DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis Athletics celebrated its student athletes with the annual Aggie Awards, and for the second-straight year the celebration was held on the floor of the University Credit Union Center.
 
A total of 12 awards, six departmental and six voted on by the student athletes themselves, were given out on Sunday evening.
 
“SAAC was thrilled to host the second annual Aggie Awards to celebrate the incredible accomplishments from our athletes this year,” said senior Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President Kayla Wolfe (equestrian). “It is always so special to have our athletes recognized for their passion, pride, and dedication to the sport and Aggie community. 
 
“Being a part of SAAC and Athletics has given me some of the most meaningful moments at UC Davis. As my time with SAAC comes to an end, I am so grateful for our amazing executives, staff, and athletes for building such a strong community and constantly raising the bar!”
 
The University Credit Union was once again transformed into a proper awards venue, complete with a “blue carpet” for fit checks, a 360-selfie booth and a large center stage to show case the many Aggie talents.

“This was our highest performing year across the board athletically and among the highest GPA’s in Aggie history,” notes Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca. “I am proud to celebrate all our student-athletes achieved and highlight the importance of the relationships they built – between teams, on campus and in the community – that will pay off far into their futures.”

2025 AGGIE AWARDS

 

DEPARTMENT AWARDS

 

Sarah Sumpter Perseverance Award

 

The Sarah Sumpter Perseverance Award is in honor of Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Famer Sarah Sumpter, and it is given to a current UC Davis student athlete who has overcome a significant obstacle to return to varsity competition.

 

Sumpter herself overcame a brain tumor diagnosis in 2010 to post an exemplary career in the Blue & Gold in both cross country and track & Field. On the eve of the 2010 cross country season, tragedy struck: during a routine doctor’s visit, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After successfully undergoing emergency surgery, and sitting out the 2010-11 season, Sumpter incredibly returned to action while continuing her chemotherapy.

 

In her final three seasons, she posted two runner-up finishes at the Big West cross country championships, won three Big West individual titles in the 5,000 and 10,000-meter races, and added a Big West Track Athlete of the Year award. Sumpter also advanced to the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Championships, where she posted a USTFCCCA All-America second-team finish. A year later, she competed at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

 

Tragically in 2015 while she was training for the New York City Marathon, Sumpter’s health quickly began to deteriorate and on Sept. 21 she passed away at the age of 25.  

 

RECIPIENT – Kylie Jacobson (Equestrian)

This year’s recipient, Kylie Jacobson, suffered a terrible riding accident last summer. After finishing a great ride, her horse was unexpectedly spooked. And when she was thrown off her horse she got caught in the horse’s legs, and her face was trampled.

 

She shattered her upper jaw, orbital bone, nasal spine, and lost three teeth. After a week’s stay in the hospital and facial reconstructive surgery, she was sent home with her mouth wired shut for six weeks. At the beginning of the season, she got back in the saddle, regained her confidence, and she quickly returned to being a fierce competitor.

 

Jacobson participated in 10 meets this season and took home five wins. Her season included two ECAC Horsemanship Rider of the Week awards and she was named to the ECAC Horsemanship All-Tournament Team and earned an ECAC All-Academic Honorable Mention.

 

Marya Welch Award

 

The Marya Welch Award is an award bestowed to the women’s team with the highest GPA, celebrating the outstanding work done by the program in the classroom.

 

The award honors the remarkable legacy of Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Famer Marya Welch, a true pioneer in women’s athletics. As a physical education instructor, coach, and dean of women at UC Davis, Welch played a pivotal role in establishing women’s sports on campus during the 1950s. Her tireless efforts included founding intramural and extramural sports programs, coaching various teams, and advocating for gender equity. In recognition of her far-reaching contributions, the award celebrates excellence, dedication, and empowerment in women’s athletics.

 

RECIPIENT – Women’s Water Polo (3.48 GPA)

 

Lysle Leach Award

 

The Lysle Leach Award is bestowed to the men’s team with the highest GPA, celebrating the outstanding work done by the program in the classroom.

