Something to Crow About

Gamecock Good News Summary

• 48 wins vs. Top 25 teams in 12 different sports during the 2025-26 season
• Three Gamecock sports lead nation in average attendance
• 113 different Gamecock student-athletes received a national, regional, conference or institutional end-of-season or weekly awards in 2025-26.
• 50 Conference and Ten National Player of the Week honors in 2025-26
• 61 Student-Athletes earn Post-Season Honors
• 46 Student-Athletes Post-Season Academic Honors
• 11 Gamecock teams are currently ranked in Top 25
• Seven SEC Team and Individual Champions & Three National Team & Individual Champions
• 18 of South Carolina’s 21 sports have finished in Top 25 in last three+ seasons (since 2022-23).
• Since 2015, Carolina has had 4,353 SEC Academic Honor Roll recipients, leading all conference programs.

ATHLETICS SUCCESS 2025-26

So far in this athletic season, 12 different Gamecock teams have had 48 Top 25 head-to-head wins this season:

1. 21 (H) – Women’s Soccer def. #25 Ohio State, 1-0
2. 12 (H) – Volleyball def. #25 North Carolina, 3-2
3. 13 (A) – Men’s Soccer def. #11 UNC Greensboro, 1-0
4. 26 (H) – Equestrian def. #2 SMU, 10-9
5. 8 (H) – Women’s Swimming def. #12 Georgia, 157-141
6. 17 (H) – Equestrian def. #4 Texas A&M, 14-6
7. 2 (H) – Volleyball def. #25 Florida, 3-1
8. 15 (N) – Women’s Basketball def. #8 Southern California, 69-52
9. 4 (A) – Women’s Basketball def. #22 Louisville, 79-77
10. 15 (H) – Women’s Basketball def. #4 Texas, 68-65
11. 25 (H) – Women’s Basketball def. #5 Vanderbilt, 103-74
12. 7 (H) – Equestrian def. #1 Auburn, 10-9
13. 8 (H) – Women’s Basketball def. #19 Tennessee, 93-50
14. 10 (H) – Women’s Tennis def. #21 Clemson, 4-3
15. 14 (H) – Equestrian def. #1 Georgia, 16-3
16. 14 (H) – Women’s Basketball def. #6 LSU, 79-72
17. 20 (N) – Beach Volleyball def. #17 North Florida, 3-2
18. 21 (A) – Men’s Tennis def. #21 Oklahoma, 4-3
19. 22 (H) – Women’s Basketball def. #17 Ole Miss, 85-48
20. 27 (H) – Baseball def. #15 Clemson, 7-0
21. March 1 (A) – Men’s Tennis def. #16 Florida, 5-2
22. March 1 (A) – Women’s Basketball def. #16 Kentucky, 60-56
23. March 6 (N) – Women’s Basketball def. #17 Kentucky, 87-64
24. March 7 (N) – Women’s Basketball def. #6 LSU, 83-77
25. March 15 (N) – Women’s Golf def. #18 Florida State, 3-2
26. March 17 (N) – Women’s Golf def. #17 Ole Miss, 4.5-0.5
27. March 20 (H) – Softball def. #22 LSU, 6-5 (12 innings)
28. March 22 (H) – Baseball def. #4 Arkansas, 9-4
29. March 27 (N) – Beach Volleyball def. #11 Arizona State, 3-2
30. March 28 (N) – Women’s Basketball def. #10 Oklahoma, 94-68
31. March 28 (A) – Softball def. #12 Mississippi State, 2-0
32. March 29 (A) – Men’s Tennis def. #23 Auburn, 4-3
33. March 30 (N) – Women’s Basketball def. #14 TCU, 78-52
34. April 2 (H) – Women’s Tennis def. #15 Tennessee, 4-1
35. April 2 (H) – Baseball def. #2 Texas, 9-1
36. April 3 (N) – Women’s Basketball def. #1 Connecticut, 62-48
37. April 3 (A) – Softball def. #7 Tennessee, 5-1
38. April 4 (H) – Men’s Tennis def. #19 Vanderbilt, 4-1
39. April 4 (N) – Beach Volleyball def. #14 Hawaii, 3-2
40. April 16 (N) – Men’s Tennis def. #25 Ole Miss, 4-1
41. April 16 (N) – Equestrian def. #4 SMU, 11-8
42. April 17 (A) – Beach Volleyball def. #14 Stetson, 4-1
43. April 17 (N) – Equestrian def. #1 Auburn, 11-8
44. April 18 (N) – Equestrian def. #5 Texas A&M, 10-10 (Points)
45. April 23 (N) – Beach Volleyball def. #18 Boise State, 4-1
46. April 24 (H) – Softball def. #10 Texas A&M, 3-1
47. April 26 (H) – Softball def. #10 Texas A&M, 2-1
48. May 2 (H) – Men’s Tennis def. #16 Michigan State, 4-1

Carolina currently has 11 of its teams ranked in the top 25 of its respective sport rankings (as of May 5, 2026):

