Willamette Announces Winners at the 2025 Bearcat Awards
SALEM, Ore. -- The 2025 Bearcat Awards were presented on Wednesday, April 30 at Hudson Concert Hall in the Rogers Music Center. The event honored achievements by the Willamette University Bearcats during the 2024-25 athletic year. Awards were presented to the top athletes and rising stars, as well as to those with outstanding individual performances, exceptional community service, and academic success.
Winners of the J.H. Booth Award and the Jean Williams Award, which honor the top graduating seniors for their leadership, scholarship, and athletic success, were announced. Other top honors included the Julie Abendroth, Ed.D. Professor of the Year Award, Alumnus of the Year Award, and Sue J. Rauch Distinguished Service to Athletics Award. Members of Willamette's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the 2024 induction class into the Chi Alpha Sigma honorary society also were recognized.
Bearcat Awards Show Replay
Red Carpet and Event Photos
More Photos will be added over the next couple of days
Jean Williams Award
The Jean Williams Award is presented annually to the senior women's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship, and athleticism.
Katherine Thornton
Reno, Nevada / Reno HS
Track & Field
Other Finalists: Lily Bachiochi (Lacrosse), Ella Isaacson (Triathlon/Swimming), Nina Krassner-Cybulski (Soccer)
J.H. Booth Award
Presented annually to the senior men's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism.
Krisna LaFrance
Seattle, Washington / Ballard HS
Soccer
Other Finalists: Tassos Foster (Baseball), Cole Lindberg (Swimming)
Women's Athlete of the Year
Awarded to a women's student-athlete based on the culmination of their yearly stats and athletic accolades this season.
Lily Bachiochi
Henderson, Nevada / Coronado HS
Lacrosse
Other Finalists: Tessa Ciatti (Swimming), Kenna Davis (Softball), Nina Krassner-Cybulski (Soccer), Katherine Thornton (Track & Field)
Men's Athlete of the Year
Awarded to a men's student-athlete based on the culmination of their yearly stats and athletic accolades this season.
Oliver Smith
San Jose, California / Pioneer HS
Golf
Other Finalists: Kai Brown (Basketball), Nate Hamburger (Baseball), Ka'olapa Masuko (Swimming), Kaleb McArthur (Track & Field)
Women's Individual Performance of the Year
Awarded to a women's student-athlete for their exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.
Tessa Ciatti
Bellingham, Washington / Squalicum HS
Swimming
Other Finalists: Lily Bachiochi (Lacrosse), Kenna Davis (Softball), Kaitlin Imai (Basketball), Alicia Sola (Tennis)
Men's Individual Performance of the Year
Awarded to a men's student-athlete for their exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.
Steeley Mucken
Silverton, Oregon / Silverton HS
Track & Field
Other Finalists: Nate Hamburger (Baseball), Ryder Hsiung (Basketball), Javi Rodriguez (Football), Oliver Smith (Golf)
Women's Individual Service Award
Awarded to a women's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus -- Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.
Emma Floyd
Camano Island, Washington / Stanwood HS
Basketball
Other Women's Finalist: Tenley Grant (Track & Field), Jamie Haysman Boaler (Soccer), Abbey Staniec (Triathlon/Swimming), Marie Tarrab (Tennis)
Men's Individual Service Award
Awarded to a men's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus -- Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.
Jay Chew
Elk Grove, California / Laguna Creek HS
Cross Country, Track & Field
Other Men's Finalists: Adam Birt (Baseball), Jonas Cherry (Track & Field), Jake Freeland (Tennis), Krisna LaFrance (Soccer)
Women's Newcomer of The Year
Awarded to a woman's first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.
Sofie Szigeti
Hawthorne, California / Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Triathlon
Other Finalists: Leina Chu (Volleyball), Gio Horner (Basketball, Tennis), Jillian Price (Swimming), Ella Thompson (Track & Field)
Men's Newcomer of The Year
Awarded to a men's first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.
Austin Snodgrass
Raymond, Washington / Raymond HS
Football, Track & Field
Other Finalists: Kai Brown (Basketball), Rory McKee (Soccer), Hudson Snyder (Tennis), Trevor Sostman (Baseball)
Women's Academic Team of the Year
Awarded to the women's teams who attained the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester.
Cross Country
Other Women's Finalists: Soccer,Tennis, Triathlon
Men's Academic Team of the Year
Awarded to the men's teams who attained the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester.
Tennis
Other Men's Finalists: Golf, Tennis, Track & Field
Women's Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards
Awarded to a women's student-athlete who excels through the rigors of academics and athletics at Willamette. The men's and women's senior student-athletes who have achieved the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester receive this award.
Jacqueline Hall
Bainbridge Island, Washington / Bainbridge HS
Swimming
Men's Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards
Awarded to a men's student-athlete who excels through the rigors of academics and athletics at Willamette. The men's and women's senior student-athletes who have achieved the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester receive this award.
Krisna LaFrance
Seattle, Washington / Ballard HS
Soccer
SAAC Bearcat Cup
Competition for the Bearcat Cup is designed to increase school spirit by Willamette student-athletes and to encourage participation on campus and in Salem. Points are awarded to teams for attending home and away games, participating in community service, attending non-athletics campus events, and attending Athletic Department events. The team with the highest point total wins the Bearcat Cup.
Women's Basketball
Julie Abendroth, Ed.D., Professor of the Year
In memory of Professor Julie Abendroth, whose dedication to Willamette student-athletes was not limited to the classroom. She was a mentor and a friend of our student-athletes.
Presented by the Willamette Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to a Willamette University professor demonstrating devotion to the pursuit of excellence by our student-athletes in both academics and athletics.
Nicole Iroz-Elardo
Assistant Professor of Public Health
Alumnus of the Year
Presented by the Willamette University coaches in honor of an alumnus who demonstrates a lifelong connection and commitment to Bearcat Athletics, its coaches and its student-athletes.
Tobias Read '97
Oregon Secretary of State
Sue J. Rauch Distinguished Service to Athletics Award
Presented by the Willamette University coaches in memory of Sue Rauch, a dedicated member of the Willamette community, whose continuous support and commitment served a vital role in the success of the Bearcat Athletics Department, its coaches and its student-athletes.
Jessica Cardinal-Lanier
Director of the Advising Program