SMU Athletics held its annual Pony Awards on Sunday night at McFarlin Auditorium, bringing student-athletes together for their end-of-the-year award ceremony. Select Mustangs earned recognition for their contributions to their teams through academics, leadership, service, and standout athletics throughout the 2024-2025 seasons.
The most prestigious honor, the Athletic Director's S.P.I.R.I.T. Award, was presented to
Jonathan McGill from Football and
Nya Kearns from Equestrian for representing the Mustangs' values of Service, Passion, Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Teamwork in their sport, school and community.
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 2024.
Winners
Men's Tennis
Cross Country
Catalyst Award: This award honors a remarkable student-athlete who works hard to improve their community. Their dedication not only brings positive change but also inspires others to get involved and make a difference. By celebrating this outstanding individual, we highlight how sports can bring people together regardless of their backgrounds. Their efforts show that anyone can create a positive impact, encouraging teamwork and unity among diverse groups. This recognition reminds us that sports are not just about competition; they can also be a powerful tool for building connections and fostering kindness.
Nominees
Raelyn Roberson - Track & Field
Kobe Wilson - Football
Camryn McPhaul - Track & Field
Student-Athlete Choice Award: Presented to the student-athlete whose peers believe they serve as an outstanding role model for the community.
Nominees
Sage Sungail - Men's Swimming & Diving
Jerry Barton - Men's Tennis
Chalyce Head – Equestrian
Haven Empey – Women's Soccer
Rachel Anderson – Women's Swimming & Diving
Abi Smith - Rowing
Agne Kubaityte – Rowing
Avery Bethel - Rowing
Eli Susser - Men's Tennis
Elli Yeager - Equestrian
Freya Weiser – Rowing
Grayson Douglas - Equestrian
Hailey Johns - Equestrian
Hali Hartman – Women's Soccer
Izie Murray - Rowing
Jentry Lamirand – Volleyball
Joe Rusnock – Men's Swimming & Diving
Kevin Jennings - Football
Kirin Chacchia - Track & Field
Lauren Bilafer - Rowing
Mackenzie Lee – Women's Golf
Nya Robertson – Women's Basketball
Richard Garcia - Men's Soccer
Sophia Dooley - Rowing
TK Pitts – Women's Basketball
Individual and Team Community: This award is presented to the student-athlete and team whose community involvement has made outstanding contributions in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion in the Dallas and SMU communities.
Winner: Equestrian
2nd Place: Women's Basketball
3rd Place: Women's Golf
4th Place: Football
5th Place: Women's Soccer
Individual Nominees
Raelyn Roberson - Track & Field
Alexander Kilgore - Football
Brianna Merklin – Equestrian
Ellie Grammas – Cross Country / Track & Field
Ava Peck - Equestrian
Perseverance Award: Presented to the male and female student-athletes who have demonstrated an exceptional degree of determination in overcoming personal, medical and/or academic obstacles while maintaining good academic standing.
Female Nominees
Jessica Peterson – Basketball
Raelyn Roberson – Track & Field
Emma Engel - Equestrian
Celine Chen - Golf
Ellie Lewis - Rowing
Kelly Gordon - Soccer
Rachel Anderson – Swimming & Diving
Jamison Wheeler – Volleyball
Male Nominees
B.J. Edwards - Basketball
Brandon Crossley – Football
Cesar Ruvalcaba – Soccer
Lance Butler – Swimming & Diving
Eric Hadigian - Tennis
Sportsmanship Award: Presented to the male and female student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship in the competitive arena.
Female Nominees
Chantae Embry – Basketball
Emily Waller – Cross Country / Track & Field
Augusta Iwasaki – Equestrian
Josephine Wilson - Rowing
Abby Hampton - Soccer
Summer Osborne – Swimming & Diving
Jentry Lamirand – Volleyball
Ava Peck - Equestrian
Brooke Frazier - Volleyball
Hali Hartman - Soccer
Jamison Wheeler – Volleyball
Kaitlyn Gearin – Cross Country / Track & Field
Mayu Inokawa – Soccer
Male Nominees
Tibet Görener – Basketball
Jeffrey Koch – Soccer
Rob McCall – Swimming & Diving
Jerry Barton - Tennis
Enrique Dimayuga – Golf
Eric Stelmar – Swimming & Diving
Jack Hoagland – Swimming & Diving
Jack Moore – Swimming & Diving
Justin Osborne – Football
Laszlo Galicz – Swimming & Diving
Richard Garcia - Soccer
Red & Blue Award: Presented to the male and female student-athletes who exhibit the greatest passion and spirit to SMU Athletics. These individuals bleed red and blue and represent SMU in all they do. (Intended for a student-athlete who has gone above and beyond in supporting other student-athletes and the department.)
Female Nominees
Hailey Johns – Equestrian
Isabella Krantzcke – Swimming & Diving
Celia Cullen – Volleyball
Haven Empey – Soccer
Gabriella Ayiteyfio – Track & Field
Raelyn Roberson – Track & Field
Male Nominees
Angus Corbeau - Swimming & Diving
Lance Butler - Swimming & Diving
Kevin Jennings – Football
Brashard Smith – Football
Oliver Knotek – Soccer
Newcomer of the Year Award: Presented to the first-year transfer male and female student-athletes whose presence at SMU has made an immediate impact in their sport.
Female Nominees
Ella Brow – Basketball
Leoni Mierswa - Cross Country / Track & Field
Nya Kearns – Equestrian
Mackenzie Lee – Golf
Grace Knudson – Rowinga
Nyah Rose – Soccer
Tiffanie Ruan – Swimming & Diving
Drew Morris – Tennis
Naya Shime – Volleyball
Male Nominees
Matt Cross – Basketball
Brashard Smith – Football
Enrique Dimayuga – Golf
Daniel Escorcia – Soccer
Jack Berube – Swimming & Diving
Freshman of the Year Award: Presented to the freshman male and female student-athletes whose presence at SMU has made an immediate impact in their sport.
Female Nominees
Kayanna Cox – Basketball
Kelis Jules – Track & Field
Sara Filiatreau – Equestrian
Agne Kubaityte – Rowing
Lydia Ungashick – Soccer
Teia Salvino – Swimming & Diving
Sophie Llewellyn - Tennis
Natalia Newsome – Volleyball
Male Nominees
Samet Yiğitoğlu - Basketball
Derrick McFall - Football
Ryan Clanton-Pimentel – Soccer
Luke Sitz – Swimming & Diving
Georgi Georgiev – Tennis
Student-Athlete of the Year Award: Presented to the male and female student-athletes 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.
Female Nominees
Nya Robertson - Basketball
Emily Little – Cross Country / Track & Field
Abi Smith – Rowing
Sierra Cota-Yarde – Soccer
Maddy Parker – Swimming & Diving
Arianna Stavropoulos - Tennis
Maya Tabron – Volleyball
Male Nominees
Boopie Miller – Basketball
Kevin Jennings – Football
Will Sides – Golf
Bailey Sparks – Soccer
Trevor Svajda – Tennis
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.
Female Nominees
TK Pitts – Basketball
Nya Kearns – Equestrian
Paige Horton – Rowing
Mackenzie Rudden – Soccer
Lauren Priest – Swimming & Diving
Drew Morris – Tennis
Celia Cullen – Volleyball
Male Nominees
Keon Ambrose-Hylton - Basketball
Kobe Wilson – Football
Jonathan McGill – Football
Martin Dominguez – Soccer
