University of Pittsburgh Athletics
2026 Panther’s Choice Awards
4/13/2026 9:08:00 PM | General
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics hosted the ninth annual Panthers' Choice Awards Monday night with a celebration of student-athlete achievements in academics, athletics and citizenship made during the 2025-26 academic year.
The Panthers' Choice Awards honor Pitt's top athletic performances and community service participation, as well as the top teams in terms of both athletic and academic accomplishment.
The prestigious Panther 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 to 1950.
Football's Kyle Louis, volleyball's Bre Kelley, wrestling's Luca Augustine and lacrosse's Gracie Kahoun will each have their names engraved on the prestigious Varsity Walk, ensuring their status as legends in Pitt Athletics history.
Below is a full list of awards presented Monday.
Top Overall Academic Teams of the Year
Reserved for the male and female team with the highest cumulative GPA for the spring and fall semesters of 2025.
• Winners: Men's Soccer and Volleyball
Bridge Builder Award
Presented to the team whose student-athletes demonstrate the strongest commitment to making an impact in the community.
• Winner: Track & Field/Cross Country
Heart of a Panther Award
Presented to the student-athletes who best embody the spirit of service through the Pitt Promise and is involved in the community above and beyond what is required.
• Mateo de La Pena (Wrestling)
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.
• Men's Basketball: Damarco Minor
• Football: Isaiah Neal
• Women's Basketball: Macie Arzner
• Lacrosse: Maggie Long
• Men's Soccer: Alex Hauskrecht
• Women's Soccer: Katie Zailski
• Men's Track and Field: Darren McQueen Jr.
• Men's Cross Country: Luke Simpson
• Women's Track and Field: Norrah Lemongo
• Women's Cross Country: Gianna Cagliola
• Men's Swimming: Drew Jalbert
• Men's Diving: Noah Bernard
• Women's Swimming: Sof Tijunelis
• Women's Diving: Jess Vega
• Gymnastics: Jaime Pratt
• Volleyball: Olivia Babcock
• Wrestling: Luca Augustine
• Baseball: Anthony LaSala
• Softball: Sofia Meer
• Cheer: Madison Lear
• Dance: Mia Flaherty
Gold Standard Administrator of the Year
Presented to non-coaching staff members of the athletic department who have gone above and beyond to ensure success and development of the student-athletes.
• Baseball: Gunnar Geyer
• Men's Basketball: Mike Farabaugh
• Women's Basketball: Taylor Scales
• Gymnastics: Shawn Mueller
• Football: Chris Lasala
• Women's Soccer: Ann Marie Porada
• Men's Swimming: Chris Byland
• Men's Diving: Michael Stegemoeller
• Lacrosse: Michael Stegemoeller
• Women's Swimming: Marian Clark
• Women's Diving: Blaire Ford
• Softball: Gunnar Geyer
• Men's Track & Field: David Steinbeck
• Men's Cross Country: Darryl Weston
• Women's Track & Field: Sophia Steinmeyer
• Women's Cross Country: Raquel Montalvo Perez
• Wrestling: Brian Bonnar
• Volleyball: Tilly Sheets
• Men's Soccer: Tilly Sheets
• Dance: Katie Stumpp
• Cheer: Katie Stumpp
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: Maureen McNierney (Lacrosse)
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: Margaret Wilde (Women's Soccer)
Male and Female Performance of the Year
Presented to a male and female student-athlete for the most remarkable or significant performance achieved in 2024-25.
• Winners: Lorenzo Carrier (Baseball) – Carrier is off to a tremendous start to the 2026 baseball season, hitting .386 with 13 homers and 52 RBI through the first 34 games of the season. He ranks among the top 10 nationally in walks, on-base percentage, RBI, and slugging percentage. Claire Jansen (Swimming & Diving) – Jansen was a first team All-American in both the 100 and 200 backstroke. She finished fourth at the NCAA Championships in the 200 backstroke and seventh in the 100 backstroke. She also earned honorable mention All-America honors in the 200 free relay, the 400 free relay and the 800 free relay.
Newcomer of the Year
Presented to the student-athlete who has made an immediate impact at Pitt in their first year of competition. Nominees may include freshmen, transfers and redshirts.
• Winner: Marina Pezelj (Volleyball)
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: The Pitt volleyball team advanced to its fifth consecutive national semifinal with a 3-1 win over No. 12 Purdue inside Petersen Events Center. Olivia Babcock led the way with 23 kills and Brooke Mosher paced the offense with 47 assists. Pitt became just the sixth team in NCAA volleyball history to advance to five straight national semifinals.
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: Mason Heintschel (Football) and Olivia Babcock (Volleyball)
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's community, and within the city of Pittsburgh.
• Winner: Jackson Gilman (Men's Soccer)
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: Luca Augustine (Wrestling), Gracie Kahoun (Lacrosse)
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: Kyle Louis (Football), Bre Kelley (Volleyball)
Herb Douglas Mentorship Award
Stewarded to the candidate who best embodies Herb's dedication to leading, inspiring and mentoring the world's future achievers.
• Winner: Gail Evans-Potter
