SAINT LEO, Fla. – On Monday, April 20, the Saint Leo University athletic department named student-athletes Emma Laade & Paula Perez Rosales (beach volleyball) and Greg Palmer (men's lacrosse) as the Jimmy John's Lions of the Week. The award is recognizing these student-athletes for their performances from April 14-19.

Laade and Perez Rosales made history for Saint Leo at the 2026 AVCA Small College Beach Volleyball Championships. Laade went 4-0 at the top pair during pool play to help the Lions advance to the Gold Bracket, while Perez Rosales delivered a key win in Saint Leo's comeback victory over Colorado Mesa to clinch a chance to compete for a national title. Though not partners, the duo became the first Lions in program history to earn All-America honors. Perez Rosales is the first Lion to earn Jimmy John's Lion of the Week honors in different sports as she earned the recognition on Nov. 17 for indoor volleyball.

Palmer delivered in the biggest moments for Saint Leo, totaling five goals and one assist across two wins last week. Palmer helped power the Lions to a regular season finale win at Lynn before scoring the game-tying goal with 2:46 remaining in regulation and assisting on the overtime game-winner in a first-round Sunshine State Conference Championship victory over Embry-Riddle as Saint Leo advanced to the semifinals.

For the 2025–26 season, Saint Leo University Athletics is proud to partner with Jimmy John's to present a new weekly award recognizing student-athletes. The award will recognize athletic competition held from Monday to Sunday. 

Since launching in 1983 in Charleston, Illinois, with just a $25,000 loan from his father, Jimmy John Liautaud built his modest sandwich shop into the national chain known for its "Freaky Fast" delivery and fresh-baked bread. Over the years, the brand expanded rapidly, surpassing 2,600 locations nationwide by 2025 and even venturing internationally with openings in Seoul, Toronto, and Dubai. In 2019, Jimmy John's became part of Inspire Brands, the restaurant group that also owns Arby's, Dunkin' Donuts, and more.

Week-by-Week Winners
2025-26 Jimmy John's Lion of the Week
Sept. 8: Jorge Perez (MSOC); Chloe Froese (WSOC)
Sept. 15: Paul Rivera (MXC); Skye Dias (WSOC)
Sept. 22: Ben Morland (MGOLF); Brielle Kallberg (VB)
Sept. 29: Anel Rojas (MSOC); Maria Jaime (WGOLF)
Oct. 6: Jose David Segovia & Kodai Kato (MTEN); Rachel Jarrett (WXC)
Oct. 13: Dylan Andrianaly (MTEN); Rachel Jarrett (WXC)
Oct. 20: Enzo Barbaglia (MGOLF); McKenzee Sullivan (WGOLF)
Oct. 28: Adam Yousfi (MSOC); Iza Stahlevi (WGOLF)
Nov. 3: Roberto Iguala (MSOC); Mia Moser (VB)
Nov. 10: James Knudson (MSOC); Molly Chappell (VB)
Nov. 17: Camden Cerese (MBB); Paula Perez Rosales (VB)
Nov. 24: Donovan Hill (MBB); Zoe O'Leary (WBB)
Dec. 1: Elijah Harris (MBB); Amy Duggan (WBB)
Dec. 8: Owen Pawlikowski (MBB); Jailenn Green (WBB)
Dec. 15: Jayden Johnson (MBB); Zoe O'Leary (WBB)
Dec. 22: Donovan Hill (MBB); Olivia Agunzo (WBB)
Jan. 5: Luther Smith Jr. (MBB); Jocelyn Gagnon (WBB)
Jan. 12: Dominic Commisso (MBB); Olivia Agunzo (WBB)
Jan. 18: Matt Ansah (MBB); Jailenn Green (WBB)
Jan. 26: Jordan So (MTF); Olivia Agunzo (WBB)
Feb. 2: Jordan Ruggierello (MBB); Tierney Hocquard (SB)
Feb. 9: Greg Palmer (MLAX); Olivia Agunzo (WBB)
Feb. 16: Flynn Howard (BSB); Holly Hill (WLAX)
Feb. 23: Fred Filsaime (MTF); Isabella Gebinine (WLAX)
March 2: Kodai Kato (MTEN); Abigail Hynes (SB)
March 9: Andrew Graham (MLAX); Chloe Hocquard (SB)
March 16: Abrhan Rios (BSB); Jana Nuss (WLAX)
March 23: Kodai Kato (MTEN); Dackjerlin Senior Feliz (WTF)
March 30: Flynn Howard (BSB); Holly Hill (WLAX)
April 6: Keyon Wilson (MTF); Holly Hill (WLAX)
April 13: Ryan Crivello (BSB); Sophia Wood (WLAX)
April 20: Greg Palmer (MLAX); Emma Laade & Paula Perez Rosales (BVB)

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