April 20, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Athletics Department held its annual Gamecock Gala on Monday evening at Colonial Life Arena. The event honored the University’s student-athletes for their accomplishments during the 2014-15 campaign. Student-athletes, administrators, coaches and special guests attended the elegant event, which featured a red carpet entrance, heavy hors d’oeuvres and special awards ceremony.
Sabrina D’Angelo is the most decorated student-athlete in South Carolina women’s soccer history. A mainstay in the net since stepping foot in Columbia, she finished her career ranked second in school history with 29 shutouts and 241 saves, while allowing just .764 goals per match. The two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year earned All-SEC honors in each of her four seasons in the Garnet and Black and became the program’s first two-time First-Team All-America selection. She also earned First-Team Scholar All-America honors twice. A team captain, D’Angelo was the first MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in South Carolina history.
The 2015 Garnet Award, which symbolizes passion and devotion for Gamecock Athletics, was presented to Ken and Cyndi Long. Their family business has served the community for generations, and they have turned their personal successes into a commitment to further the development of South Carolina’s student-athletes.
A complete list of award winners for the 2015 Gamecock Gala are listed below:
SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Award: Erika Rucker (track and field), Cole Miller (swimming)
SEC Brad Davis Community Service Award: Taylor Leach (women’s soccer), Damiere Byrd (football)
Female New Student-Athletes of the Year: A’ja Wilson (basketball), Savannah McCaskill (soccer)
Male New Student-Athlete of the Year: Akram Mahmoud (swimming)
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Adele Norton (equestrian)
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Braeden Troyer (soccer)
Community Outreach Team of the Year: Women’s Soccer
Female Athlete of the Year: Tiffany Mitchell (basketball)
Earnest Brooks Male Athletes of the Year: Cole Miller (swimming), Will Starke (golf)
Gamecock Inspiration Award: Olivia Hassler (track and field)
The Garnet Award: Ken and Cyndi Long
The President’s Award: Sabrina D’Angelo (soccer)
Team MVPs
Women’s Basketball: Tiffany Mitchell
Men’s Basketball: Duane Notice
Cheerleading: Taryn Applebaum
Carolina Girls Dance Team: Ashlyn Eadie
Equestrian: Amber Henter
Football: Dylan Thompson
Women’s Golf: Justine Dreher
Men’s Golf: Will Starke, Matt NeSmith
Women’s Soccer: Stevi Parker
Men’s Soccer: Braeden Troyer
Softball (based on 2014 season): Ashlyn Masters
Women’s Swimming and Diving: Meredith Vay
Men’s Swimming and Diving: Cole Miller
Women’s Tennis: Meghan Blevins
Men’s Tennis: Kyle Koch
Women’s Indoor Track and Field: Briana Haith
Men’s Indoor Track and Field: Jermaine Collier
Women’s Outdoor Track and Field (based on 2014 season): Sarah Graham
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field (based on 2014 season): Kaleb Zuidema
Cross Country: Anna Todd
Volleyball: Mikaela Christiaansen
Sand Volleyball: Megan Kent, Paige Wheeler
