DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis Athletics celebrated its student athletes with the annual Aggie Awards, and for the second-straight year the celebration was held on the floor of the University Credit Union Center.
 
A total of 12 awards, six departmental and six voted on by the student athletes themselves, were given out on Sunday evening.
 
"SAAC was thrilled to host the second annual Aggie Awards to celebrate the incredible accomplishments from our athletes this year," said senior Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President Kayla Wolfe (equestrian). "It is always so special to have our athletes recognized for their passion, pride, and dedication to the sport and Aggie community. 
 
"Being a part of SAAC and Athletics has given me some of the most meaningful moments at UC Davis. As my time with SAAC comes to an end, I am so grateful for our amazing executives, staff, and athletes for building such a strong community and constantly raising the bar!"
 
The University Credit Union was once again transformed into a proper awards venue, complete with a "blue carpet" for fit checks, a 360-selfie booth and a large center stage to show case the many Aggie talents.

"This was our highest performing year across the board athletically and among the highest GPA's in Aggie history," notes Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca. "I am proud to celebrate all our student-athletes achieved and highlight the importance of the relationships they built – between teams, on campus and in the community – that will pay off far into their futures."
 

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2025 AGGIE AWARDS
 
DEPARTMENT AWARDS
 
Sarah Sumpter Perseverance Award
 
The Sarah Sumpter Perseverance Award is in honor of Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Famer Sarah Sumpter, and it is given to a current UC Davis student athlete who has overcome a significant obstacle to return to varsity competition.
 
Sumpter herself overcame a brain tumor diagnosis in 2010 to post an exemplary career in the Blue & Gold in both cross country and track & Field. On the eve of the 2010 cross country season, tragedy struck: during a routine doctor's visit, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After successfully undergoing emergency surgery, and sitting out the 2010-11 season, Sumpter incredibly returned to action while continuing her chemotherapy.
 
In her final three seasons, she posted two runner-up finishes at the Big West cross country championships, won three Big West individual titles in the 5,000 and 10,000-meter races, and added a Big West Track Athlete of the Year award. Sumpter also advanced to the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Championships, where she posted a USTFCCCA All-America second-team finish. A year later, she competed at the USATF Outdoor Championships.
 
Tragically in 2015 while she was training for the New York City Marathon, Sumpter's health quickly began to deteriorate and on Sept. 21 she passed away at the age of 25.  
 
RECIPIENT – Kylie Jacobson (Equestrian)

This year's recipient, Kylie Jacobson, suffered a terrible riding accident last summer. After finishing a great ride, her horse was unexpectedly spooked. And when she was thrown off her horse she got caught in the horse's legs, and her face was trampled.
 
She shattered her upper jaw, orbital bone, nasal spine, and lost three teeth. After a week's stay in the hospital and facial reconstructive surgery, she was sent home with her mouth wired shut for six weeks. At the beginning of the season, she got back in the saddle, regained her confidence, and she quickly returned to being a fierce competitor.
 
Jacobson participated in 10 meets this season and took home five wins. Her season included two ECAC Horsemanship Rider of the Week awards and she was named to the ECAC Horsemanship All-Tournament Team and earned an ECAC All-Academic Honorable Mention.
 
Marya Welch Award
 
The Marya Welch Award is an award bestowed to the women's team with the highest GPA, celebrating the outstanding work done by the program in the classroom.
 
The award honors the remarkable legacy of Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Famer Marya Welch, a true pioneer in women's athletics. As a physical education instructor, coach, and dean of women at UC Davis, Welch played a pivotal role in establishing women's sports on campus during the 1950s. Her tireless efforts included founding intramural and extramural sports programs, coaching various teams, and advocating for gender equity. In recognition of her far-reaching contributions, the award celebrates excellence, dedication, and empowerment in women's athletics.
 
RECIPIENT – Women's Water Polo (3.48 GPA)
 
Lysle Leach Award
 
The Lysle Leach Award is bestowed to the men's team with the highest GPA, celebrating the outstanding work done by the program in the classroom.
 
A Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Famer, inducted as a faculty athletics representative, Lysle Leach was one of the University's truly distinguished educators and scientists. As one of the first plant pathologists to be located at UC Davis (in 1929), he played an extremely important role in the development of the fledgling Department (then known as a division) of Plant Pathology.
 
In addition to his devotion to plant pathology, Professor Leach had a keen interest in student affairs and in the UC Davis athletic program. From 1941 to 1964 he served as faculty representative to the Far Western Intercollegiate Athletics Conference and the NCAA. In this capacity he worked hard and effectively to preserve the UC Davis philosophy that an athlete is a student first.
 
RECIPIENT – Men's Basketball (3.29 GPA)
 
W.P. Lindley Award
 
The W.P. Lindley Award celebrates the best of both worlds by naming the year's outstanding Scholar Athlete. An award Aggies take pride in, being able to balance both the classroom and the field while excelling at both is why this award is sought after by all who have worn the Blue & Gold.
 
RECIPIENT – Niko Rocak (Men's Basketball)

Rocak led the Big West in blocks per game and led the Aggies in rebounds as he led his teammates as an elected team captain. He is an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Team Impact. After completing his undergraduate degree in Chemistry, he stuck around to pursue his MBA through the Graduate School of Management.
 
Dr. Hubert Heitman Award
 
The Dr. Hubert Heitman Award is bestowed upon the Aggie Female Athlete of the Year.
 
