TicketsCINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics celebrated the 2025-26 athletics season at its annual One Team Honors Thursday night.
One Team Honors is an annual end-of-year event which celebrates the best of Bearcats Athletics. The award show is led by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Bearcat student athletes and staff presenting the following categories.
BEN FLICK MEMORIAL AWARD
When former UC Football player Ben Flick passed away in 2013, teammates Grant Coleman and Mark Wilson created the award in his honor. This award is granted to a freshman that has made an impact on the Bearcats Community and embodies the same characteristics of charisma, passion and dedication that Ben displayed.
Female Nominees: Caliyah Devillasee (basketball), AJ Hendrick (soccer), Haley Mario (lacrosse), Tara Kurepa (tennis), Izzy Busignani (volleyball)
Male Nominees: Brayden Miller (golf), Keyshuan Tillery (basketball), Cray Paich (football), Isaiah Dudley (cheer, Miller Mabury (track and field and cross country)
Female Winner: AJ Hendrick – Soccer
Male Winner: Brayden Miller – Golf
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Awarded to a male and female student-athlete in their first year as a Bearcat who has made the biggest impact on their respective team.
Female Winner: Abby Sewell – Track and Field and Cross Country
Male Winner: Nickson Kogei – Track and Field and Cross Country
TRANSFER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to a male and female student-athlete in their first year as a Bearcat who transferred in from another institution.
Female Winner: Mya Perry – Basketball
Male Winner: Cyrus Allen – Football
COMMUNITY CATS AWARD
This award is presented to a Cincinnati student-athlete that goes above and beyond when it comes to serving the University and Cincinnati community.
Female Nominees: Yu-Wei Chiang (golf), Gabby Guenther (tennis), Thea Work (lacrosse), Macaylee Nelson (cheer)
Male Nominees: Marin De Villard (swimming and diving), Grant Darbyshire (basketball), Adam Buczkowski (baseball), Tiger Bartlett (track and field and cross country)
Female Winner: Thea Work – Lacrosse
Male Winner: Tiger Bartlett – Track and Field and Cross Country
ZACK TOBLER ONE TEAM STUDENT-ATHLETE AWARD
This individual might be seen as the unsung hero of the team. Someone who may not always receive outside recognition, but is always looking out for the best interest of the team and always maintains a positive attitude. This award is for a student-athlete who lives the One Team culture every day and best represents the C-Paw. The award is named after Zack Tobler, a walk-on for men's basketball team 2013-17.
Female Nominees: Thea Work (lacrosse), Yu-Wei Chiang (golf), Sophie Schuetze (swimming and diving), Lauren Ann Barnes (track and field and cross country), Ligia Williams (volleyball)
Male Nominees: Brenden Garula (baseball), Grant Darbyshire (basketball), George Leibold (football), Marin De Villard (swimming and diving), Bobby Ganser (track and field and cross country)
Female Winner: Yu-Wei Chiang – Golf
Male Winner: Brenden Garula – Baseball
PRIDE IN THE PAW AWARD
This award is presented to the varsity team that best embodies the One Team spirit and supports their fellow Bearcats.
Winner: Men’s Swimming and Diving
NANCY HAMANT SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Awarded to the senior male and female student-athlete with the top cumulative GPA.
Female Winners: Claire Curtsinger – Track and Field and Cross Country; Mia Hensley – Swimming and Diving
Male Winner: Seth Elking – Track and Field and Cross Country
TED CORBITT BREAKING BARRIERS AWARD
Ted Corbitt was a four-year letterwinner at UC from 1938-1942, when opportunities to compete were limited because of racial barriers and discrimination. The grandson of slaves and a World War II veteran went on to amass one of the most prolific careers in the history of distance running. Known as the "Father of Ultramarathoning" in the United States, he finished more than 223 marathons and ultramarathons and was the first Black marathoner in U.S. Olympic history.
This award is given to a student-athlete who has demonstrated a commitment to breaking barriers and advancing the UC student-athlete experience.
Nominees: Dontay Corleone (football), Tyler McKinley (basketball), Paige Counts (lacrosse), Annika Kinley (track and field and cross country), Thea Work (lacrosse), Hampton Gucky (swimming and diving), Juliette Laracuente-Huebner (track and field and cross country), Kali Barrett (basketball), Ligia Williams (volleyball)
Winner: Ligia Williams – Volleyball
HELEN NORMAN SMITH AWARD
Helen Norman Smith came to UC in 1922 as an instructor in health and physical education and rose to the rank of assistant professor in 1923 and associate professor in 1926. For much of her tenure, she served essentially as the athletics director for women's sports, which operated on a philosophy of broad-based participation. She organized the first certified health education course of studies at UC and was elected to UC's James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979.
The Helen Norman Smith Award is given to a women's sport senior student-athlete who has demonstrated academic achievement, outstanding contributions and/or excellence in athletic performance in their sport, and documented community service.
Nominees: Mya Perry (basketball), Yu-Wei Chiang (golf), Coley Sidloski (soccer), Joleigh Crye (swimming and diving), Carly Glendinning (volleyball), Claire Curtsinger (track and field and cross country)
Award Winner: Joleigh Crye – Swimming and Diving
JIMMY NIPPERT AWARD
Jimmy Nippert was a center on the 1922 and 1923 UC football team and is the namesake of UC's historic home facility. During the season-ending clash with rival Miami (Ohio) in 1923, Nippert sustained a spike-wound injury and died a month later from blood poisoning. His grandfather, James N. Gamble of Procter and Gamble, provided the funds needed to complete the horseshoe-shaped structure, and the James Gamble Nippert Memorial Stadium was dedicated on Nov. 8, 1924.
The Jimmy Nippert Award is given to a men's sport senior student-athlete who has demonstrated academic achievement, outstanding contributions and/or excellence in athletic performance in their sport, and documented community service.
Nominees: Jalen Celestine (basketball), Ben Blevins (football), Gavin Gerhardt (football)
Award Winner: Gavin Gerhardt – Football
DR. SIMON ANDERSON FACILITY RECOGNITION AWARD
This award honors Dr. Simon Anderson, who worked as a professor in UC's College- Conservatory od Music for 41 years. This award is presented to a faculty member who demonstrates continued support of the educational advancement of UC Student-Athletes.
Award Winner: Dr. Julia Buchanan