University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond’s Finest Honored At Annual SPIDYs Awards
04/15/2024 | Baseball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Golf, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Tennis, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Track & Field, Men's Basketball
Richmond, Va. – Richmond Athletics celebrated its accomplishments over the last 12 months at the annual SPIDYs Awards held Monday night at the Robins Center. The event, which showcases the best of Spiders Athletics, was highlighted by a roll call of champions featuring the six programs that have won a conference championship in the last year– football, women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse and men's and women's basketball.
Football's Tristan Wheeler and women's basketball's Grace Townsend were named the Spider Athletes of the Year after their impactful seasons. Wheeler is a five-time All-American and five-time All-CAA selection, posting 487 career tackles in 53 games at linebacker and is second in tackles in the program record book. Townsend earned the award after becoming the first player in program history to record 1,000 points, 500 assists and 500 rebounds. She was the second-leading scorer on the team and led the conference in free throws to help the Spiders win the program's first-ever Atlantic 10 championship.
Soccer's Hannah Antonick won the The Outstanding Civic Engagement Award for her involvement and love for sharing sport through skills-based engagement as a coach for the recreation program with the Richmond Kickers. In her spare time, Antonick coaches young girls and encourages their love for soccer.
Quentin Southall of men's basketball and Katelyn Pennell of swimming and diving won the Outstanding Leadership Award for their roles as leaders on their team and campus community while distinguishing themselves through ethical behavior that embodies the values of Richmond Athletics.
The Donnie Earl Lindsey, Jr. First Year Spirit Award is named in honor of 1999 Spiders football player Donnie Lindsey and is given to a male and female first-year student-athlete who demonstrates enthusiasm for their sport, integrity in their behavior, courage and commitment. This year's winners were men's golf's Drew Carlin and women's tennis' Lainey O'Neil.
Football's Aidan Murray and women's cross country and track and field's Madison Trippett were named this year's Iron Spidys for their demonstrated performance in the weight room, integrity, respect and service to others while continuously improving.
The SAAC Outstanding Service Award was given to members of the University of Richmond housekeeping team, Mazie Ellerbe and Manny Hanes, who play a critical role in Richmond Athletics in helping keep things clean and orderly for student-athletes, coaches and support staff each and every day.
The SAAC Female Assistant Coach Of The Year Award went to women's basketball coach Brittany Pinckney and the SAAC Male Assistant Coach Of The Year was awarded to baseball's Nate Mulberg. Women's lacrosse head coach Anne Harrington ws named SAAC Head Coach Of The Year, and Assistant Athletic Director for Strength and Conditioning, Scott Brincks, was named the SAAC Support Staff Member Of The Year.
The Spider Determination Award honors one male and one female student-athlete who have demonstrated tremendous work ethic toward their athletic pursuits. The award is given to the student-athlete who has exhibited immense dedication, positive attitude, perseverance, improved performance and has gained the respect of their teams. This year's recipients were men's cross country's Jordan Bendura and women's cross country and track and field's Elizabeth Stockman.
Men's lacrosse's Aidan O'Neil was named the Newcomer of the Year after his freshman campaign in 2023 saw him net 25 goals and chip in 12 assists en route to being named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. Melissa Nwakalor, a freshman on the swimming and diving team, won the award on the women's side for breaking the school record in the 50m freestyle which lead her to winning gold at this year's Atlantic 10 championships.
This year's Be The Change Award went to women's lacrosse's Maddy Sesay, who actively embodies and promotes the ideals of diversity, inclusivity and belonging through her actions as a member of SAAC.
Baseball's Brian Reinke and soccer's Logan Anderson won the Spider Pride Award for embodying the true spirit of what it means to be a Spider student-athlete while displaying an unwavering commitment to winning and excellence as well as being a role model for the entire Richmond community.
University Chaplain Dr. Craig Kocher earned this year's Distinguished Faculty And Staff Award. Dr. Kocher has been a rock and moral compass for Spider Athletics for the past 15 years. A true friend and supporter of the Spiders. Kocher has mentored student-athletes, helped create study abroad programs and has worked hard ot create a strong connection between athletics and the university. Kocher can be heard broadcasting Spider women's basketball games, shooting off the tee-shirt gun at games and bringing his family to as many events as possible.
Highest Class GPA Award
Highest First Year GPA: (11 way tie) Aidan Wooley (men's lacrosse), Parker Moellinger (men's golf), Jack Levine (men's cross country), Cameryn Sicard (soccer), Thea Conomikes (field hockey), Haven Buechner (women's lacrosse), Caroline Chandler (women's lacrosse), Grace Gannon (women's lacrosse), Erin Budde (swimming and diving), Melissa Nwakalor (swimming and diving), Rachel Vandersea (swimming and diving)
Highest Sophomore GPA: Phoebe Rubio, Natalie Stuart, Joe Sheridan
Highest Junior GPA: Isabel Blaylock (women's cross country and track and field), Liam Weaver (men's basketball)
Presidential Citation Award (male and female student athlete with highest accumulative GPA in senior class): Garrett Clark (men's golf) and Casey Merz (soccer)
SAAC Superlatives:
Spiderman Award: Addie Budnik (women's basketball) and Jackson Hardy (football)
Best Duo-Male: Sebastian Miano and Daniel Kliebhan (men's tennis)
Best Duo-Female: JoJo McShane and Marisa Snee (soccer)
Funniest Teammates: Cooper Groat (men's cross country) and Melissa Mwanza (women's basketball)
Most Likely To Bring Home To Parents: William Tune (men's cross country) and Caroline Weldon (swimming and diving)
Most Likely To Win An Olympic Gold Medal: Aaron Whitley (baseball) and Hannah Lydic (women's golf)
Most Likely To Be A Millionaire: Garrett Clark (men's golf) and Lainey O'Neil (women's tennis)
Most Likely To Be On TV: Dalton Young (men's lacrosse) and Sofia Mancino (soccer)
Best Gameday Hair: Jake Elbeery (baseball) and Brooke Reif (women's cross country and track and field)
Rising Stars: D.J. Pacheco (baseball) and Freya MacKay (field hockey)Players Mentioned