 

A Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Famer, inducted as a faculty athletics representative, Lysle Leach was one of the University’s truly distinguished educators and scientists. As one of the first plant pathologists to be located at UC Davis (in 1929), he played an extremely important role in the development of the fledgling Department (then known as a division) of Plant Pathology.

 

In addition to his devotion to plant pathology, Professor Leach had a keen interest in student affairs and in the UC Davis athletic program. From 1941 to 1964 he served as faculty representative to the Far Western Intercollegiate Athletics Conference and the NCAA. In this capacity he worked hard and effectively to preserve the UC Davis philosophy that an athlete is a student first.

 

RECIPIENT – Men’s Basketball (3.29 GPA)

 

W.P. Lindley Award

 

The W.P. Lindley Award celebrates the best of both worlds by naming the year’s outstanding Scholar Athlete. An award Aggies take pride in, being able to balance both the classroom and the field while excelling at both is why this award is sought after by all who have worn the Blue & Gold.

 

RECIPIENT – Niko Rocak (Men’s Basketball)

Rocak led the Big West in blocks per game and led the Aggies in rebounds as he led his teammates as an elected team captain. He is an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Team Impact. After completing his undergraduate degree in Chemistry, he stuck around to pursue his MBA through the Graduate School of Management.

 

Dr. Hubert Heitman Award

 

The Dr. Hubert Heitman Award is bestowed upon the Aggie Female Athlete of the Year.

 

A pioneer of research on the UC Davis campus for 32 years, Dr. Hubert Heitman Jr., was elected to the Cal Aggie Hall of Fame in 1990 for good reason. His love for the Aggies. Dr. Heitman believed strongly in the idea of the student athlete who plays for enjoyment and with his wife their support of women’s sports at UC Davis and beyond helped launch the growth we see today. He served on many committees, including serving as the vice president of the NCAA’s governing council where he went to bat for women’s sports on many occasions.

 

RECIPIENT – Sam Tristan (Women’s Soccer)

 

The Fresno, Calif., native earned her first career United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women’s All-West Region team honors and was the first Aggie to ever be recognized as the Big West Offensive Player of the Year. Sam Tristan started in all 20 contests for the Aggies in 2024, earning first team All-Big West honors leading the league with 24 points and 26 shots on goal, and becoming one of only two student-athletes to record double-digit scores (10) this season.

 

Tristan helped the Aggies get a signature win over LSU and make a run to the Big West Tournament semifinals.

 

Colby E. “Babe” Slater Award

 

The Colby E. “Babe” Slater Award is bestowed upon the Aggie Male Athlete of the Year.

 

A native of California and a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in rugby, Colby E. “Babe” Slater first stepped foot on the campus of UC Davis in 1914. Slater played basketball for the Blue & Gold and after he graduated in 1917, he served his country during World War I.

 

Slater then hit the Rugby pitch with team USA where he was a member of the 1920 and 1924 national teams that would win back-to-back gold medals at the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics. His contributions to the sport of rugby lead to a pair of inductions into the US Rugby Hall of Fame.

 

And like a true Aggie, Slater would go on to become a farmer, where his Aggie Pride showed with each harvest.

 

RECIPIENT – Lan Larison (Football)

 

Lan Larison set the nation on fire during the 2024 season, ending the year among the best in the country in numerous categories. Larison racked up four All-American honors, he was named first team All-Big Sky Conference and he was named a Walter Payton Award finalist.

 

He finished the year with a national leading and school record setting 2,387 all-purpose yards racking up 1,465 total rushing yards and 874 receiving yards during the season. Larison added 17 rushing touchdowns and six receiving touchdowns and he finished ranked nationally second in total touchdowns, third in rushing yards and total scoring per game, sixth in rushing touchdowns and ninth in rushing yards per game. And his 874 receiving yards led all running backs in the nation.

 

While not getting drafted, Larison immediately signed a free agent deal with the National Football League’s New England Patriots and is currently a member of their roster.

 

STUDENT-ATHLETE AWARDS

 

New Aggie of The Year

 

Presented to the student-athlete who provided positive contributions, spirit and went above and beyond for their program in the their first season wearing the Blue & Gold.

