Pony Awards

Gallery: (5/5/2019) 2019 Pony Awards

The Student-Athlete Awards & Recognition Banquet is the marquee social-celebratory event for the Department of Athletics. Created in 2011 by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Athletics Administration, this evening was established to showcase the many accomplishments of our SMU Student-Athletes. The event serves to unite all students, administrators, faculty and staff involved in Mustang Athletics.

History

Awards and Recognition (Some awards not given annually)

Highest Team GPA
- Presented to a male and female sport in recognition of the highest team GPA for the spring and fall semesters.
Most Improved Team GPA
- An annual award in honor of the team with the most improved GPA for the spring and fall semesters.
Athletic Directors Honor Roll
- Awarded to all student-athletes who have attained at least a 3.0 GPA over the spring and fall semesters.
Academic Momentum Award
- Recognizes a male or female student-athlete who persevered on the quest for academic success.
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.
University In Service Award
- Presented to the student-athlete whose community activities and involvement have made outstanding contributions and raised awareness to the SMU and Dallas communities in the areas of human rights, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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.
Student-Athlete Choice Award
- Presented to the student-athlete whose peers believe they serve as an outstanding role model for the community.
Sportsmanship Award
- Presented to the male and female student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship in the competitive arena.
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.
Best Dressed
- Presented to the male and female student-athlete whose peers believe they dressed to impress for the 20XX Pony Awards.
Red and 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.)
Newcomer of the Year
- Presented to the first-year transfer male and female student-athletes whose presence at SMU has made an immediate impact in their sport.
Freshman of the Year
- Presented to the freshman male and female student-athletes whose presence at SMU has made an immediate impact in their sport.
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. (Intended to recognize a student-athlete who has primarily excelled in the competitive arena over the past year or throughout their last season.)
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 is 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. (Intended to recognize a student-athlete's dedication to the values of S.P.I.R.I.T. over the course of their entire SMU career.)

Pony Awards Honorees

Highest Team GPA - Female
2010-11 Women’s Tennis
2011-12 Cross Country
2012-13 Cross Country
2013-14 Women’s Tennis
2014-15 Women’s Swimming & Diving
2015-16 Women’s Golf
2016-17 Women’s Swimming & Diving
2017-18 Women’s Swimming & Diving
2018-19 Cross Country
2019-20 Cross Country
2020-21 Cross Country
2021-22 Cross Country
2022-23 Cross Country
2023-24 Cross Country
2024-25 Cross Country

Highest Team GPA - Male
2010-11 Men’s Tennis
2011-12 Men’s Golf
2012-13 Men’s Tennis
2013-14 Men’s Tennis
2014-15 Men’s Golf
2015-16 Men’s Swimming & Diving
2016-17 Men’s Soccer
2017-18 Men’s Soccer
2018-19 Men’s Golf
2019-20 Men’s Golf
2020-21 Men’s Swimming & Diving
2021-22 Men's Swimming & Diving
2022-23 Men’s Tennis
2023-24 Men's Tennis
2024-25 Men's Tennis

Most Improved Team GPA
2010-11 Men’s Basketball
2011-12 Volleyball
2012-13 Women’s Basketball
2013-14 Rowing
2014-15 Women’s Golf
2015-16 Men’s Soccer
2016-17 Men’s Basketball
2017-18 Women’s Basketball
2018-19 Women’s Basketball
2019-20 Men’s Swimming & Diving
2020-21 Women’s Golf
2021-22 N/A
2022-23 N/A
2023-24 N/A

Academic Momentum Award – Female
2010-11 Petya Kertikova – Track & Field
2011-12 Monika Korra – Cross Country/Track & Field
2012-13 Courtney Manning – Volleyball
2013-14 Alice McCall – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2014-15 Shahira Ehiemua – Track & Field

Academic Momentum Award - Male
2010-11 Mike Walker – Men’s Basketball
2011-12 Chris Banjo – Football
2012-13 Der’rikk Thompson – Football
2013-14 Ryan Manuel – Men’s Basketball
2014-15 K.C. Nlemchi – Football

Academic Momentum Award
2015-16 Jordan Tolbert – Men’s Basketball
2016-17 Darrion Millines – Football
2017-18 Kevin Johnson – Football
2018-19 Delontae Scott – Football
2019-20 Noah Spears – Football
2020-21 Jewel Boland – Women’s Soccer
2021-22 Brandon Crossley – Football
2022-23 Valentina Becerra - Women’s Swimming & Diving / Alice Fahey - Rowing

