25—Abby Thorne (Lacrosse)
2023-24—Ciara Ward (Gymnastics)
2022-23—Felix Wolter (Men’s Track & Field)
2021-22—Therese Pitman (Women’s Lacrosse)
2020-21—Monica McNeil (Women’s Track & Field)

HERB DOUGLAS MENTORSHIP AWARD

Stewarded to the best candidate who best embodies Herb Douglas’s dedication to leading, inspiring, and mentoring the world’s future achievers.

2024-25—Vontez Ford (Football Alumnus)
2023-24—Sam Clancy (Varsity Letter Club)
2022-23—Penny Semaia (Life Skills)