On Sunday night at the annual Pony Awards, SMU took a night to honor the many achievements of Mustang student-athletes this year.
The most prestigious honor, the Athletic Director's S.P.I.R.I.T. Award, was presented to football's Justin Lawler and women's soccer's Claire Oates for epitomizing SMU's values of Service, Passion, Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Teamwork.
The full list of nominees and award winners below:
Highest Team GPA
Presented to a male and female sport in recognition of the highest team GPA for the spring and fall semesters of 2017.
Men's Soccer
Women's Swimming and Diving
Most Improved Team GPA
An annual award in honor of the team with the most improved GPA for the spring and fall semesters of 2017.
Women's Basketball
Leadership Institute
Recognizes the 17 Student-Athletes who have participated in the MustangYOU Leadership institute. These Student-Athletes have completed in depth career development, participated in networking opportunities, and worked toward improving leadership attributes for professional, personal and team environments.
The year-long program culminates in a service trip to Belize.
Athletic Director's Honor Roll
Awarded to all 286 Student-Athletes who have attained at least a 3.0 GPA over the spring and fall semesters of 2017.
Academic Momentum Award
Recognizes a male or female Student-Athlete who persevered on the quest for academic success.
Kevin Johnson - Football
Presidential Award of Excellence
Presented to a graduating senior with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who has demonstrated outstanding ability on the field and in the classroom.
Bryce Clark - Men's Soccer
FCA Faithful Service Award
Award given each year to the male and female Student-Athletes who best represent the mission and vision of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes through their dedicated service to the FCA huddle. Award recipients are selected based on their personal spiritual growth, dedication, and commitment to SMU FCA.
Justin Bertelsman - Men's Swimming and Diving
El Yellin - Women's Swimming and Diving
Student-Athlete Choice Award
Presented to the Student-Athlete whose peers believe they serve as an outstanding role model for the community.
Jonathan Gomez - Men's Swimming and Diving
Sportsmanship Award
Presented to the male and female Student-Athlete who have demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship in the competitive arena.
Male Nominees
Gray Townsend - Golf - Winner
Jimmy Whitt - Basketball
Nick Badsky - Swimming and Diving
Female Nominees
Holly Lansidel - Equestrian - Winner
Ariana Whitfield - Basketball
Chelsea Francis - Track & Field
Katina Tsapos - Soccer
Kelly Brunstein - Volleyball
Emma Pieroni - Tennis
Kennedy Pedigo - Golf
Perseverance Award
Presented to the male and female Student-Athlete who have demonstrated an exceptional degree of determination in overcoming personal, medical and/or academic obstacles.
Male Nominees
Michael Nelson - Soccer - Winner
Ben Emelogu II - Basketball
Bryce Klein - Swimming and Diving
Jordan Wyatt - Football
Female Nominees
Tochi Nlemchi - Track & Field - Winner
Kiara Perry - Basketball
Vanessa Valadez - Soccer
Adrienn Santa - Swimming and Diving
Katie Hegarty - Volleyball
Liza Buss - Tennis
Best Dressed
Presented to the male and female Student-Athlete whose peers believe they dressed to impress for the 2018 Pony Awards.
Kevin Johnson - Football
Claire Oates - Women's Soccer
Red and Blue Award
Presented to the male and female Student-Athlete who exhibits the greatest passion and dedication to SMU Athletics. These individuals bleed red and blue and represent SMU in all they do.
Male Nominees
Gardiner Perotti - Tennis - Winner
Jarrey Foster - Basketball
Bryce Clark - Soccer
Nathan Ciatti - Swimming and Diving
Ben Baxter - Golf
Evan Brown - Football
Female Nominees
Gel Greene - Rowing - Winner
Morgan Smith - Basketball
Robin Montemayor - Track & Field
Madison Steed - Equestrian
Haley Thompson - Soccer
Kendall Patterson - Volleyball
El Yellin - Swimming and Diving
Brigitte Dunne - Golf
Newcomer of the Year
Presented to the freshman or first-year transfer male and female Student-Athlete whose presence at SMU has made an immediate impact in their sport.
Male Nominees
Talen Maples - Soccer - Winner
Jahmal McMurray - Basketball
McClure Meissner - Golf
Trey Kilbride - Swimming and Diving
Trey Quinn - Football
Female Nominees
Andrea Podmanikova - Swimming and Diving - Winner
Cassie Ackemann - Track & Field
Kirsten Ostling - Equestrian
Juliet Traylor - Rowing
Isabelle Nashmi - Soccer
Meryn Kennedy - Volleyball
Kennedy Pedigo - Golf
Ariana Whitfield - Basketball
Student-Athlete of the Year Award
Presented to the male and female Student-Athlete who have achieved a high level of success in the competitive arena while maintaining good academic standing. This award recognizes a team leader whose performance impacts the collective ability of their teammates and brings a positive image to SMU.
Male Nominees
Mauro Cichero - Soccer - Winner
Shake Milton - Basketball
McClure Meissner - Golf
Jonathan Gomez - Swimming and Diving
Courtland Sutton - Football
Female Nominees
Matea Samardzic - Women's Swimming and Diving - Winner
Claire Oates - Soccer
Lauren Mills - Volleyball
McKenzie Adams - Basketball
LaTessa Johnson - Track & Field
Nora Gray - Equestrian
Savannah Moody - Rowing
Brigitte Dunne - Golf
Athletic Director's S.P.I.R.I.T. Award
The most prestigious honor bestowed upon student-athletes. This award honors a male and female Student-Athlete who are an inspiration to others, giving unselfishly of their time and talents for the betterment of the team. They epitomize the values of Service, Passion, Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Teamwork.
Male Nominees
Justin Lawler - Football - Winner
Ben Emelogu II - Basketball
Jordan Cano - Soccer
Ben Baxter - Golf
Tristan Hejny - Swimming & Diving
Female Nominees
Claire Oates - Soccer - Winner
El Yellin - Swimming and Diving
Katie Hegarty - Volleyball
MaKenzie Ellis - Basketball
Emily Fogg - Rowing
Hannah Miller - Track & Field
Keagan Snively - Equestrian
