By Desean Bullock
As the 2024-2025 year comes to an end, Spartan Army came together to celebrate a year of accomplishments with the annual “Sparty Awards”, hosted by the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC).
SAAC Spartan Leadership Award
Presented by: Senior Associate A.D. for Student-Athlete Enrichment/SWA, Sarah Gildersleeve Jones
Winner: Olivia Hall, Softball
Description: SAAC Spartan Leadership Award goes to the student-athlete that has exhibited a passion and has sought opportunities to lead his or her peers in their time at Upstate. This year’s Spartan Leadership award is given to someone that throughout her time at Upstate has been one of the biggest supporters of her peers, has found ways to get involved within athletics as well as on campus, and within the community. She came into her senior year seeking to continue to build our community within athletics, being a strong voice of her peer student-athletes to administration and leaving behind a solid foundation for SAAC. The legacy that Olivia Hall will be leaving will be one of strength and dedication.
Conrad Strength and Conditioning Award
Presented by: Assistant Sports Performance Coach Chyenne Pump & Sports Performance Graduate Assistant, Antonio Butler
Description: “The female athlete receiving this award is someone who caught my eye as soon as I started here at Upstate. She is passionate, dedicated, and bought in. She sets the tone and leads by example, making everyone around her better. It’s an honor to present the Conrad Strength and Conditioning award to someone who represents what it means to put in the work, regardless of circumstance, Macy Wike“. -Jason Suvak on Macy Wike
“This year’s male recipient of the Conrad strength and conditioning Award represents everything this honor stands for. He showed up every day with purpose, never once complained, and always brought a relentless work ethic. But what made him stand out most wasn’t just what he did for himself—it was how he brought others with him. He led by example, encouraged those around him, and elevated the standard for his entire team. A true embodiment of consistency, humility, and leadership.” – Jason Suvak on Eric Perry
Winners: Eric Perry, Men’s Cross Country & Macy Wike, Women’s Basketball
SRHS Sports Medicine Award
Presented by: Athletic Trainer, Brianne Butler
Description: From Butler: “This was a hard choice this year as I have had several athletes that have gone through major injuries and have gotten back to play. This athlete had a significant injury within the first month of school needing surgery and never missed a beat with classes or rehab despite being on crutches for an extended amount of time. After working super hard with her rehab and trusting the process she was able to return to basketball and had a very successful year this past season. Winning Freshman of the week 6 times that ultimately lead her to being named Freshman of the year for big south. I would like to present this award to Cassie Gallagher for her dedication, hard work and never giving up.”
Winner: Cassie Gallagher, Women’s Basketball
Freshman of the Year
Presented by: Morgan de Barros from Women’s Soccer
Description: This award is given out to a male or female freshman that has excelled athletically in his or her sport. Nominees, as we say your name, please stand to be recognized.
Nominees: Carmelo Adkins, Men’s Basketball; Henry Zenor, Baseball; Ricco Carter, Track & Field; Ross Wright, Men’s Golf; Cassie Gallagher, Women’s Basketball; Sophia Kardatzke; Softball; Kamyla Vega David, Volleyball; Riley O’Bryan, Women’s Soccer
Winners: Henry Zenor, Baseball; Sophia Kardatzke, Softball, & Kamyla Vega David
- Henry Zenor: Named Big South Freshman of the Week twice, he appeared in 34 games with 33 starts, hitting .347 with a .456 on-base and .500 slugging percentage. He tallied 41 hits, 34 runs, 12 doubles, two home runs, and 23 RBI—posting 12 multi-hit and six multi-RBI games. He recorded a career-long 22-game reached base streak and a seven-game hitting streak. Please join me in congratulating your male freshman of the year, Henry Zenor!
- Kamyla Vega David: Named Big South Freshman of the Year, Second Team All-Big South, and to the All-Freshman Team, she also earned Setter of the Week twice and Freshman of the Week a remarkable 10 times. In 26 matches and 105 sets, she led her team with 932 assists, added 373 digs, 23 aces, and posted 18 double-doubles. With 30+ assists in 19 matches—including 12 with 40+—and double-digit digs in 19, she delivered consistency, leadership, and elite-level play from start to finish.
- Sophia Kardatzke: Freshman standout, Sophia Kardatzke has been named Big South Freshman of the Week six times, hitting .400 with a .710 slugging and .443 on-base percentage. She leads the conference in hits, batting average, OPS, and home runs—and adds impact in the circle with a 2.90 ERA, ranked fifth in the Big South.
Newcomers of the Year
Presented by: CJ Rich from Men’s Basketball & Morgan de Barros from Women’s Basketball
Description: The newcomer of the year award is given to the male and female student-athlete who transferred to Upstate from another institution and made an immediate impact.
Nominees: Karmani Gregory, Men’s Basketball; Amp Phillips, Baseball; Jeremiah Harris, Track & Field; Jackson Stone, Men’s Golf; Allison Palmi, Volleyball; Paulina Jordan, Women’s Soccer
Winners: Karmani Gregory, Men’s Basketball; Jackson Stone, Men’s Golf & Allison Palmi, Volleyball
Karmani Gregory: As the starting point guard, Gregory ranked third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.1 points per game. He delivered back-to-back career highs with 23 and 27 points in a standout week, averaging 25 points across two games. He shot 40% from the field, added range from deep, and became one of just four guards in the Big South to record over 100 assists this season.
Jackson Stone: With appearances in eight tournaments, he earned three top-ten finishes and ranked sixth in the conference. He posted the fourth-lowest 54-hole total in the Big South at the GMAC Invitational and earned Big South Golfer of the Week honors. He fired a season-low round of 67, held a scoring average of 72.78, and finished with an outstanding 276-116 win-loss record—a 70.4% win rate.