Sportsmanship Award – Female
2010-11 Kellie Becerra – Volleyball
2011-12 Liz Wells – Women’s Golf
2012-13 Kenzie Scovill – Women’s Soccer
2013-14 Caroline Daly – Volleyball
2014-15 Carla Armstrong – Volleyball
2015-16 Lucija Cvitanovic – Track & Field
2016-17 Agnes Sjostrom – Cross Country/Track & Field
2017-18 Holly Lansidel – Equestrian
2018-19 Katie Brown – Women’s Soccer
2019-20 Kendall Patterson – Volleyball
2020-21 Johanna Holloway – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2021-22 Olivia Woodson – Equestrian
2022-23 Sasha Radovanovic - Rowing
2023-24 Celia Cullen - Volleyball
2024-25 Raelyn Roberson

Sportsmanship Award – Male
2010-11 Adham el-Effendi – Men’s Tennis
2011-12 Chris Banjo – Football
2012-13 Ben Hill – Men’s Soccer
2013-14 Shawn Williams – Men’s Basketball
2014-15 Stephen Nelson – Football
2015-16 Nate Lammons – Men’s Tennis
2016-17 Ben Moore – Men’s Basketball
2017-18 Gray Townsend – Men’s Golf
2018-19 Christian Boorom – Men’s Soccer
2019-20 Phillip Ponder – Men’s Soccer
2020-21 Patrick Michael Hillyard – Men’s Soccer
2021-22 Timo Hummrich – Men's Soccer
2022-23 Nathan Petronzio - Golf
2023-24 Knobel Hunt - Men's Soccer
2024-25 Jerry Barton - Men's Tennis

Perseverance Award – Female
2010-11 Monika Korra – Cross Country/Track & Field
2011-12 Christine Elliott – Women’s Basketball
2012-13 Courtney Smith – Women’s Soccer
2013-14 Holly Archer – Cross Country/Track & Field
2014-15 Shelby Redman – Women’s Soccer
2015-16 Shannon Moroney – Women’s Soccer
2016-17 Anna Novosadova – Track & Field
2017-18 Tochi Nlemchi – Track & Field
2018-19 Katina Tsapos – Women’s Soccer
2019-20 Ariana Whitfield – Women’s Basketball
2020-21 Victoria Franklin – Rowing
2021-22 Tatum Sutherland – Women's Soccer
2022-23 Samantha Estrada - Women's Soccer
2023-24 Jaclynn Flower - Women's Swimming & Diving
2024-25 Jamison Wheeler - Volleyball

Perseverance Award – Male
2010-11 Tom Cole – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2011-12 Richard Cornelius – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2012-13 Nicolai Hansen – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2013-14 Arturs Kazijevs – Men’s Tennis
2014-15 Damian Rosales – Men’s Soccer
2015-16 Garrett Krstich – Football
2016-17 Abdul Yassine – Men’s Soccer
2017-18 Michael Nelson – Men’s Soccer
2018-19 Kyran Mitchell – Football
2019-20 James Proche – Football
2020-21 Reggie Roberson Jr. – Football
2021-22 Papa Ndoye – Men's Soccer
2022-23 Tyler Lavine - Football
2023-24 Chris Mykkanen - Men's Swimming & Diving
2024-25 Cesar Ruvalcaba - Men's Soccer

Red & Blue Award – Female
2010-11 Therese Svendsen – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2011-12 Denisa Smolenova – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2012-13 Courtney Line – Equestrian
2013-14 Caitlin Keen – Cross Country/Track & Field
2014-15 Elizabeth Krane – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2015-16 Alex Celli – Women’s Golf
2016-17 Morgan Bolton – Women’s Basketball
2017-18 Gel Greene - Rowing
2018-19 El Yellin – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2019-20 Mary Elizabeth Cordia – Equestrian
2020-21 Madigan Eppink – Equestrian
2021-22 Sam Estrada – Women's Soccer
2022-23 Annabelle Corcoran - Women’s Swimming & Diving
2023-24 Raelyn Roberson - Track & Field
2024-25 Gabriella Ayiteyfio - Track & Field

Red & Blue Award – Male
2010-11 Kelvin Beachum, Jr. – Football
2011-12 Kelvin Beachum, Jr. – Football
2012-13 Stephon Sanders – Football
2013-14 Pablo Lara – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2014-15 Pablo Lara – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2015-16 Courtland Sutton – Football
2016-17 Ben Baxter – Men’s Golf
2017-18 Gardiner Perotti – Men’s Tennis
2018-19 Nathan Ciatti – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2019-20 Demerick Gary – Football
2020-21 Justin Thompson – Men’s Golf
2021-22 Zach Nutall – Men's Basketball
2022-23 Cole Fleming - Men’s Swimming & Diving
2023-24 Brandon Crossley - Football
2024-25 Kevin Jennings - Football

