Cullowhee, N.C. -- Western Carolina Athletics gathered Wednesday night to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the Catamount student-athletes during the 2025-26 season-to-date with the department's annual A-CAT-EMY Awards ceremony, presented by Prospect Cullowhee and held at the Bardo Arts Center.
 
Student-athletes from each of Western Carolina's sports were honored for their performances this year, as 26 awards were distributed for standout performances on the court, in the weight room, and in the classroom. In addition, members of this year's senior class across all sports received their special student-athlete stoles for graduation as they complete their collegiate careers.    
 
On Wednesday, Western Carolina's baseball team was the most well-represented of the award winners as the team earned Men's Team of the Year honors, and head coach Alan Beck was named the Men's Coach of the Year. Cam Murray, Trent Turner, and Jaylen Jones all earned individual honors, being named the Scholar Athlete of the Year, Mr. WCU, and the Comeback Athlete of the Year, respectively. Additionally, the team's 10-9 win over #11 Georgia was named the Biggest Men's Victory of the year, bringing the Catamount baseball team's award total to six. The win over the Bulldogs was WCU's first over a ranked opponent since 2017 and its first over a ranked SEC opponent since 2014.
 
The Catamount softball team ranked second in total honors earned, taking five split across team and individual awards. Head coach Jim Clift was named the Women's Coach of the Year, with the team earning Women's Team of the Year honors as the Catamounts are closing out a historic 2026 campaign. Taylor Waitley and Tate Stewman earned individual honors as they were named the Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year and Miss WCU, respectively. Sydney Dirks earned Women's Iron Cat honors for her effort in the weight room this season.  

The Women's soccer team collected three honors, as Isabella DeMarco and Leanne Trudel were named the First Bank Women's Athlete of the Year and the Spotlight Athlete of the Year. The team's 3-2 road win over NC State was named the Biggest Women's Victory this season, as the Catamounts earned the program's first win over an ACC opponent and their first win over a P4 opponent since the 2008 season.

WCU's track and field and cross country teams combined for three awards on the night, as the women's cross country squad was named the Academic Team of the Year with a 3.695 team GPA. Freshman jumper Daniel Coronell was named the Men's Newcomer of the Year after being named the Southern Conference's Outstanding Male Field Performer and Co-Freshman of the Year during the indoor season. Additionally, Austin Cline was named the Men's Iron Cat recipient for his work with the Catamount strength and conditioning staff.  

The volleyball, women's basketball, cheer, and men's basketball teams all received one award on the night as well. Tatum Sharp received Women's Newcomer of the Year honors after being named the SoCon's Co-Freshman of the Year during her volleyball campaign. Grace Pack closed the individual student-athlete honors as she was named the Women's Comeback Athlete of the Year.  

The Catamount cheer team received the Community Service award with 654 total hours out in the community this year. Riley Ledford received individual honors for her efforts.  

The WCU men's basketball team received one of the most notable awards of the night, as they were named the Prospect Cullowhee "Back The Cats" award recipient, thanks to their consistent support of other Catamount athletics teams throughout the year.  
 
Additionally, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance Travis Chandler and Dr. Joe Bill Matthews received recognition, as they were named the Staff Member of the Year and the Faculty Member of the Year, respectively.  
 
Below are the nominating criteria for all the awards and complete lists of the award recipients and the seniors honored:
   
Male & Female A-CAT-EMY Athlete of the Year:
This award is given to the most valuable student-athletes on their respective team, whose presence and performance make the greatest impact. The A-CAT-EMY Athlete of the Year winners have typically earned the attention and respect of their peers in the Southern Conference and beyond with all-conference nominations or higher within their respective sports.
Female: Isabella DeMarco, Soccer; Katie Boney, Volleyball; Maya McPherson, Softball
Male: Tyler Jones, Men's Golf; Jackson Lyda, Baseball; Jaylen Jones, Baseball
 
Mister and Miss WCU:
These awards are given to the student-athletes who best exemplify the spirit of the Catamounts in all areas possible. The award is given out based on success in all facets of a student-athlete's experience, including academics, athletics, team leadership, and service to others.
Miss: Tate Stewman, Softball; Sadler Miller, Women's Golf/Track; Janelle Blue, Volleyball; Grace Pack, Women's Basketball
Mister: Trent Turner, Baseball; Jace Butcher, Men's Golf; Steven Hamby, Football; Painter Richards-Baker, Football/Track
 
Male & Female Newcomer of the Year:
The winner of this award is the student-athlete with the best season performance by a freshman or first-year athlete throughout their season. The recipients show outstanding work ethic and performance while also playing a significant role on their team, showing experience and skill beyond what is expected for their class.  
Female: Tatum Sharp, Volleyball; Briony Bunsic, Softball
Male: Daniel Coronell, Track; Samuel Dada, Men's Basketball; Evan Myers, Baseball
 
