LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Loyola Marymount Athletics celebrated more than just wins and records on May 6, as student-athletes, coaches, and staff gathered at the Hilton LAX on May 6 for the 20th annual Iggy Awards, an evening dedicated to recognizing the people and moments that defined the 2025-26 season.

The night began with a red carpet entrance, as LMU student-athletes traded in their uniforms for formal attire and arrived in style. Teammates from across all programs made their way through the venue, posing for photos and celebrating one another before the program began. Inside, the atmosphere was lively and celebratory, with a DJ setting the tone, a photo booth capturing memories, and hors d'oeuvres and beverages creating a space for student-athletes to relax, connect, and enjoy a well-earned night together.

It was a rare moment to step away from competition and simply be present – sharing stories from the season, reflecting on challenges overcome, and celebrating the bonds built along the way. As the evening transitioned into the awards ceremony, that same sense of pride and community carried into honoring the individuals and teams who made the year so memorable.

The evening's program was hosted by MJ Amey Jr. (Men's Basketball) and Sakora Harvell (Softball), whose energy and personality brought a lively and engaging tone to the celebration as they guided attendees through the night's awards and recognitions.

Headlining the evening, Cesar Cruz (Men's Tennis) and Jess Lawson (Women's Basketball) were named Athlete of the Year, recognizing their elite performances throughout the year. Lawson also earned Female Newcomer of the Year after making an immediate impact in her first season, while Nateesh Ganesh (Men's Golf) was named Male Newcomer of the Year.

Breakthrough Athlete of the Year honors went to Max Wuelfing (Men's Tennis) and Maya Hernandez (Women's Basketball), while leadership was celebrated through Richard Rimlinger (Men's Water Polo) and Savannah Hooks (Softball), who were named Leaders of the Pride for their influence both on and off the field.

One of the most memorable highlights of the night was the recognition of the Record Breaking Moment of the Year, awarded to Andjela Matic and LMU Women's Basketball. With less than two seconds remaining in overtime against Oregon State, Matic knocked down a clutch three-pointer to secure the West Coast Conference regular season title. The moment marked just the second time in program history the Lions have claimed the honor and the first since 2004, bringing the entire room back to that unforgettable instant.

Excellence in preparation and performance was also recognized, with men's water polo earning Male Iron Pride and beach volleyball claiming Female Iron Pride. Individually, MJ Amey (Men's Basketball) was named Iron Lion, and Katie McAlister (Beach Volleyball) earned Iron Lioness honors. The LMU softball program was recognized with the Heart of a Lion Award, while Sydney Poole (Softball) was honored as Comeback Athlete of the Year after her inspiring return to competition.

Beyond competition, LMU continued to celebrate the holistic development of its student-athletes. The #MORETHANANATHLETE Award recognized Cyrus Ahmad (Men's Tennis) and Kiana Stevenson (Beach Volleyball), while Ishmael Nieves (Men's Soccer) and Elena Andrews (Women's Soccer) earned the Neighborhood Hustle Award for their impact within the community.

The evening also featured the inaugural BSAC Award, presented to Dr. Tracy Shaw for her impact and contributions to the LMU student-athlete community.

A meaningful moment of the night came with the presentation of The Dr. Michael Mulvihill Difference Maker Award, honoring members of the LMU campus community who have played a vital role in supporting student-athletes' academic success and personal development. This year's recipients included Courtney Klipp, Director of Health Professions Advising in the Center for Student Success; Dr. John David Dionisio, Chair and Professor of Computer Science in the Seaver College of Science and Engineering; Marcy Hess, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships in Career and Professional Development; and Emily Leon, Learning Specialist in Athletic Academic Advising Services.

Academic excellence was also a central part of the evening, with student-athletes recognized for their achievements in the classroom, reinforcing LMU's commitment to success beyond athletics.


2025-26 Iggy Awards - Complete List of Winners
Athletic Awards 
(Honoring top athletic performance, impact, and leadership during the 2025-26 season)

Female Athlete of the Year: Jess Lawson (Women's Basketball)
Male Athlete of the Year: Cesar Cruz (Men's Tennis)

Female Newcomer of the Year: Jess Lawson (Women's Basketball)
Male Newcomer of the Year: Nateesh Anatha Ganesh (Golf)

Female Breakthrough Athlete of the Year: Maya Hernandez (Women's Basketball)
Male Breakthrough Athlete of the Year: Max Wuelfing (Men's Tennis)

Female Leader of the Pride: Savannah Hooks (Softball)
Male Leader of the Pride: Richie Rimlinger (Men's Water Polo)

