Torero Athletics: Recognition, Fun at 2017-18 Celebration of Excellence

Torero Athletics: Recognition, Fun at 2017-18 Celebration of Excellence

The 2017-18 University of San Diego Athletics’ Celebration of Excellence took place at San Diego’s Coasterra on Monday, May 7. All 17 Division I Torero men and women’s sports teams, athletics administrators, coaches and staff were on hand to honor athletes in various award categories and recognize the hard work, dedication and success of the entire USD program. The evening also included such fun aspects as team lip-sync videos, lots of laughter and dancing.

This year’s awards (and nominations for the top four categories) were:

Torero Male Athlete of the Year: Jonathan Petersen, Football.

Other Nominees: Jay Schuyler, Baseball; Cameron Neubauer, Basketball; Liam Burke, Cross Country; Dalton Hankamer, Golf; Jack Orr, Rowing; Henry Lander, Soccer; Alex Araouzos, Tennis.

Torero Female Athlete of the Year: Kristen Gengenbacher, Volleyball.

Other Nominees: Aubrey Ward-El, Basketball; Madison Lambros, Cross Country; Lizzie Bader, Rowing; Amber Michel, Soccer; Taylor Spence, Softball; Alex Hubel, Swimming/Diving; Colomba DiFilippo, Tennis; Hannah Rasmussen, Track.

Male Newcomer of the Year: August Holmgren, Tennis.

Other Nominees: Yauhen Massalski, Basketball; Tora Otsuka, Baseball; Jackson Pearce, Cross Country; Emilio Martinez, Football; Tyler Gulliksen, Golf; Brennan McManus, Rowing; Aaron Frey, Soccer.

Female Newcomer of the Year: Roxie Wiblin, Volleyball.

Other Nominees: Hannah Boos, Softball; Myah Pace, Basketball; Hannah Rasmussen, Cross Country/Track; Kailyn Evans, Swimming/Diving; Isla Blake, Rowing; Natalie Copenhaver, Soccer; Carolin Nonnenmacher, Tennis.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Leadership Awards: Sam Mattice, Cross Country/Track and Mackenna Briggs, Swimming and Diving.

Spirit of the Torero Award: Women’s Swimming and Diving.

Highest Student-Athlete GPAs: Sophomores: Simon Finnie, Men’s Rowing, and Beth Wade, Cross Country; Junior: MK Clancy, Swimming and Diving; Senior: Max Michaels, Football.

Father Owen Mullen Service Award: Angelica Sheils, Women’s Soccer.