 

RECIPIENT – Ximena Cordero Barr (Volleyball)

 

Aggie Pride

 

For a student-athlete who models and exudes the most Aggie PRIDE which stands for pride, resourceful, inclusive, determined and excellence. They demonstrate involvement, spirit and can be seen as the most diverse events.

 

RECIPIENT – Brody Crouch (Men’s Water Polo)

 

Best Upset of the Year

 

RECIPIENT – Women’s Soccer vs. LSU

On Junior Aggie Day, UC Davis put the nation on notice with its first ever win over an SEC opponent when they knocked off LSU 4-3 on a sunny September afternoon at Aggie Soccer Field. In the 13th minute Genavieve Fontes scored the first of her two goals in the match to quickly put the Aggies ahead 1-0. But LSU was not an easy team to put away and goals in the 51st and 70th minutes put the Tigers in front 2-1. But Jayde Holley and Sam Tristan answered the call scoring a pair of goals only minutes apart in the 78th and 79th minutes to give UC Davis a late 3-2 lead.

LSU answered in the 82nd minute setting up an historic finish for the Aggies. Ashleigh Garcia intercepted a midfield pass from LSU and quickly flipped the pace of play finding Fontes with a streaking pass up the left side. The Aggie attacker took her touches before smashing home the eventual game winner to cap off her brace and send Aggie Soccer Field into a frenzy.

 

Best Moment of the Year

 

Given for the most shocking, thrilling and exciting performance.

 

RECIPIENT – Cason Goodman (MSOC)

 

UC Davis men’s soccer clinched their spot in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament, defeating UC Santa Barbara 2-0 in the Big West Championship Final. Cason Goodman secured the Aggies’ advancement to the program’s fourth-ever NCAA Division I Tournament, by scoring both goals for the Aggies to win.

 

Women’s Team of the Year

 

Presented to the women’s team that best demonstrated the most Aggie Pride with the most impressive season.

 

RECIPIENT – Gymnastics

Qualified for the NCAA Regionals for the first time in 10 years, reaching the Seattle Regional after finishing the year strong. Over the final six meets, the Aggies scored no lower than 195.300 and three times broke 196.000 to power themselves into position to be among the best in the nation.

 

Men’s Team of the Year

 

Presented to the Men’s team that best demonstrated the most Aggie Pride with the most impressive season.

 

RECIPIENT – Men’s Soccer

The Aggies took down the Big West’s top seeded UC Santa Barbara 2-0 to win the Big West Championship and punch their ticket to the NCAA Division I tournament. It was the fourth time the Aggies have qualified for the tournament in program history and they became the first-ever No. 4 seed to win the Big West Championship. The Aggies would eventually fall to San Diego in the NCAA Tournament First Round, wrapping up an historic championship season by UC Davis.

 

Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium and TFO Partners Field will be busy this summer, as the Hillsdale College baseball facility will be the home site for a summer wood bat league team in June and July.

The Michigan Monarchs of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League will call Hillsdale home, playing 22 games at Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium and TFO Partners Field over the next two months, starting with a 4:35 PM contest against the Flag City Sluggers this Sunday, June 8.

The GLSCL is one of the oldest summer collegiate leagues in the United States, having been in operation annually since 1987 and operating with teams in Michigan and Ohio. Teams are made up of NCAA Division I and II college athletes who join the squads over the summer after the conclusion of their playing seasons. Top-end talent plays in the GLSCL, as 100 future MLB players have appeared in the league over its history, and the league averages 25 MLB draftees or signees among its alumni every year.

The Monarchs roster this summer will include Division I baseball players from Michigan State, Ohio State, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Oakland, Toledo, Illinois-Chicago and Cal St. Northridge, as well as Hillsdale College pitcher Andrew George and several Division II, Division III and Junior College players. The team will be coached by Hillsdale College alumnus and current baseball assistant coach Cody Kanclerz.

You can find a full schedule for the Monarchs, including home dates in Hillsdale, at this link. 

