TOLEDO, Ohio – The fourth-annual Rocket Awards were held to celebrate University of Toledo student-athletes and their accomplishments for the 2024-25 school year at Savage Arena Wednesday evening.
Awards highlighting individual and team achievements were handed out to celebrate another successful year for Toledo Athletics.
For the first time, women's tennis was named the Team of the Year. The 2023-24 team compiled an 18-6 record and secured its second regular-season championship, boasting a 9-1 conference record. The Rockets also won the MAC Tournament Championship for the first time in program history and made the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Maxen Hook (football) and Lucie Morris (Women's Swimming & Diving) each earned the Rocket Award.
Pawit Sornlaksup (Men's Tennis) was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year, while Laura Nicholson (Cross Country/Women's Track & Field) garnered Female Student-Athlete of the Year.
Fall and winter sports from the 2024-25 academic year, along with spring sports from the 2024 season, were eligible for nominations.
2024-25 Rocket Awards
Team Awards
Team of the Year – Women's Tennis
Best in Focus Award – Men's Cross Country
Academic Achievement Award – Women's Tennis - 3.801
Heart of the Community Team Award – Men's Golf
Heart of the Community Team Award – Softball
Blue & Gold Award – Men's Golf
Individual Awards
The Rocket Award (male) – Maxen Hook (football)
The Rocket Award (female) – Lucie Morris (women's swimming & diving)
Student-Athlete of the Year (male) – Pawit Sornlaksup (men's tennis)
Student-Athlete of the Year (female) – Laura Nicholson (women's track & field)
Chuck Ealey Undefeated Spirit Award – Jerjuan Newton (football)
Bleed Blue Award (male) – Troy Sudbrook (baseball)
Bleed Blue Award (female) – Sammi Mikonowicz (women's basketball)
Most Likely to Go Pro (male) – Poonthong Komolpisut (men's tennis)
Most Likely to Go Pro (female) – Taylor Alt (women's volleyball)
Rising Star Award (male) – Luke Walton (baseball)
Rising Star Award (female) – Nan Garcia (women's basketball)
The Comedy Captain Award – JP Wagner (baseball)
The Comedy Captain Award – Erin McElroy (women's soccer)
Mr. Toledo – Braden Awls (football)
Ms. Toledo – Lucie Morris (women's swimming & diving)
Rookie Sensation Award (male) – Dylan Cunanan (football)
Rookie Sensation Award (female) – Gabby Phelan (women's cross country and track & field)
Heart of the Community Award – Maddie McKay (softball)
Behind the Scenes Award – Brad Pierson (assistant athletic director of sports medicine)
Innovator of the Year Award – Joshuah Taylor (men's cross country)
Einstein Excellence Award – Morgan Hicks (women's cross country)
Champion Maker of the Year Award – Ben Wielgopolski (assistant strength & conditioning coach)
SPECIAL MOMENTS
Play of the Year – Baseball (Luke Walton's diving catch in a 5-3 win vs. No. 12 Oregon on Feb. 15, 2025)
Epic Fail Award – Women's Soccer
"I Wish I Could Delete This Photo" Award – Reis Sjoholm (softball)
TikTok Titan Award – Women's Swimming & Diving
TEAM MVPs
Baseball – Grant Umberger
Men's Basketball – Sonny Wilson
Women's Basketball – Sammi Mikonowicz
Men's Cross Country –Dominic Serem
Women's Cross Country – Mercy Kinyanjui
Women's Track & Field – Laura Nicholson
Football – Jerjuan Newton
Men's Golf – CJ van Wyk
Women's Golf – Valeria Lizcano
Men's Tennis – Matias Olivero
Women's Tennis – Cassie Alcala
Women's Soccer – Tori Lyncha
Softball – Sidney Griffith
Women's Swimming & Diving – Leah Evans
Women's Volleyball – Taylor Alt