Record Breaking Moment of the Year: Andjela Matic & Women's Basketball


Sports Performance Awards
(Recognizing excellence in strength, conditioning, and competitive preparation)

Female Iron Pride: Beach Volleyball
Male Iron Pride: Men's Water Polo

Iron Lioness: Katie McAlister (Beach Volleyball)
Iron Lion: MJ Amey (Men's Basketball)

Heart of a Lion Award: Softball
Comeback Athlete of the Year: Sydney Poole (Softball)


Student-Athlete Experience & Community Awards
(Highlighting impact beyond athletics through leadership and service)

#MORETHANANATHLETE Award: Cyrus Ahmad (Men's Tennis) & Kiana Stevenson (Beach Volleyball)
Neighborhood Hustle Award: Ishmael Nieves (Men's Soccer) & Elena Andrews (Women's Soccer)


Special Recognition Awards 
(Honoring members of the LMU community who support and elevate student-athletes)

BSAC Award (Inaugural): Dr. Tracy Shaw
Dr. Michael Mulvihill Difference Maker Award:
Courtney Klipp (Director of Health Professions Advising, Center for Student Success)
Dr. John David Dionisio (Chair & Professor of Computer Science, Seaver College of Science and Engineering)
Marcy Hess (Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Career and Professional Development)
Emily Leon (Learning Specialist, Athletic Academic Advising Services)


Academic & Scholar Awards
(Celebrating excellence in the classroom and academic achievement)

Chi Alpha Sigma Honorees:
Baseball - Jacob Fried
Men's Soccer - Adrien Gamiero, Mathew Habovstak
Men's Tennis - Alexander Nothdurft
Men's Water Polo - Tommaso Baldineti, Richie Rimlinger
Softball - Isabelle Jamgotchian, Cristina Jones, Lindsay O'Dell, Sydney Poole
Beach Volleyball - Jaeya Brach, Anna Pelloia, Chloe Hooker, Olivia Johnson
Cross Country - Ayden Brown, Samantha Duwe, Kathleen Power, Hayden Washington
Women's Soccer - Jordan Sprague
Women's Tennis - Kim-Michaela Zahraj
Women's Volleyball - Sophia Stephenson, Madeline Boerstra
Women's Water Polo - London Boyd, Sophia DeMattia, Rylee Harrington, Lilyana Larson

Brains and Brawn Award (3.0 GPA or higher): 213 student-athletes

4.0 Student-Athletes (Spring & Fall 2025):
Ayden Brown, George (Travers) Clark, Elizabeth Davis, Avery Francis, Maya Hernandez, Ava Mathieson, John Mendiburu, Emma Gustad Myklebust, Sydney Poole, Marisela Somvichian, Grace Thao, Ingrid Timon-Johnson, Brandi Williams, Cila David, Elise Gordon, Samuel Harshe, Carly Heidger, Jaxson Hoover, Chloe Hooker, Daniel Idiakhoa, Emil Kindhult, Maciana Land, Jess Lawson, Sarah Melcher, Soren Martin, Tasman Mullins, Ada Piestryznska, Claudia Rose, Malia Suehiro, Anna Tarantino, Jaxson Wall, Zachary Wadas, Kim-Michaela Zahraj

College Scholar-Athletes:
College of Business Administration - Marisela Somvichian (Women's Basketball)
College of Communication and Fine Arts - Avery Francis (Softball)
School of Film & Television - Ellie Davis (Beach Volleyball)
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts - Ayden Brown (Cross Country)
College of Science and Engineering - Emma Gustad Myklebust & Ava Mathieson (Women's Soccer)
William Husak Scholar-Athlete Awards:
Ellie Davis (Beach Volleyball)
Tommaso Baldineti (Men's Water Polo)

Senior Scholar-Athlete Award: (Presented to graduating student-athletes with the highest cumulative GPA on their team who have completed their athletic eligibility)
Baseball - Jacob Fried
Men's Basketball - Rick Issanza
Women's Basketball - Carly Heidger
Women's Beach Volleyball - Ellie Davis
Women's Cross Country - Ayden Brown
Men's Golf - David Gutierrez
Men's Soccer - Adrien Gameiro
Women's Soccer - Alice Zimmerman
Softball - Sydney Poole
Men's Tennis - Alex Padro
Women's Tennis - Kim-Michaela Zahraj
Women's Volleyball - Sophia Stephenson
Men's Water Polo - Tommaso Baldineti
Women's Water Polo - Sophia DeMattia


The Iggy Awards once again served as a powerful celebration of the people, performances, and moments that define LMU Athletics, closing the chapter on a remarkable 2025-26 season while setting the stage for continued success.
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video