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Head Coach Alex Hinsey and the Gardner-Webb University volleyball team have announced its 2025 fall schedule, featuring nine games inside Paul Porter Arena and 14 Big South Conference contests

After a home pre-season intra-squad scrimmage on August 16th and a road scrimmage at ETSU on August 22nd, the Runnin’ Bulldogs begin the main 2025 schedule at UNC Greensboro on August 29th and 30th in tournament action. GWU will face Sacred Heart and Queens in a Friday doubleheader on the 29th, before battling the hosts from UNC-Greensboro on Saturday, the 30th.

September begins with more road games, starting with a trip to Division II Lees McRae on September 2nd, followed by another tournament weekend at Campbell. GWU will face the hosts on Friday night, September 5th before a doubleheader against UNC Greensboro and Norfolk State on Saturday, September 6th to wrap up the stay in 

Buies Creek.

The next weekend rolls on with more tournament action, as the Runnin’ Bulldogs travel to Navy. While in Annapolis, Gardner-Webb will face LeMoyne and hosts Navy on Friday afternoon and evening, September 12th, before taking on former Big South Conference foes Hampton on Saturday afternoon, September 13th.

After spending much of September several hours from home, the ‘Dawgs are back a little closer to campus between September 18th and 20th, for more tournament action at Wofford. GWU will take on Wofford in a true road game on Thursday night September 18th, and Northern Arizona in a single-game on Friday,September 19th. Saturday, September 20th will be the busiest day of the weekend, as the Runnin’ Bulldogs face The Citadel and Marshall back-to-back.

Finally on September 23rd, the Runnin’ Bulldogs will take the court inside Paul Porter Arena for the first time in 2025, hosting Queens University of Charlotte. What follows are three more road games as Big South play begins, with Gardner-Webb visiting Winthrop on September 26th, Radford on October 3rd and High Point on October 4th.

From there, it’s back-to-back home games for the first time in 2025 as Gardner-Webb takes on UNC Asheville on October 10th and USC Upstate on October 11th.

Two more road games follow at Presbyterian on October 17th and Charleston Southern on October 18th, before the Runnin’ Bulldogs return to Boiling Springs for a much-welcomed home-stand. GWU will take on NC Central in a quick non-conference tilt on October 21st, then High Point and Radford back-to-back on October 24th and 25th as Big South play resumes.

October wraps up with the ‘Dawgs final non-conference road game, a second visit to Division II Lees-McRae. Gardner-Webb then faces Charleston Southern at home on October 31st, and Presbyterian at home on November 1st to begin the final month of the campaign.

Following in November are a visit to USC Upstate on November 7th, another to UNC Asheville on November 8th, then Winthrop at home inside Paul Porter Arena on November 14th.

After the conclusion of the regular season, the 2025 Big South Volleyball Tournament is set to begin on November 21st.

With Squash’s Olympic moment just three years away, the U.S. Squash Foundation and Access Youth Academy—in partnership with the PlayLA initiative—are laying the groundwork for a vibrant squash scene in Southern California leading up to and beyond the LA28 Olympic Games. 

As the CEO of Access Youth Academy (AYA), Renato Paiva prioritizes diversifying the future of squash and the development of the sport through exposure to youth, particularly in the Los Angeles and San Diego area.  

“San Diego is just twenty minutes from the border of Mexico. Bringing squash to the forefront sometimes felt like playing beach volleyball in Alaska. It was a far-fetched dream to help the community thrive,” Paiva said. Today, California squash is very much alive and thriving, with an active district led by Paul Buck.

When it comes to squash, for Paiva, it runs deep. He has been around squash since he was nine years old and seen “both the good and the bad” of the sport. As the Vice President of Pan American Squash, he is able to contribute on a global scale, which is critical during an Olympic cycle. Maintaining healthy, constant collaboration on a local, national and global level is all part of what Paiva refers to as squash’s mosaic. 

“I am a tile in the mosaic of squash. I have to take care of my tile properly, or the whole thing looks ugly. To trust that the big picture will be done properly, I have to trust someone leading it,” he said.

In 2022, US Squash partnered with PlayLA to include squash programming at two public parks as a part of its summer and fall seasons. The PlayLA initiative introduces kids to more than 40 different sports at an affordable cost to eliminate economic barriers to sports and serve as a legacy before, during and after the Olympics. After a successful introduction into PlayLA, AYA joined the efforts by providing additional volunteer training, coordination and on-the-ground support, ensuring a sustainable and scalable path forward. Since squash’s introduction, hundreds of kids have been exposed to the sport. AYA and US Squash are aiming to expand programming over the next three years.