Newcomer of the Year Award – Female
2010-11 Nina Rangelova – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2011-12 Rachel Nicol – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2012-13 Keena Mays – Women’s Basketball
2013-14 Marne Erasmus – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2014-15 Isabella Martin – Track & Field
2015-16 McKenzie Adams – Women’s Basketball
2016-17 Kendall Patterson – Volleyball
2017-18 Andrea Podmanikova – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2018-19 Courtney Sebazco – Women’s Soccer
2019-20 Jackie Nylander – Women’s Tennis
2020-21 Nya Kearns – Equestrian
2021-22 Savannah Wilkinson – Women's Basketball
2022-23 Ellie Szeryk - Women's Golf
2023-24 Emily Odwin - Women's Golf
2024-25 Emily Little - Cross Country / Track & Field

Newcomer of the Year Award – Male
2010-11 Juan Castillo – Men’s Soccer
2011-12 Devin Burnett – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2012-13 Bryson DeChambeau – Men’s Golf
2013-14 Ben Moore – Men’s Basketball
2014-15 Christian Scherubl – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2015-16 Emil Cuello – Men’s Soccer
2016-17 Jonathan Gomez – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2017-18 Talen Maples – Men’s Soccer
2018-19 Parker Hardigree – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2019-20 Shane Buechele – Football
2020-21 Nathan Petronzio – Men’s Golf
2021-22 Tanner Mordecai – Football
2022-23 Samuell Williamson - Football
2023-24 Jelldrik Dallmann - Men's Soccer
2024-25 Brashard Smith - Football

Freshman of the Year Award – Female
2021-22 Kaitlyn Gearin – Cross Country/Track & Field
2022-23 Augusta Iwasaki - Equestrian
2023-24 Nyah Rose - Women's Soccer
2024-25 Kelis Jules - Track & Field

Freshman of the Year Award – Male
2021-22 Cotton Fields – Men's Swimming & Diving
2022-23 Alexander Petraeus - Men’s Soccer
2023-24 Niv Berkovitz - Men's Soccer
2024-25 Luke Sitz - Men's Swimming & Diving

Student-Athlete of the Year Award – Female
2010-11 Simone Du Toit – Track & Field
2011-12 Silje Fjortoft – Cross Country/Track & Field
2012-13 Alisha Filmore – Women’s Basketball
2013-14 Keena Mays – Women’s Basketball
2014-15 Isabella Arcila – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2015-16 Avery Acker – Volleyball
2016-17 Morgan Heise – Volleyball
2017-18 Matea Samardzic – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2018-19 Erin Trahan – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2019-20 Erin Trahan – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2020-21 Aubrey Alderman – Equestrian
2021-22 Juliet Traylor – Rowing
2022-23 Yunxuan (Michelle) Zhang - Women’s Golf
2023-24 Nya Kearns - Equestrian
2024-25 Mackenzie Lee - Women's Golf

Student-Athlete of the Year Award – Male
2010-11 Pete Fleps – Football
2011-12 Diogo de Almeida – Men’s Soccer
2012-13 Mindaugas Sadauskas – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2013-14 Garrett Gilbert – Football
2014-15 Nic Moore – Men’s Basketball
2015-16 Nic Moore – Men’s Basketball
2016-17 Semi Ojeleye – Men’s Basketball
2017-18 Mauro Cichero – Men’s Soccer
2018-19 James Proche – Football
2019-20 Mac Meissner – Men’s Golf
2020-21 Caleb Rhodenbaugh – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2021-22 Parker Hardigree – Men's Swimming & Diving
2022-23 Knut Ahlander - Men’s Soccer
2023-24 Jack Hoagland - Men's Swimming & Diving
2024-25 Bailey Sparks - Men's Soccer

Athletic Director's S.P.I.R.I.T. Award – Female
2010-11 Kelli Becerra – Volleyball
2011-12 Katie Jones – Equestrian
2012-13 Lauryn Bodden – Women’s Soccer
2013-14 Taylor Robinson – Women’s Soccer
2014-15 Hanna Axene – Rowing
2015-16 Koroline Skatteboe – Cross Country/Track & Field
2016-17 Holly Archer – Cross Country/Track & Field
2017-18 Claire Oates – Women’s Soccer
2018-19 Nora Gray – Equestrian
2019-20 Holly Lansidel – Equestrian
2020-21 Ashton Woods – Track & Field
2021-22 Katherine Jakeway – Women's Tennis
2022-23 Jasmine Smith - Women’s Basketball
2023-24 Alex Glover - Volleyball
2024-25 Nya Kearns - Equestrian

