CPEVC Kletzer presents Brecken Theders with the Most Inspirational Award
UC Santa Cruz closes out school year with annual Awards Ceremony
6/4/2022 12:00:00 AM | General, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Men's Track and Field, Men's Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Swim and Dive, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Women's Soccer, Men's Swim and Dive
Share:
The UC Santa Cruz Department of Athletics of Recreation held their annual year-end Student Athlete & Alumni Awards Ceremony on Friday afternoon. Held at the West Field House, over 300 student-athletes, department staff and University dignitaries gathered to celebrate the school's athletic accomplishments from the 2021-22 school year.
Â
"I want to thank all of those who made tonight happen," said Sydne Stacker, the Assistant Athletic Director for Operations, who spoke on behalf of Director of Athletics and Recreation Susan Harriman in the opening remarks. "As we celebrate you student-athletes this evening, we'd be remiss if we did not recognize and celebrate those who came before you. Take a moment and look around this gymnasium and think about your experience as a student-athlete. Think about what's next. Think about, as a Banana Slug, what the future holds for you, your teammates, classmates, friends, families and fans."
Â
The Awards Ceremony opened with a Welcome video from University Chancellor Cynthia Larive, followed by a video segment to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Measure 68, the funding referendum which ensured Banana Slug athletics through 2042. Former soccer player Kayla McCord (Class of 2018) was in attendance and was honored for her work five years ago to help pass the measure. Basketball alumnus Paul Simpson (Class of 1999) and soccer alumnus Luke Pfeiffer (Class of 2018) were also honored for their tireless work in getting the referendum passed.
Master of Ceremony, Senior Associate Athletic Director Dino Pollock acknowledged the hard work of the 45 graduating student-athlete seniors.
"I want to give honor and recognition to the Class of 2022," Pollock said. "Our people who have put in four or more years of toil, sweat, blood, and tears through COVIDÂ and through fires."
Â
Thirty-five upperclassmen were honored by Faculty Athletics Representative, distinguished professor of astronomy and astrophysics, Dr. J. Xavier Prochaska for having GPAs of 3.75 or above, with men's tennis and women's tennis taking home honors for the Highest Team GPA . Junior Rahul Iyer of men's tennis and sophomore Surina Beal of women's basketball won their respective Top Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards.
Associate Athletic Director Clint Angus highlighted the numerous team and individual records set by Banana Slug student-athletes this school year. "I don't know about you, but hearing all these records broken makes me hungry for more broken records from more Banana Slugs," Angus said. Â Â
Â
Â
Pollock took the microphone again to give thanks to the Sports Medicine staff (Prim Pisares, Carly Reilly, Stephanie Raudenbush, Brady Och, Tahmineh Tolentino for their hard work over the year. The main individual awards for student-athletes were presented for Most Inspirational, Male and Female Newcomer of the Year, and Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award. Sophomore Brecken Theders of women's swimming won the Most Inspirational Athlete award in a vote of the head coaches, which was followed by a congratulatory video message from head coach Matt Crawford.
"Brecken absolutely embodies the characteristics of this award," said Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Kletzer who presented the award. "For her exceptional perseverance, her athletic prowess, and being an overall great teammate." Then, Athletics and Recreation's Business Manager Cristen Babik presented the last four awards. Junior Colton Jeffrey of men's volleyball and freshman Payton Cichowski of women's soccer won the Male and Female Newcomer of the Year awards. Junior Eric Jackson of Cross Country won the Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award, while women's volleyball senior All-American Claire Okerlund was named Female Student Athlete of the Year.
Lastly, the ceremony ended with outgoing SAAC co-presidents Ashley Kowack (Women's Basketball) and Matthew Minshall  (Swim and Dive) introducing next year's SAAC leadership and presenting a video marking the debut of the new look Sammy the Slug mascot.
The day was an amazing effort from the entire Department working together, from the Planning Committee of golf head coach Paulette Pera, Stacker, Women's tennis coach AJ Jensen and Track and Field head coach David Klech, to Senior Woman Administrator Courtnie Prather who wonderfully served as DJ, to Marketing Team student members Sullivan "Sully" Gaudreault, Josie Taylor and Vivi Raker who took pictures of the event and produced the video packages.Â
  
  