A pioneer of research on the UC Davis campus for 32 years, Dr. Hubert Heitman Jr., was elected to the Cal Aggie Hall of Fame in 1990 for good reason. His love for the Aggies. Dr. Heitman believed strongly in the idea of the student athlete who plays for enjoyment and with his wife their support of women's sports at UC Davis and beyond helped launch the growth we see today. He served on many committees, including serving as the vice president of the NCAA's governing council where he went to bat for women's sports on many occasions.
 
RECIPIENT – Sam Tristan (Women's Soccer)
 
The Fresno, Calif., native earned her first career United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's All-West Region team honors and was the first Aggie to ever be recognized as the Big West Offensive Player of the Year. Sam Tristan started in all 20 contests for the Aggies in 2024, earning first team All-Big West honors leading the league with 24 points and 26 shots on goal, and becoming one of only two student-athletes to record double-digit scores (10) this season.
 
Tristan helped the Aggies get a signature win over LSU and make a run to the Big West Tournament semifinals.
 
Colby E. "Babe" Slater Award
 
The Colby E. "Babe" Slater Award is bestowed upon the Aggie Male Athlete of the Year.
 
A native of California and a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in rugby, Colby E. "Babe" Slater first stepped foot on the campus of UC Davis in 1914. Slater played basketball for the Blue & Gold and after he graduated in 1917, he served his country during World War I.
 
Slater then hit the Rugby pitch with team USA where he was a member of the 1920 and 1924 national teams that would win back-to-back gold medals at the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics. His contributions to the sport of rugby lead to a pair of inductions into the US Rugby Hall of Fame.
 
And like a true Aggie, Slater would go on to become a farmer, where his Aggie Pride showed with each harvest.
 
RECIPIENT – Lan Larison (Football)
 
Lan Larison set the nation on fire during the 2024 season, ending the year among the best in the country in numerous categories. Larison racked up four All-American honors, he was named first team All-Big Sky Conference and he was named a Walter Payton Award finalist.
 
He finished the year with a national leading and school record setting 2,387 all-purpose yards racking up 1,465 total rushing yards and 874 receiving yards during the season. Larison added 17 rushing touchdowns and six receiving touchdowns and he finished ranked nationally second in total touchdowns, third in rushing yards and total scoring per game, sixth in rushing touchdowns and ninth in rushing yards per game. And his 874 receiving yards led all running backs in the nation.
 
While not getting drafted, Larison immediately signed a free agent deal with the National Football League's New England Patriots and is currently a member of their roster.
 
STUDENT-ATHLETE AWARDS
 
New Aggie of The Year
 
Presented to the student-athlete who provided positive contributions, spirit and went above and beyond for their program in the their first season wearing the Blue & Gold.
 
RECIPIENT – Ximena Cordero Barr (Volleyball)
 
Aggie Pride
 
For a student-athlete who models and exudes the most Aggie PRIDE which stands for pride, resourceful, inclusive, determined and excellence. They demonstrate involvement, spirit and can be seen as the most diverse events.
 
RECIPIENT – Brody Crouch (Men's Water Polo)
 
Best Upset of the Year
 
RECIPIENT – Women's Soccer vs. LSU

On Junior Aggie Day, UC Davis put the nation on notice with its first ever win over an SEC opponent when they knocked off LSU 4-3 on a sunny September afternoon at Aggie Soccer Field. In the 13th minute Genavieve Fontes scored the first of her two goals in the match to quickly put the Aggies ahead 1-0. But LSU was not an easy team to put away and goals in the 51st and 70th minutes put the Tigers in front 2-1. But Jayde Holley and Sam Tristan answered the call scoring a pair of goals only minutes apart in the 78th and 79th minutes to give UC Davis a late 3-2 lead.

LSU answered in the 82nd minute setting up an historic finish for the Aggies. Ashleigh Garcia intercepted a midfield pass from LSU and quickly flipped the pace of play finding Fontes with a streaking pass up the left side. The Aggie attacker took her touches before smashing home the eventual game winner to cap off her brace and send Aggie Soccer Field into a frenzy.
 
Best Moment of the Year
 
Given for the most shocking, thrilling and exciting performance.
 
RECIPIENT – Cason Goodman (MSOC)
 
UC Davis men's soccer clinched their spot in the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament, defeating UC Santa Barbara 2-0 in the Big West Championship Final. Cason Goodman secured the Aggies' advancement to the program's fourth-ever NCAA Division I Tournament, by scoring both goals for the Aggies to win.
 
Women's Team of the Year
 
Presented to the women's team that best demonstrated the most Aggie Pride with the most impressive season.
 
RECIPIENT – Gymnastics

Qualified for the NCAA Regionals for the first time in 10 years, reaching the Seattle Regional after finishing the year strong. Over the final six meets, the Aggies scored no lower than 195.300 and three times broke 196.000 to power themselves into position to be among the best in the nation.
 
Men's Team of the Year
 
Presented to the Men's team that best demonstrated the most Aggie Pride with the most impressive season.
 
RECIPIENT – Men's Soccer

The Aggies took down the Big West's top seeded UC Santa Barbara 2-0 to win the Big West Championship and punch their ticket to the NCAA Division I tournament. It was the fourth time the Aggies have qualified for the tournament in program history and they became the first-ever No. 4 seed to win the Big West Championship. The Aggies would eventually fall to San Diego in the NCAA Tournament First Round, wrapping up an historic championship season by UC Davis.