SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, April 18, USC Upstate Athletics held the annual "Sparty Awards", hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). For the first time since the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic, student-athletes from all 15 USC Upstate programs, coaches, and athletic support staff gathered in person to enjoy a night of celebrating Spartan athletes and their accomplishments.
The SAAC Faculty/Staff Member of the Year award is given to a faculty or staff member who supports our student-athletes on and off the playing surface. This year's winner was and always is the loudest Upstate supporter, whether he is found starting cheers in the Hodge or using the vuvuzela at outdoor events. Mr. Keith Hansen, an adjunct instructor in computer science, has been a constant supporter of Upstate athletics and every athlete who suits up in an Upstate uniform.
The SAAC Spartan Leadership Award goes to the student-athlete that has exhibited a passion and has sought out opportunities to lead his or her peers in their time at Upstate. SAAC President,
Michael Tardella (men's cross country/track), was presented with this honor. He came into his senior year seeking to bring the Spartan student-athlete family together, through this year's new SAAC initiative of "Green Games", after a challenging two years where separation was encouraged.
Upstate's new Director of Strength and Conditioning,
Jake Suvak, presented the Conrad Strength and Conditioning Award. This year's recipients are
Kevin Davis (baseball) and
Alexis Mareko (volleyball). On behalf of the strength and conditioning staff Suvak said, "Davis is the biggest human on campus and the biggest presence in the weight room. From being an intern with the strength and conditioning staff to being a student-athlete, Kevin sets the standard for hard work in everything he does". In regard to Mareko, "Lex put forth incredible effort in the weight room every day which helped her to be one of the leading forces on the volleyball team this past season. She consistently sets an example of hard work that every athlete should strive for."
The Spartanburg Regional Medicine Award was presented by the Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine, Sandy Sandago and Athletic Trainer,
Katlyn Ledbetter, to
Austin Morgan (baseball) after he made a stellar come back from an injury last year. Morgan hoped to get drafted, following his graduation from Upstate and was willing to do whatever was necessary to get back on the diamond. He underwent surgery and endured rehab through the summer and fall, going from an immobilization brace to regaining motion and strength, and completing a 3-4 month throwing program. He was able to fully come back from his injury and earning a spot in the weekend rotation this season as well as winning the Big South Pitcher of the Week award in March.
Two Freshman of the Year awards were presented, one male and one female. This award is given out to a male or female freshman that has excelled athletically in his or her sport. The Male Freshman of the Year was presented to
Jordan Gainey (men's basketball). Gainey wrapped his first season in a Spartan uniform as one of the most efficient shooters in the country, leading Upstate in both field goal percentage (47.1) and three-point percentage (49.3). Averaging 13.8 points per game on the season and 16.3 points per game during league play, Gainey became the third player in the program's Division I era (2007-pres.) to earn conference Freshman of the Year honor while also earning Second Team All-Conference and All-Freshman Team honors.
Noah Sullivan (Baseball) and
Channing Ferguson (Men's Track and Field) were also nominated for this award.
The Female Freshman of the Year award was presented to
Rachael Rose (women's basketball). Rose kicked off her collegiate career with major success finishing the season ranked third in the league in field goal percentage—leading all-conference guards—shooting 54.6 percent while shooting 40.3 percent from three. She averaged 13.1 points per game this season. Rose was the second player in the program's Division I era (2007-pres.) to earn conference Freshman of the Year honors; she also earned Honorable Mention All-Big South honors and a spot on the conference's All-Freshman Team.
Katherine Cunningham (Women's Soccer),
Bracie Vaughn (women's track and field) and
Denver Lauer (Softball) were also nominated for this award.
The Newcomer of the Year award is given to the male and female student-athlete who transferred to Upstate from another institution and made an immediate impact. The Male Newcomer of the Year award was presented to
Noah Myers (baseball). Following a transfer from South Carolina, Myers has made an immediate impact atop the Spartan batting order. Through 36 games this season, he leads Upstate with 40 runs scored while setting the program's Division I era (2007-pres.) record for single-season stolen bases, swiping 19 in 21 attempts this year. Myers is batting .294 this season, racking up 42 hits with three homers while boasting a .434 slugging percentage and .413 on-base percentage. Also nominated for this award was
Bryce Ravenell (men's track) and
Brady Hinkle (men's golf).
The Female Newcomer of the Year award was presented to
Chellia Watson (women's basketball).
Chellia Watson transferred from the University of Cincinnati and quickly became a key piece in the Spartan lineup, starting all 30 of Upstate's contests. Watson finished the regular season ranked sixth in the Big South in scoring, averaging 15.6 points per contest while posting 20 double-figure scoring games. She finished the year, firing 47.8 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from beyond the arc. She also chipped in 116 rebounds, 70 assists, 39 steals, and six blocks. Watson was recognized for her efforts as she was named to the First Team All-Big South at the conclusion of the season.
Campbell Gibson (Women's Soccer),
Alyssa Kelly (Softball), and
Allie Hamsher (Volleyball) were also nominated for this award.
The Joe Bowman Pinnacle Award is given to the senior student-athletes who have embodied what it means to be a Spartan student-athlete. They show strong character, demonstrate strong academic achievement, and are important members of their team on the field or court. This year we have 7 senior student-athletes who were recognized for encompassing what it means to be a Joe Bowman Pinnacle Award Winner.
This year, Upstate renamed the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award in honor of
Dr. Jim Griffis. For over 36 years, Dr. Griffis has been a fixture here at USC Upstate as an associate professor of Philosophy and for the last 15 years, he has served our student-athletes as our Faculty Athletic Representative. He is the current chair of the Big South Faculty Athletic Representatives and previously served in the same role with the Atlantic Sun Conference. From 2013 to 2020 he was our lead advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Counsel and has served on two NCAA National Committees in his career.
The
Dr. Jim Griffis Scholar-Athlete of the Year award was presented to
Justin Hynes (men's soccer) and
Kelly Wiedemann (volleyball). Also nominated and creating the Sparty's All-Academic Team were:
Jeff Taylor (baseball),
Josh Aldrich (men's basketball),
El Kluaymaingarm (men's golf),
Jared Keklak (men's cross country/track),
Molly Coleman (women's basketball),
Abigayle Hatcher (women's golf),
Courtney Cranmer (women's soccer), and
Sarah Price (softball).
The Student-Athlete of the Year award is given to the male and female student-athlete who is a top-performing athlete in their sport. The winner of the Male Student-Athlete of the Year was
Tony Auguste (men's track and field). Auguste has earned a total of 11 top-ten finishes across the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. The highlight of Auguste's season so far was his Big South Indoor Conference Championship performance where he won 1st place in the weight throw while setting a new Upstate School Record in the event as well as placing 7th in the shot put that same day. Auguste was also named to the Big South All-Conference Team following his amazing performance.
The winner of the Female Student-Athlete of the Year was
Hannah Houge (softball). Houge transferred from Erskine College and made an immediate impact in Upstate Softball. In the circle, she has had some impressive success including 24 wins, 13 shutouts, and over 200 strikeouts this season. Houge is ranked top 50 in the nation in eight different categories, including second in shutouts and victories, and sixth for strikeouts.
Other nominees for the Student-Athlete of the Year award in addition to Auguste and Houge make up the "All-Spartys Team" and those recognized in this group are:
Devin Buckner (baseball),
Bryson Mozone (men's basketball),
Mario Arrocha (men's soccer),
Chellia Watson (women's basketball),
Ashley Finn (women's soccer),
Beem Pabsimma (women's golf), and
Kelly Wiedemann (Volleyball) were also nominated for this honor.
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