From the Desk of Jeremiah Donati, No. 15
South Carolina Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati discusses the hot topics around Gamecock Athletics
DEAR GAMECOCKS:
The 2025-26 athletic season is in its final stretch. A few weeks ago, the University held their spring commencement ceremonies where 92 student-athletes crossed the stage and officially became alums. Check out the full list here. I want to congratulate these student-athletes and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
A lot of great things have happened since my last newsletter and I want to share those with you.
EQUESTRIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Our equestrian team captured the 2026 NCEA National Championship! They dominated all season, with three victories over the top-ranked team. Congratulations to head coach Carol Gwin and the entire coaching staff, our student-athletes and all those that help ensure our team can continue to compete at the highest level!
WELCOME HOME TRICK WILLIAMS
This past weekend, former Gamecock football student-athlete, Matrick Belton, returned home to Columbia as the current WWE United States Champion for Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown, which was broadcast live from Colonial Life Arena. If you missed any of the action, check out his welcome home including a special appearance by Cocky!
SPRING EVENTS RECAP
April and May have been busy for our department. In addition to our athletic competitions, we hosted the first ever Garnet & Black Spring Fest featuring a block party with football student-athletes signing autographs and a concert featuring Darius Rucker and Lauren Alaina, the Cocky Trot with over 3,000 participants and the Gamecock Club’s Garnet & Black Road Trip.
I want to thank all of you that attended these events. I especially want to thank the numerous Athletics Department staff who put in countless hours to make these events an amazing success.
Our department will continue to strive to bring new and exciting events that give everyone a chance to gather and celebrate what it means to be a Gamecock.
NFL DRAFT
Congratulations to Brandon Cisse (Green Bay Packers), Nick Barrett (Los Angeles Chargers) and Jalon Kilgore (Buffalo Bills) for being a part of the 2026 draft class. We look forward to watching you represent the Gamecocks in the NFL!
WNBA DRAFT
Head Coach Dawn Staley and our women’s basketball coaching staff continue to develop WNBA talent here at Carolina. Three of our student-athletes were selected in the WNBA Draft. Congratulations to Raven Johnson (Indiana Fever), Madina Okot (Atlanta Dream) and Ta’Niya Latson (Los Angeles Sparks). We cannot wait to see what you accomplish in the WNBA!
CONGRATULATIONS DAWN STALEY
Head Coach Dawn Staley was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Founded in 1780, the academy is an honorary society that recognizes and celebrates the excellence of its members and an independent research center convening leaders from across disciplines to address significant challenges. Coach Staley joins Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr. and Madeleine Albright as a member of this prestigious society.
SWIMMING HONORS
Sophie Verzyl continues to be recognized for her accomplishments on the diving board. She was recently named a finalist for the 2026 Honda Sport Award for Swimming and Diving, the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America Diver of the Year, and the SEC Diver of the Year.
Head Dive Coach, Juan Estevez was recognized by the conference as well, being named this year’s SEC Dive Coach of the Year.
Congratulations to Sophie and Juan!
POSTSEASON GAMECOCKS
We have had multiple teams and individuals make it to the NCAA postseason this spring.
- Men’s Golf began NCAA play today at the Columbus Regional
- Women’s Golf had a quartet of players selected to compete as individuals at NCAA Regionals (Eila Galitsky, Variana Heck, Maylis Lamoure and Molly McLean)
- Softball advanced to the NCAA Regional Final for the fourth straight season
- Men’s Tennis advanced to their sixth straight NCAA Super Regional
- Women’s Tennis advanced to the NCAA Round of 32 after receiving their 31st consecutive NCAA Tournament Berth
- Track & Field will begin competition in the NCAA East Regional later this month, marking the third consecutive year being a part of postseason competition
EQUESTRIAN POSTSEASON AWARDS
In addition to capturing the 2026 NCEA National Championship, multiple equestrian student-athletes received post season honors. Alexis Potts was named the NCEA Horsemanship Rider of the Year and the SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Year, Grace Rabb was named the SEC Fences Rider of the Year and Lillian Laney was named the SEC Newcomer Horsemanship Rider of the Year.
Head Coach Carol Gwin was also named the NCEA Dual Discipline Head Coach of the Year and Western Coach TR Potts was named the NCEA Western Coach of the Year.
Congratulations to these student-athletes and coaching staff for their accomplishments this season!
LEADING THE CONFERENCE IN THE CLASSROOM
It was recently announced that 77 USC student-athletes were named to the 2025-26 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll. The Gamecocks tied for the greatest number of student-athletes receiving this honor. South Carolina leads all SEC schools this year combining the Fall and Winter Academic Honor Rolls. Congratulations to our student-athletes who are excelling in the classroom.
GOLF GAMECOCKS
Women’s golf sophomore Eila Galitsky recently made her fourth Augusta National Women’s Amateur appearance. Since 2019, head coach Kalen Anderson has had eight different players make a total of 13 ANWA appearances.
Redshirt senior men’s golf student-athlete, Frankie Harris, cemented his name in the South Carolina men’s golf record books, winning the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate. The win gives him the most career individual victories in Gamecock golf history.
GAMECOCK GALA RECAP
In April, we hosted our annual Gamecock Gala, which honors our top student-athletes for their accomplishments during the 2025-26 academic year. Congratulations to all our student-athletes who took home awards:
- Boyd McWhorter Scholarship – Female: Ruby Voortmeyer (Equestrian)
- Boyd McWhorter Scholarship – Male: Kyle Korvick (Swimming & Diving)
- Brad E. Davis Outstanding Community Service – Female: Amy Riordan (Swimming & Diving)
- Brad E. Davis Outstanding Community Service – Male: Quinn Buck (Swimming & Diving)
- Dodie Academic MVP Award: Emerson Madonia (Equestrian)
- New Student-Athlete of the Year: Alexis Potts (Equestrian)
- Female Freshman of the Year: Agot Makeer (Basketball)
- Male Freshman of the Year: Paul Barbie Gazeu (Tennis)
- Female Scholar Athlete of the Year: VB Trost (Beach Volleyball)
- Male Scholar Athlete of the Year: Edouard Lecrivain (Track & Field)
- Team Impact Award: Equestrian
- Gamecock Leadership Award: Mahaley Gann (Equestrian)
- Gamecock Inspiration Award: Ella Lucas (Track & Field)
- Female Athlete of the Year: Sophie Verzyl (Swimming & Diving)
- Male Athlete of the Year: Josiah Wrice (Track & Field)
- President’s Award: Sophie Verzyl (Swimming & Diving)
STUDENT-ATHLETE HONORS
Congratulations to our student-athletes who have recently received conference honors.
- Frankie Harris – Men’s Golf: SEC Golfer of the Week (announced Mar. 25)
- Olivia Cardi – Equestrian: NCEA Reining Rider of the Month (announced Mar. 25)
- Alexis Potts – Equestrian: NCEA Horsemanship Rider of the Month (announced Mar. 25)
- Amp Phillips – Baseball: SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week (announced Apr. 13)
- Brooke Balue & Rachel Hartmann – Beach Volleyball: Big 12 Beach Volleyball Pair of the Week (announced Apr. 21)
- JaMessia Ford – Track & Field: SEC Women’s Runner of the Week (announced Apr. 28)
As summer approaches, it’s a great time for us to reflect on all of the great things that have happened this past year. None of what we do here at Carolina is possible without your continued support. Thank you for your loyalty to Gamecock Athletics!
FOREVER TO THEE!
