Pitt Athletics Hosts Inaugural Panthers’ Choice Awards

Photo by: Pete Madia/Pitt Athletics

Pitt Athletics Hosts Inaugural Panthers’ Choice Awards

4/16/2018 10:43:00 PM | Baseball, Cross Country, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Women's Basketball, Women's Gymnastics, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, Track & Field

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Panthers Announce Athletics Department Awards for 2017-18

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics hosted the inaugural Panthers' Choice Awards at Petersen Events Center Monday night in celebration of student-athlete achievements in academics, athletics and citizenship made during the 2017-18 academic year.

"It was a great night to celebrate the academic and athletic success of our teams, as well as their commitment to our community," Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. "We wanted to do it in a way that we could create a new tradition and a new experience for our student-athletes to unite and engage and have fun at. That's how it came together. The Leadership Team, Kelly Brennan, Colin Sisk and Penny Semaia and everybody that contributed made it all happen. It was a memorable night."

Formerly called the Panther Gala, the Panthers' Choice Awards honor Pitt's top athletic performances, community service participation as well as the top teams in terms of both athletic and academic accomplishment.

Additionally, the prestigious Panther Awards and Blue-Gold Awards were presented during the program. The names of the recipients are forever recognized on Pitt's Varsity Walk between the Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Memorial Chapel, in a tradition that dates back to 1950.

Student-athletes LJ Bentley (Wrestling) and Sebastian Curtin (Men's Track & Field, Cross Country) served as emcees for the event.

Below is a full list of awards presented Friday evening.

Top Overall Academic Team of the Year

Reserved for the team with the highest cumulative GPA for the spring and fall semesters of 2017.
Winner: 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.
Winner: Olivia Gray (Softball)

Panthers Unite Award

Presented to the team whose passion and dedication to Pitt Athletics is found in its support of other Pitt teams through participation in the Panthers Unite initiative.
Winner: 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.
Winners: Matt Bischoff (Men's Soccer), Dennis Briggs (Football), Khameron Davis (Men's Basketball), Callie Frey (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 (Volleyball), Jabari Michael-Khensu (Men's Track & Field), Mikaela Mondschein (Dance), Taylor Myers (Softball), Matt Pidich (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.
Winner: Gymnastics

James Conner Comeback of the Year

Presented to a student-athlete who, having recovered from an injury, illness or hardship, returns to make a noteworthy contribution to their teams' athletic success.
Winner: Jaryd Jones-Smith (Football)

Administrator 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.
Winner: Penny Semaia (Cathy and John Pelusi Life Skills Program)

Male and Female Performance of the Year

Presented to a male and female student-athlete for the most remarkable or significant performance achieved in 2017.
Winners: Kenny Pickett (Football), Desiree Garland (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. Nominees may include freshmen and redshirts.
Winner: 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.
Winner: Giorgiana Zeremenko (Softball)

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.
Winners: 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.
Winners: Ryan Winslow (Football), Andin Fosam (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.
Winner: Football (Win over No. 2 Miami)

Male and Female Athlete of the Year

Presented to a male and female standout student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic performance during competition and has been instrumental to their teams' success.
Winners: Avonte Maddox (Football), Haley Brechwald (Gymnastics)

Team of the Year