TERRE HAUTE, Ind. –
Rashad Rochelle,
Rachel Mehringer,
Yang Tai,
Xavier Wills, and the Indiana State Track & Field programs were among the big winners on Wednesday 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 golf team took home the President's Cup honoring the top team GPA, the Spirit Squad claimed the Sycamore Cup, and the football team claimed the Bound and Determined Award for their win over then No. 4-ranked South Dakota State in November in their first win over a Top Five opponent since 2012.
Rochelle and Mehringer were named the John McNichols Male and Female Athletes of the Year, while
Grace Cummings (Swimming & Diving) and
Kimal Clark (Football) were named the Female and Male Newcomers of the Year.
The Indiana State Track & Field team claimed Team of the Year honors following the program's 49th and 50th championships in program history. Indiana State women's soccer head coach
Paul Lawrence 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 Tai (Women's Golf) and Wills (Men's Track & Field).
Women's Track & Field's
Essence Johnson 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.
Yang Tai (Women's Golf) 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 major contributions from
Shay Herbert and the Indiana State Athletic Communications staff.
2025 SAMYS Winners
- Female Newcomer of the Year: Grace Cummings (Swimming & Diving)
- Male Newcomer of the Year: Kimal Clark (Football)
- Sycamore Cup: The Spirit Squad
- President's Cup (Highest Team GPA): Women's Golf
- Team Performance of the Year: Women's Swimming & Diving claims back-to-back MVC Championships
- Comeback Player of the Year: Kaleigh Kelley (Women's Swimming & Diving)
- True to Blue Award: Dave McMannus
- Gillum Award: Yang Tai (Women's Golf)
- Bound and Determined: Football (Win at South Dakota State)
- Olson-Hill Sapp: Essence Johnson (Women's Track & Field)
- Female Individual Performance: Grace Cummings (NCAA Championships)
- Male Individual Performance: Casey Hood Jr. (Men's Track & Field – MVC Championships)
- Team of the Year: Indiana State Track & Field Program
- Female Presidential Scholar Athlete: Yang Tai (Women's Golf)
- Male Presidential Scholar Athlete: Xavier Wills (Men's Track & Field)
- Duane Klueh Coach of the Year: Paul Lawrence (Women's Soccer)
- John McNichols Female Athlete of the Year: Rachel Mehringer (Women's Track & Field)
- John McNichols Male Athlete of the Year: Rashad Rochelle (Football)
Team Awards
- Women's Track & Field: Kyarra DeGroote (Most Improved), Michelle McDonald (Coaches), Aliseonna Garnett and Janiya Bowman (MVP)
- Men's Track & Field: Nick Burns (Most Improved), Trent Jones (Coaches), Casey Hood Jr. (MVP)
- Spirit: Cheyenne Mroz and Hannah Sailer (Most Improved), Natalie Silver (Coaches Award & MVP)
- Softball: Madison Poulson (Most Improved), Hannah Welch (Coaches), Morgan Goodrich (MVP)
- Baseball: Jackson Taylor (Most Improved), Keegan Garis (Coaches), Carter Beck (MVP)
- Men's Cross Country: Emerson Fayman (Coaches), Ryan York (Most Improved & MVP)
- Women's Cross Country: Gnister Grant and Halle Miller (Most Improved), Allison Steffey (Coaches), Brittney Burak (MVP)
- Soccer: Riley Mathews (Coaches), Anna Chor (Most Improved & MVP)
- Volleyball: Chloe Gilley (Most Improved), Emmy Sher (Coaches), Kira Holland (MVP)
- Football: Nic Yatsko (Most Improved), Braxton Sampson (Coaches), Kimal Clark (MVP)
- Men's Basketball: Cooper Bean (Most Improved), Xavier Hall (Coaches), Ian Scott (MVP)
- Women's Basketball: Amerie Flowers (Most Improved), Jayci Allen (Coaches), Tierney Kelsey (MVP)
- Swimming and Diving: Addison Johnson (Most Improved), Haley Halsall and Kaleigh Kelley (Coaches), Ali Pearson (MVP)
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Athletics, make sure to check out
GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including
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