The U.S. Squash Foundation has supported PlayLA in various ways, ranging from providing equipment for specific programming to advice and leadership support from US Squash executives to encouraging nomination for the Pan American board. Paiva cites the collaboration between World Squash Federation, US Squash and the Professional Squash Association as one of the keys to Olympic inclusion.

“I feel that they are just one phone call away. I don’t think there’s any other way that US Squash can support that they haven’t already, through not only talent but also treasure,” Paiva said.

PlayLA is making progress as the countdown to the Olympic Games draws nearer. The citywide, all-encompassing athletic initiative engages all sports involved in the Olympics to get involved with kids in the local community. Access Youth Academy executes on behalf of the national governing body here in the United States. 

“It started with one park in an afterschool program where we showcased squash for just one hour with only one wall. From there, we adapted to multiple parks and multiple walls. During the next cycle, we will have four parks to further expand the reach,” Paiva explained. “It is our goal to be able to bring this program to over a dozen parks, but that requires a lot of volunteers.”

Right now, Paiva estimates that he works with 35 volunteers on a rolling basis. Part of the PlayLA initiative, which has introduced over 200 kids to squash to date, involves training pros from other racquet sports and introducing them to squash coaching. When it comes to getting kids interested in squash, that part comes easier than expected. 

“Hitting something against something is a natural instinct. It’s the easiest way to expose kids to squash, regardless of how many walls are involved,” he said. 

What’s next for squash in LA? In the short term, AYA continues to become more involved with youth in the region, targeting “transformative” work with the Los Angeles School District–the largest in the country second only to New York–through school programming, hosting gym classes inside AYA’s walls.

Establishing the framework of accessible exposure to squash for today’s youth in LA sets up a successful future up to and beyond the upcoming Olympic Games. 

“The LA28 Olympics will come, will be amazing, and will go. The eyes of the world will turn to Brisbane, but long-term we hope that we can expand and do the work with the same love and enthusiasm after the closing ceremony and still move the needle forward,” Paiva said.

The U.S. Squash Foundation uplifts grassroots programs like the work of Access Youth Academy through their mission and outreach to grow the sport. Support the U.S. Squash Foundation today to spread squash through SoCal and beyond.

PELLA— A Central College feature on baseball slugger Colton DeRocher was cited as the College Division National Story of the Year by College Sports Communicators in its Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest.
           
The story was authored by athletics senior editor Larry Happel. It’s his second CSC National Story of the Year Award winner. His profile of Central wrestler Jaime Miranda, “From Homeless to Heavyweight,” was cited in 2017.
           

This year’s winner, “Central’s DeRocher: Just as Good, if Not Better,” featured the Dutch outfielder who was born with a congenital defect on his left hand, yet broke Central’s career home runs mark. Happel earlier received the 2024 Fall NCAA Division III and Division III Sports Information Directors of America (D3SIDA) Recognition Award for the DeRocher story.
           
The story was also the CSC contest winner in the Athlete Profile category. Nearly 500 entries were submitted in seven categories in the contest. Each category was first judged on the district level, with the winners then advancing to national consideration. All national category winners were considered for National Story of the Year.
           
Five of Happel’s entries received CSC College Division District 7 awards this year. The College Division includes NCAA Division II and III institutions as well as NAIA schools and two-year colleges. Jerry Price of Princeton University won the top University Division award with “Of Love, Sorrow and Cancer,” a feature about three Princeton women’s soccer players dealing with cancer.
           
The awards will be presented at the CSC Convention June 8-11 in Orlando, Florida, where Happel will receive the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award                                             
           
Happel spent 45 years as Central’s athletics communications director and continues to serve in a a part-time role. He has received 24 CSC writing awards overall as well as two from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He’s also received more than 35 CSC publication awards and was inducted into the CSC Hall of Fame in 2010 after receiving the CSC Warren Berg Award in 2006. He’s a former CSC board member and past D3SIDA president.