Braeden Troyer Named a Candidate for the Senior CLASS Award

Sept. 3, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gamecock senior defender Braeden Troyer earned one of 30 spots on the Senior CLASS Award’s candidate list for men’s soccer in 2014, the award’s managers announced.

Troyer, a four-year starter, is a three-time Conference USA Academic Medal winner as well as a three-time member of the league’s postseason teams, the last two years making the second team. A Columbia, South Carolina native, Troyer has helped the Gamecocks to a C-USA crown in 2011 as well as an NCAA Tournament appearance that season.

A co-captain this year alongside Mahamoudou “Mo” Kaba, Troyer helps anchor a Gamecock backline that held Belmont without a shot on goal in the season’s first contest.

Braeden Troyer is an outstanding candidate for the Senior CLASS Award,” said Gamecock head coach Mark Berson. “He has consistently excelled both in the classroom and on the field for us during his entire career. He is an honor student, a captain and leader on the field, and is respected by everyone on the team and in our program. He has certainly demonstrated also that he will merit a shot at playing professionally at the next level.”

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To qualify for nomination, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas – community, classroom, character and competition.

Midway through the 2014 season, the list of 30 candidates will be trimmed to 10 finalists, who will make up the official ballot. Media, coaches and fans all have a vote to pick the best male and female candidates for the award.

Troyer joins Jimmy Maurer as a Gamecock who made the candidate list.

South Carolina continues its season on Sunday at 7 p.m. when it hosts Mercer at Stone Stadium.