Biggest Victory Award:
The Biggest Victory award is given to the men's and women's teams that had the biggest upset, accomplished a massive goal, triumphed over a rival, or fought against improbable odds to come away with the win.
Women's: Soccer's 3-2 victory at NC State
Men's: Baseball's 10-9 win at #11 Georgia
 
Men's & Women's A-CAT-EMY Coach of the Year Award:
This award is given to the coaches who excelled at putting their respective teams and athletes in the best position possible to succeed, time and time again.
Women's: Jim Clift, Softball; Chad Miller, Soccer; Jesse Norman, Cross Country/Track and Field
Men's: Alan Beck, Baseball; Tim Eckburg, Men's Golf; Kerwin Bell, Football
 
Men's & Women's A-CAT-EMY Team of the Year:
This award is given to the team that displays the best overall performance in their season, standing out amongst the competition and earning the respect of their peers and competitors alike.    
Female: Softball, Women's Soccer, Women's Track and Field
Men's: Baseball, Men's Golf, Football
 
Spotlight Athlete of the Year:
This award goes to the student-athletes who leave a great impact on their team, being a key component to the group's success despite not necessarily filling the stat sheet.    
Female: Leanne Trudel, Women's Soccer; Sydney Dirks, Softball, Eda Yalcinkaya, Volleyball
Male: Cam Murray, Baseball; Tidjiane Dioumassi, Men's Basketball, Painter Richards-Baker, Football/Track and Field; Isaac Lee, Football
 
Community Service Award:
Is presented to the team that leaves the greatest impact on their Western North Carolina and Jackson County community, proportionate to their roster size.
2025-26 Community Service Award: Catamount Cheerleading
 
WCU Staff and Faculty Member of the Year Award:
Two respective awards are given out to the WCU staff and faculty members who went above and beyond in helping our student-athletes become the best they can be.
Staff Member: Travis Chandler, Assistant AD for Compliance; Chad Gerrety, Senior Associate AD for External Affairs; Christian Armstrong, Director for Student-Athlete Development; John Williams, Assistant Sports Performance Coach; Sharon Wilson, Associate Athletic Trainer
Faculty Member: Dr. Joe Bill Mathews, Biology; Dr. Erica Thompson, Sport Management; Lane Perry, Entrepreneurship; Matt Binford, Communication
 
Comeback Athlete of the Year:
Awarded to the male/female student-athletes who have overcome injury in the previous year to return to play this season, enduring rehabilitation and working their way back into playing form. This award is voted on by the sports medicine staff.
Female: Grace Pack, Women's Basketball
Male: Jaylen Jones, Baseball  
 
Iron Cat Award:
Awarded by WCU's sports performance staff, this honor goes to both the male and female student-athletes who demonstrate the ultimate strength in the weight room.
Female: Sydney Dirks, Softball
Male: Austin Cline, Men's Track and Field
 
The Tik-Tok Award:
As the name suggests, this relatively new award goes to the team that produced the best TikTok content and is voted on by the student-athletes in the crowd at the A-CAT-EMY Awards.
Winner:  Women's Soccer
 
The Academic Team of the Year Award is given to the team with the best cumulative GPA.
Academic Team of the Year: Women's Cross Country – 3.695 Team GPA
 
The Back the Cats Award, presented by Prospect Cullowhee, is given to the WCU team that receives the highest number of points for the year by supporting their fellow student-athletes and rooting for the overall success of Catamount Athletics.
Back the Cats: Men's Basketball  

Graduating Seniors:
Women's Golf
EC Niebauer
Sadler Miller

Women's Soccer
Milla Syska
Ava Robitaille
Isabella DeMarco
Leanne Trudel

Football
Armond Anderson
Darian Anderson
William Bradford
Stephen Brantley
Mabry Bumgarner
Lee Campbell
Ca'Lique Cunningham
Jackson Hensley
Jhamari Pierre-Louis

Volleyball
Janelle Blue
Samantha Jo Mikosky

Cheer
Landon Enzor
Riley Ledford
Catie Osborne
Lindsey Mendoza

Men's Basketball
Vernon Collins
Marcus Kell
Cord Stansberry

Men's Track and Field
Justin Hayes
Dakota Braucher
Dominick Dale
Ethan Hibberts
Jackson Livingston
Langston McCovery
Noah Straley
Kamdyn Swartz
Nathaniel Williams

Women's Track and Field
Jessica Connole
Landey Green
Amaya Hicks
Riley McKinney
Leah Butler
Jasmine Greene
Shaneil Lysight
Toria Roundtree
Jasmine Smith
Amilliana Simmons
Raelyn Vadala

Women's Basketball
Kehinde Obasuyi

Softball
Lily Bell
Rylee Butler
Riley Pennington
Tate Stewman
Taylor Waitley

Baseball
Owen Austin
Kaden Fuller
Mason Holton
Davis Wright