By: Jonathan Glass | Director of Athletic Communications
SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo Athletics honored the outstanding performances of the past 12 months, while paying tribute to the University's core values at the annual Green and Gold Awards celebration, held Tuesday night at the Saint Leo University Wellness Center.
The student-athletes recognized were from the Spring 2024, Fall 2024, and Winter 2024-25 teams. Student-athletes currently in season on Spring 2025 teams will be recognized at the 2026 Green and Gold Awards.
Award recipients for 2025 were:
Chi Alpha Sigma Inductees (Student-Athlete National Honor Society)
Murphy Allard, Men's Golf
Sydney Brown, Women's Lacrosse
Marina Dean, Women's Lacrosse
Alanis Diaz, Women's Basketball
Caroline Dillon, Women's Lacrosse
Emily Edwards, Women's Soccer
Meredith Eitel, Women's Lacrosse
Ana Valentina-Guarderas, Women's Golf
Jessica Harclerode, Women's Lacrosse
Emma Hayhurst, Women's Lacrosse
Katherine Kirkwood, Acrobatics & Tumbling
Jana Nuss, Women's Lacrosse
Maria Palomba, Women's Lacrosse
Parker Surace, Women's Lacrosse
Sophia Wood, Women's Lacrosse
The Dr. Arthur F Kirk Scholarship:
Kaelyn Burns, Acrobatics & Tumbling
Jakai Davis, Men's Basketball
Lions Academic Excellence Award:
Women's Lacrosse (Spring 2024)
Scholar Athlete of the Year:
Female: Kristina Arwady, Women's Soccer
Male: Francois Cilliers, Men's Golf
Faculty Member of the Year:
Dr. Kim Payne
Heart of a Lion:
Spencer Bronner, Acrobatics & Tumbling
Olivia Purdy, Women's Lacrosse
Staff Member of the Year:
Jessica Myers, Director of Sports Medicine
Coach of the Year:
Yang Lee, Tennis
One Pride Award:
Manuela Henao Coca, Women's Cross Country
Iron Lion Award*:
Female: Amel Salman, Softball
Male: Jake Carrillo, Baseball
Comeback Athlete of the Year^:
Female: Sheila Rodriguez, Volleyball
Male: no nominees
Newcomer of the Year:
Female: Alexis Barber, Softball
Male: Jaylan McElroy, Men's Basketball
Program of the Year:
Women's Golf (Spring 2024)
Miss Saint Leo:
Luzia Obermeier, Women's Tennis
Mr. Saint Leo:
Francios Cilliers, Men's Golf
Cheerleader of the Year:
Madison Sanchez
Dancer of the Year:
Vashti Rolle
* Iron Lion Award is presented to one (1) female and one (1) male student-athlete who have shown the greatest dedication and improvement in the weight room as chosen by the Strength & Conditioning staff
^ Comeback Athlete of the Year Award is presented to the individual who has demonstrated the most strength, hard work, and determination to overcome adversity and/or injury as chosen by the sports medicine staff
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