GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Men's volleyball outside hitter Deklan Wingo and women's track & field athlete Jahzara Hart were named the Tusculum University Athletes of the Year, which was announced at the 2024-25 Senior Awards Banquet Tuesday night at Pioneer Arena.
The awards ceremony celebrates Tusculum's student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff for on the field and off the field successes and accomplishments.
Wingo, a senior from Chester, Virginia, led the Pioneers to their first winning season in program history while finishing third in the IVA standings. He leads the nation with his 5.05 kills per set and has a .348 hitting percentage while earning IVA Player of the Year distinction for a second straight season.
Hart, a junior from Raleigh, North Carolina, has established program records multiple times in the 100 and 200 meters. She is currently ranked seventh in NCAA Division II in the 100 and 12 in the 200. She placed second in the 60 meters and third in the 200 at the South Atlantic Conference Indoor Championship.
Track & Field head coach Robert T. Williams is this year's recipient of the Art Argauer Coach of the Year Award. Williams earns this award for the first time in his Tusculum career.
Men's lacrosse attack Luke Bowen was named the Male Freshman Athlete of the Year. The Edmonton, Alberta product established single-season records with 45 assists and 75 points to go along with his 30 goals. He earned SAC Lacrosse Player of the Week honors becoming the first Pioneer in three years to earn that plaudit.
Outside hitter Addison McLarty was named the Female Freshman Athlete of the Year. The Acworth, Georgia native was named to the 2024 SAC All-Freshman Team as she led the team with 261 kills while also posting 101 digs and 27 blocks.
Greeneville senior Matthew Palazzo is the 2024-25 recipient of the Walter T. Dette Spirit Award. The Dette Award is presented to the graduating senior or graduate student who has excelled in several areas while attending Tusculum and supporting the athletic department in its endeavors. Palazzo has been the starting quarterback on the TU football team the last two seasons and has shined with distinction as member of the Athletic Communications office.
Five Tusculum upperclassmen are the recipients of the Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award, which is given to the top male and female student-athletes for academic success.
On the women's side, three student-athletes have perfect 4.00 grade point averages including: softball pitcher Natalie Spaitis (Schaumburg, Ill.) and soccer standouts Tanna Bookhamer (Greeneville, Tenn.) and Helena Walts (Mooresville, N.C.).
The duo of football offensive lineman Nehemiah Storey (Rockwood, Tenn.) and track & field athlete Michael McGrath (Boca Raton, Fla.) each have a 4.00 GPA and are the recipients of the Male Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award.
Academic achievement was also recognized with the Male and Female Freshman of the Year Academic Awards as three student-athletes were honored after recording 4.00 GPAs including: Women's soccer's Maia Scott (Auckland, New Zealand), women's basketball's Zoe Sharpe (Glasgow, Scotland), women's lacrosse's Haley Cain (Evergreen, Colo.), baseball's Jake Smith (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and men's tennis' Eli England (Tazewell, Tenn.).
Hannah Barrett was named the recipient of the Tusculum Assistant Coach of the Year Award. Barrett, who just completed her first season as head coach of the women's volleyball program, served as an assistant during the men's volleyball season.
Tusculum men's basketball forward TJ Printup (Adairsville, Ga.) was the recipient of the Comeback Athlete of the Year Award. This honor is selected by TU's athletic training staff and presented to the student-athlete who have overcome injury and adversity while contributing to the success of the program.
The 2024-25 recipient of the Chuck Williams Service Award goes to Billie Ann Pace, who is retiring after 20 years as Coordinator of Student Wellness and Resources. Pace has been instrumental in the success of many of Tusculum's students and is a beloved member of the TU Family. The Williams Service Award, which debuted last year and named after longtime photographer Chuck Williams, is presented annually to an individual in recognition of their service and dedication to the Tusculum Athletic Department and its mission.
The Paxton-Combs Fan of the Year Award is named in honor of former Tusculum staff members and long-time Pioneer fans Mary Helen Paxton and Joyce Combs. This year's Student Fan of the Year is Aiden Paczek (Ottawa, Ontario) of the men's lacrosse team. The Paxton-Combs Fan of the Year is assistant women's basketball coach Michala Hash.
2024-25 Tusculum University Athletic Award Recipients
Male Athlete of the Year: Deklan Wingo (Men's Volleyball)
Female Athlete of the Year: Jahzara Hart (Women's Outdoor Track & Field)
Art Arguaer Award: Robert T. Williams (Track & Field)
Male Freshman Athlete of the Year: Luke Bowen (Men's Lacrosse)
Female Freshman Athlete of the Year: Addison McLarty (Women's Volleyball)
Male Freshman of the Year Academic Award: Jake Smith (Baseball); Eli England (Men's Tennis)
Female Freshman of the Year Academic Award: Maia Scott (Women's Soccer), Haley Cain (Women's Lacrosse), Zoe Sharpe (Women's Basketball)
Male Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award: Nehemiah Storey (Football), Michael McGrath (Track & Field)
Female Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award: Natalie Spaitis (Softball), Tanna Bookhamer (Soccer), Helena Walts (Soccer)
Assistant Coach of the Year: Hannah Barrett (Men's Volleyball)
Walter T. Dette, Jr. Spirit Award: Matthew Palazzo (Football)
Paxton-Combs Fan of the Year: Michala Hash (Assistant Coach - Women's Basketball)
Paxton-Combs Student Fan of the Year: Aiden Paczek (Men's Lacrosse)
Most Spirited Award: Emily Head
Chuck Williams Service Award: Billie Ann Pace
Comeback Athlete of the Year: TJ Printup (Men's Basketball)
Pioneer Cup: Women's Beach Volleyball
Play of the Year: Riley Hope (softball) turns triple play
Team Most Valuable Players
Men's Cross Country: Simon Ray
Men's Basketball: Bryce Jackson
Football: Garrett Priest
Men's Soccer: Clarenns Sainrimat
Men's Indoor Track & Field: Joshua Stephens
Baseball: Max Schmarder
Men's Lacrosse: Luke Bowen
Men's Golf: Liam van Deventer
Men's Outdoor Track & Field: Isaiah Olson
Men's Volleyball: Deklan Wingo
Men's Tennis: Nathan Matsuguma
Men's Beach Volleyball: Morgan Makovec / Aiden Roper
Women's Cross Country: Tashianna Gray
Women's Soccer: Marja Enste
Women's Golf: Reagan Padilla
Women's Basketball: Ni'Kiah Chesterfield
Women's Volleyball: Addison McLarty
Softball: Megan Ackerman
Women's Indoor Track & Field: Theresa Green-White
Women's Outdoor Track & Field: Jahzara Hart
Women's Beach Volleyball: Brynn Smith / Hannah Marsh
Women's Tennis: Elodie Baechler
Women's Lacrosse: Emily White
