TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Elias Foor, Claire Parsons, Ethan Chambers, Emma Kaelin, and the Indiana State Swimming & Diving team were among the big winners on Monday night at the SAMYs presented by The Hometown Savings Bank, as the Sycamores hosted their annual athletic awards ceremony inside the Hulman Center.
 
In addition, the Women's Soccer team took home the President's Cup honoring the top team GPA, the Spirit Squad claimed the Sycamore Cup, and the Women's Soccer team doubled up claiming the Bound and Determined Award for their undefeated mark at Memorial Stadium in 2024, as well as their first postseason win since 2016.
 
Foor and Parsons were named the John McNichols Male and Female Athletes of the Year, while Jecza Lopez (Swimming & Diving) and Elijah Owens (Football) were named the Female and Male Newcomers of the Year.
 
The Indiana State Women's Swimming & Diving Team claimed Team of the Year honors following the program's run to their first Missouri Valley Conference Championship this past spring. Head Coach Josh Christensen was named the Duane Klueh Coach of the Year.
 
The Presidential Scholar-Athletes honoring athletic achievement, academic achievements, qualities of leadership and service to the university and community went to Kaelin (Volleyball) and Chambers (Football).
 
Women's Swimming & Diving's Alexa Szadorski was honored with the Olson-Hill Sapp Award which goes to an athlete who embodies the spirit of the Sycamores, including GPA, positive attitude, support for other athletes, campus involvement, and overall accomplishments. 
 
Emma Elliott (Women's Soccer), Cami Farmer (Women's Cross Country), Emma Kaelin (Volleyball), Grace Longyear (Spirit), Ali Pearson (Women's Swimming & Diving) all received the Gillum Award given to an athlete for the highest cumulative GPA during their time at Indiana State.
 
Established in 2017, the SAMYS have recognized athletes, supporters, and staff for their accomplishments and contributions throughout the year. The evening was hosted by the ISU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and John Sherman, with contributions from Greg Rakestraw, Shay Herbert, and Nick Rush.
 
2025 SAMYS Winners

• Female Newcomer of the Year: Jecza Lopez (Swimming & Diving)
• Male Newcomer of the Year: Elijah Owens (Football)
• Sycamore Cup: The Spirit Squad
• President's Cup (Highest Team GPA): Women's Soccer (3.79 GPA)
• Team Performance of the Year: Men's Track & Field dominates MVC Outdoor Championships
• Comeback Player of the Year: Brooklyn Woods (Women's Soccer)
• True to Blue Award: Michelle Stodden
• Gillum Award: Emma Elliott (Women's Soccer), Cami Farmer (Women's Cross Country), Emma Kaelin (Volleyball), Grace Longyear (Spirit), Ali Pearson (Women's Swimming & Diving)
• Bound and Determined: Women's Soccer (MVC Championships)
• Olson-Hill Sapp: Alexa Szadorski (Women's Swimming & Diving)
• Female Individual Performance: Rachel Mehringer (Women's Track & Field – MVC Championships)
• Male Individual Performance: Elias Foor (Men's Track & Field – MVC Championships)
• Team of the Year: Women's Swimming & Diving
• Female Presidential Scholar Athlete: Emma Kaelin (Volleyball)
• Male Presidential Scholar Athlete: Ethan Chambers (Football)
• Duane Klueh Coach of the Year: Josh Christensen (Women's Swimming & Diving)
• John McNichols Female Athlete of the Year: Claire Parsons (Women's Swimming & Diving)
• John McNichols Male Athlete of the Year: Elias Foor (Men's Track & Field)

Team Awards

• Golf: Sophia Florek (Most Improved), Rosie DiNunzio (Coaches), Briana LeMaire (MVP)
• Women's Track & Field: Emma Gresham (Most Improved), Kaylen Gustafson and Peyton Smith (Coaches), Rachel Mehringer (MVP)
• Men's Track & Field: Casey Hood Jr. (Most Improved), Tahj Johnson (Coaches), Elias Foor and Noah Bolt (MVP)
• Spirit: Olivia Wolfe (Most Improved), Grace Longyear and Marlee Ramey (Coaches), Grace Longyear (MVP)
• Softball: Lauren Marsicek (Most Improved), Hailey Griffin (Coaches), Isabella Henning (MVP)
• Baseball: Luis Hernandez (Most Improved), Randal Diaz (Coaches), Grant Magill (MVP)
• Men's Cross Country: Ryan Handy (Most Improved), Jason Dworak (Coaches), Layton Hall (MVP)
• Women's Cross Country: Morgan Dyer (Most Improved), Erica Barker (Coaches), Emma Gresham (MVP)
• Soccer: Emma Elliott (Most Improved), Mackenzie Kent (Coaches), Mackenzie Kent (MVP)
• Volleyball: Curry Kendall (Most Improved), Avery Hales (Coaches), Emma Kaelin (MVP)
• Football: Jorge Valdes (Most Improved), Ethan Chambers (Coaches), Elijah Owens (MVP)
• Men's Basketball: K'mani Doughty (Most Improved), Bruno Alocen (Coaches), Aaron Gray (MVP)
• Women's Basketball: Deja Jones (Most Improved), Bella Finnegan (Coaches), Keslyn Secrist (MVP)
• Swimming and Diving: Trista Bullock (Most Improved), Chloe Farro and Alexandria Cotter (Coaches), Claire Parsons (MVP)

View the Full Ceremony


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