Athletic Director's S.P.I.R.I.T. Award – Male
2010-11 Kelvin Beachum, Jr. – Football
2011-12 Joe Cooper – Men’s Soccer
2012-13 Fernando Lara – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2013-14 Jamie Ibarra – Men’s Soccer
2014-15 Ryan Manuel – Men’s Basketball
2015-16 Bryson DeChambeau – Men’s Golf
2016-17 Courtland Sutton – Football
2017-18 Justin Lawler – Football
2018-19 Jarrey Foster – Men’s Basketball
2019-20 Eddie Munjoma – Men’s Soccer
2020-21 Shane Buechele – Football
2021-22 Hayden Howerton – Football
2022-23 Zach Nutall - Men’s Basketball
2023-24 Tyler Lavine - Football
2024-25 Jonathan McGill - Football

Unity In Service Award
2020-21 RaSun Kazadi - Football
2021-22 Jewel Boland – Women's Soccer
2022-23 Terrance Newman - Football

Community Impact Award - Team
2023-24 Women's Soccer

Community Impact Award - Individual
2023-24 Mya VanderHagen - Women's Swimming & Diving

Presidential Award of Excellence
2010-11 Audra Egenolf – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2011-12 N/A
2012-13 Mary Alenbratt – Cross Country/Track & Field
2013-14 Maria Elena Villamil – Women’s Golf
2014-15 Caroline Young – Volleyball
2015-16 N/A
2016-17 N/A
2017-18 Bryce Clark – Men’s Soccer
2018-19 Emily Fogg – Rowing
2019-20 Hannah Miller – Cross Country/Track & Field
2020-21 Mac Meissner – Men’s Golf
2021-22 Connor Dalbo – Men's Swimming & Diving
2022-23 Courtney Sebazco - Women’s Soccer
2023-24 Adam Neff - Men's Tennis
2024-25 Grace Knudson - Rowing

Catalyst Award
2023-24 Bryce McMorris - Football
2024-25 Kobe Wilson - Football

M Award
2010-11 Kelvin Beachum, Jr. – Football

FCA Faithful Service Award – Female
2012-13 Rachelle Schelhass – Rowing
2013-14 Courtney Smith – Women’s Soccer
2014-15 Chantelle Conley – Rowing
2015-16 Janelle Giordano – Volleyball
2016-17 Gel Greene – Rowing
2017-18 El Yellin – Women’s Swimming & Diving

FCA Faithful Service Award – Male
2012-13 Blake McJunkin – Football
2013-14 Ben Hughes – Football
2014-15 Cameron Smith – Football
2015-16 Jeremiah Gaines – Football
2016-17 Justin Bertelsman – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2017-18 Justin Bertelsman – Men’s Swimming & Diving

Student-Athlete Choice Award
2016-17 Bryce Klein – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2017-18 Jonathan Gomez – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2018-19 Montana Watts – Volleyball
2021-22 Jack Easton – Men's Swimming & Diving
2022-23 Adam Neff - Men's Tennis
2023-24 Raelyn Roberson - Track & Field
2024-25 Jerry Barton - Men's Tennis

Best Dressed Award - Female
2017-18 Claire Oates – Women’s Soccer
2018-19 Madigan Eppink - Equestrian
2019-20 N/A (Virtual)
2020-21 N/A (Virtual)
2021-22 Hannah Jacobs – Volleyball
2022-23 TK Pitts - Women’s Basketball
2024-25 Nea Sanders - Track & Field

Best Dressed Award - Male
2017-18 Kevin Johnson – Football
2018-19 DJ Williams – Men’s Soccer
2021-22 Carter Link – Football
2022-23 Jackson Young Men’s Basketball
2023-24 Kyran Pinho - Men's Soccer
2024-25 Cameron Thompson - Men's Swimming & Diving

Meyer Brothers Academic Award - Female
2010-11 Lauren Lieberman – Equestrian
2011-12 Courtney Webb – Women’s Soccer
2012-13 Emily Carstens – Rowing
2013-14 Jordan Newman – Women’s Swimming & Diving
2014-15 Avery Acker – Volleyball
2015-16 Abbey Bybel – Volleyball
2016-17 Taylor Barg – Women’s Soccer
2023-24 Maykayla Jackson - Track & Field

Meyer Brothers Academic Award - Male
2010-11 Darren Walsh – Men’s Tennis
2011-12 Richard Cornelius – Men’s Swimming & Diving
2012-13 Will Smith – Men’s Soccer
2013-14 Mischa Nowicki – Men’s Tennis
2014-15 Cameron Smith – Football
2015-16 Michael Nelson – Men’s Soccer
2016-17 Andrew Buchanan – Men’s Golf