PEMBROKE – A total of six conference championships
were among the celebrations, as the UNC Pembroke athletics department lauded its student-athletes at the 12th annual Golden Braves awards show on Tuesday evening at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
Track & field's Gary Parker and swimming's Luisa Rios were named the Athletic Performance Student-Athletes of the Year for their work in the weightroom, while volleyball's Precious Daley and wrestling's Shylik Scriven was crowned as the Comeback Student-Athletes of the Year.
Longtime supporter's Trustee Kenneth and Claudia Robinette picked up Braves Club Member of the Year honors, while Mr. Gary Hunt was presented with the Changing Lives Through Education Award.
A complete list of Tuesday evening's award recipients is below. Five traditional awards – the male and female athlete of the year, male and female rookie of the year and the Dan Kenney Coach of the Year – will be presented at the Student-Athlete Welcome Back event in August.
| 2025 Golden Braves Awards |
| Athletic Performance Male Student-Athlete of the Year |
Gary Parker, Men's Track & Field |
| Athletic Performance Female Student-Athlete of the Year |
Luisa Rios, Swimming |
| Comeback Male Student-Athlete |
Shylik Scriven, Wrestling |
| Comeback Female Student-Athlete |
Precious Daley, Volleyball |
| Changing Lives Through Education Award |
Gary Hunt |
| Braves Club Member of the Year |
Trustee Kenneth and Claudia Robinette |
| Baseball |
| Most Valuable Hitter |
Jake Bradley |
| Most Valuable Pitcher |
Seth Willis |
| Men's Basketball |
| Freshman of the Year |
Quay Watson |
| Joe Gallagher Most Valuable Player |
Bradlee Haskell |
| Women's Basketball |
| Defensive Most Valuable Player |
Zaria Clark |
| Offensive Most Valuable Player |
Anastasia Sinclair |
| Men's Cross Country |
| Coach's Award |
Ryan Jiminez |
| Most Valuable Runner |
Kelvin Kibet |
| Women's Cross Country |
| Coach's Award |
Malea Bennewitz |
| Most Valuable Runner |
Moureen Kimaiyo |
| Men's Indoor Track & Field |
| Track Athlete of the Year |
Mekhi Hayes |
| Field Athlete of the Year |
Gary Parker |
| Women's Indoor Track & Field |
| Track Athlete Of The Year |
Moureen Kimaiyo |
| Field Athlete of the Year |
Carina Fiorucci |
| Football |
| Most Valuable Offensive Player |
Colin Johnson |
| Most Valuable Defensive Player |
Jamae Blank |
| Golf |
| Most Valuable Golfer |
Chessa Lee |
| Braves Award |
Michelle Guerra Landa |
| Soccer |
| Offensive Most Valuable Player |
Mercy Bell |
| Defensive Most Valuable Player |
Freya Lodge Whitham |
| Softball |
| Championship Mindset Award |
Marijo Wilkes |
| Most Valuable Player |
Kaitlynn Hunt |
| Spirit Squad |
| Coach's Award |
Blair Higley |
| Braves Spirit |
Makaylee Emanuel |
| Swimming |
| Most Improved |
Kaeleigh Cupples |
| Most Valuable Swimmer |
Benedetta Pepe Pugliese |
| Volleyball |
| Impact Player |
Abby Peduzzi |
| Golden Touch |
Tyler Patterson |
| Wrestling |
| Most Pins |
Joey Bruscino |
| Most Wins |
Oggie Atwood |
| Men's Outdoor Track & Field |
| Track Athlete of the Year |
Norman Junker |
| Field Athlete of the Year |
Trent Brown |
| Women's Outdoor Track & Field |
| Track Athlete of the Year |
Moureen Kimaiyo |
| Field Athlete of the Year |
Carina Fiorucci |