Allison Palmi: Named Big South Player of the Week, she appeared in all 28 matches and played in 99 sets—never missing a beat. She ranked third on her team with 246 kills, adding 130 digs, 26 blocks, and 11 service aces. She tallied double-digit kills in 14 matches and posted four double-doubles, showcasing her all-around impact. With a season-high 18 kills in two matches and a standout 19-point performance, she delivered when it mattered most.
Dr. Joe Bowman Pinnacle Award
Presented by: Director of Athletics/Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics, Matt Martin
Description: The Joe Bowman Pinnacle Award is given to the senior student-athletes who have embodied what it means to be a Spartan student-athlete. They show strong character, demonstrate strong academic achievement, and are important members of their team on the field or court. This year we have 4 senior student-athletes to be recognized for encompassing what it means to be a Joe Bowman Pinnacle Award Winner.
Winners: AC Markham, Women’s Basketball; Johnny Sweeney, Baseball; Rachel Davis, Track & Field; Ali Jansen, Volleyball
AC Markham: With 117 career appearances and 79 starts, she made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 9.5 points per game and shooting 70% from the free throw line. As a senior, she played in all 30 games, finishing with 137 rebounds, 42 assists, and a season-high 14 points. A key player from start to finish—her leadership and consistency defined her career.
Johnny Sweeney: Over three seasons, he appeared in 90 games and made 69 starts, building from a steady contributor into one of the most feared bats in the Big South. As a senior, he delivered a breakout campaign—earning Big South Player of the Week honors three times. From starting his career at Upstate as a role player in 2023 and 2024, to leading the charge as a senior slugger in 2025, his journey is a true testament to perseverance, hard work, and commitment to his team.
Rachel Davis: Holding multiple school records in both the Indoor Shot Put and 20lb Weight and the outdoor Discuss, Rachel has been a consistent top performer for the Spartans and the Big South Conference. Being named the Big South Field Athlete of the Week multiple times throughout her career including winning the 2025 Indoor Big South Conference Weight Throw.
Ali Jansen: In her senior season, she appeared in 25 matches, posting 172 kills and 29 total blocks. She registered a career-high 23 kills and 24.5 points in a standout performance against Charleston Southern. Over her career, she consistently contributed across the board, with a total of 115 kills and 22 blocks in her junior season, and 54 digs in her senior year. A reliable presence with multiple double-figure kill games, she was a key player from her debut season through her final match.
Dr. Jim Griffis Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Presented by: Maddie Drerup from Softball and CJ Rich from Men’s Basketball
Description: The Dr. Jim Griffis Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is given to a male and female student-athlete that has excelled in the classroom. These nominees have all either been named the Big South Scholar Athlete for their sport or were a member of the Big South All-Academic Team. Additionally, the nominees make up our All-Academic Team.
Nominees: Isaiah Skinner, Men’s Basketball; Braden Consaul, Baseball; Cooper Jennings, Men’s Soccer; Addison Stone, Track & Field; Caden Sanders; Men’s Golf; Jeni Levine, Women’s Basketball; Amie Johnson, Softball; Kylie Johnson, Women’s Soccer; Maureen Ortiz, Track & Field; Julia Gladhill, Volleyball; Grace Garner, Women’s Golf
Winners: Cooper Jennings, Men’s Soccer & Julia Gladhill, Volleyball
Cooper Jennings: A Fall 2024 graduate with a 4.0 GPA, he earned Big South All-Academic and CSC Academic All-District honors. He started 14 of 15 matches in goal, recorded 76 saves, one shutout, and faced over 260 shots. Jennings tallied a season-high 11 saves against UNC Asheville and played over 1,300 minutes this season.
Julia Gladhill: With a perfect 4.0 GPA, she was named to the CSC Academic All-District and Big South All-Academic Teams. On the court, she earned Big South Libero of the Week honors four times, surpassed 1,000 career digs, and became just the second player in Upstate’s Division I era to record 500 digs in a single season. She appeared in all 28 matches, led the team with 544 digs and 37 service aces, and set a D-I era single-match record with 37 digs against Presbyterian.
Student-Athletes of the Year
Presented by: Savannah Noll from Women’s Soccer
Description: The student-athlete of the year award is given to the male and female student-athlete who is a top performing athlete in their sport.
Nominees: Karmani Gregory, Men’s Basketball; Johnny Sweeney; Baseball; Jackson Stone, Men’s Golf; Jeni Levine; Denver Lauer, Softball; Dara Russo, Women’s Soccer; Ady O’Grady Volleyball; Rylie Kosney, Women’s Golf
Winners: Johnny Sweeney, Baseball & Dara Russo, Women’s Soccer
Johnny Sweeney: Named Big South Player of the Week three times this season thus far, he has started all 34 games and made every one count. With an impressive .359 batting average, .490 on-base percentage, and .744 slugging, he racked up 42 hits, 33 runs, 12 home runs, and 47 RBI. He notched career highs with four-hit games—twice—and a seven-RBI explosion against NC State. Consistently clutch, he delivered 12 multi-hit games and nine multi-RBI performances, with a seven-game hitting streak and an 11-game on-base streak to cap it off.
Dara Russo: Named Big South Offensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, First Team All-Conference, and All-Tournament Team. Dara became the program’s All-Time Leading Scorer, finishing the season with 23 points on nine goals and five assists, starting all 19 matches. A true playmaker, she delivered in the clutch—scoring in key games and ending the season with a point in ten different matches. With 56 shots, 27 on target, and nearly 1,400 minutes on the field, she was a constant threat—and a cornerstone of her team’s success.
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