• Equestrian – 1^st (NCEA National Champions)
• Women’s Basketball – 2^nd (NCAA)
• Women’s Outdoor Track & Field – 4^th (USTFCCCA)
• Men’s Indoor Track & Field – 7th (NCAA)
• Women’s Indoor Track & Field – 8^th (NCAA)
• Men’s Tennis – 13^th (ITA)
• Cross Country – 15^th – Final (USTFCCA / NCAA)
• Beach Volleyball – 15^th (AVCA)
• Women’s Swimming & Diving – 19^th (NCAA)
• Softball – 23^rd (ESPN/USA Softball – Softball America)
• Women’s Golf – 24^th (Clippd)

• Individual Rankings
  • Women’s Golf – 12^th – Eila Galitsky (World Amateur Golf Rankings) / 40^th – Clippd Rankings; Vairana Heck – 38^th (Clippd Rankings)
  • Men’s Golf: 9^th – Frankie Harris (PGA Tour University Rankings) / 15^th – Clippd Rankings
  • Men’s Tennis (Individual ITA Rankings): Singles – 14^th – Lucas Da Silva; 73^rd – Sean Daryabeigi; 85^th – Paul Barbier Gazeu; Doubles – 6^th – Lucas DaSilva/Paul Barbier Gazeu; 63^rd – Lucas DaSilva/Sean Daryabeigi; 65^th – Max Stenzer/Sean Daryabeigi
  • Women’s Tennis (ITA Rankings): Singles – 43^nd– Helena Buchwald; 41^st – Kaitlyn Carnicella; Doubles – 12^th – Lauren Friedman/Helena Buchwald; 88^th – Kaitlyn Carnicella/Anna Bella Bianca Bergqvist Larsson

18 of South Carolina’s 21 sponsored sports have finished in the Top 25 of its respective sports poll/ratings in at least one season since 2022-23 athletic year (3+ seasons).  The list includes (last time in final Top 25 or highest finish during 3+year span):

• Women’s Basketball – 1st (National Champions 2023-24)
• Equestrian – 1st (NCEA Championship 2026)
• Women’s Golf – T5th (NCAA Championship 2023)
• Men’s Tennis – T5th (NCAA Championship 2023)
• Baseball – 6th (NCAA RPI 2023)
• Men’s Indoor Track – 7th (NCAA Championships 2026)
• Women’s Outdoor Track – 7th (USTFCCCA 2025)
• Women’s Indoor Track – 8th (NCAA Championships 2026)
• Women’s Soccer – 9th (US Soccer Coaches 2022)
• Softball – 10th (ESPN.com/USA Softball 2025)
• Cross Country – 15th (NCAA Championships 2025)
• Women’s Swimming and Diving – 19th (NCAA Championships 2026)
• Beach Volleyball – 15th (AVCA 2026)
• Football – 19th (AFCA/AP 2024)
• Men’s Golf – 19th (NCAA Championship 2025)
• Women’s Tennis – 20th (ITA 2023-24)
• Men’s Basketball – 23rd (Coaches 2023-24)
• Men’s Outdoor Track – 23rd (USTFCCCA 2025)

The Gamecock women’s basketball team finished as the national runners-up in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.  During the last 12 NCAA Tournaments, the Gamecocks have:

• Three National Championships
• Two National Runners-Up
• 8 Final Fours including 6 Consecutive Appearances (longest active streak in men’s / women’s basketball)
• 12 Sweet Sixteens
• Have won 49 NCAA Tournament games (average of 4.1 wins per year)

The Gamecock equestrian team def. 2^nd-seeded Texas A&M, 10-10 (points tie-breaker), in the NCEA National Championship on April 18 at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla.  It marks the first National Championship for the program since 2015 and the fourth overall for the Gamecocks (2005, 2007, 2015, 2026).  It marks the third national title in four years for Coach Carol Gwin (2023, 2024 at SMU; 2026 at USC).  Natalie Jayne (Flat), Alexis Potts (Horsemanship) and Emily Patton (Reigning) were named Most Outstanding Performers of the championship.

In its first trip to the NCAA Championships, the Gamecock Cross Country team placed 15^th in the championships, held Nov. 22 in Columbia, Mo.  The Gamecocks placed second in the NCAA Southeast Regionals and third in the SEC Championships.  The #15 ranking is the highest ever for the Carolina cross country program.  Salma Elbadra was named USTFCCCA All-American and All-Region.  Abir Reffas, Anya Arroyo and Teresa Cherotich also were named All-Region.

For the first time since 2005, the Gamecock men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams both finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.  The men finished tied for 7^th while the women placed 8^th in the meet.  For the men, this was the first time since 2010 with a Top 10 finish and the best overall finish since placing fourth in 2003. As for the women, this was the first Top 10 placement since finishing seventh in 2019.  The Gamecock men’s 4×400 meter relay made history, becoming the first Gamecock quartet to win the NCAA Indoor Championship crown. Josiah Wrice, Jasauna Dennis, Devan Crumpton and Andrew Salvodon earned the trophy after running 3:02.07, earning First Team All-American honors in the process.

The Gamecock women’s swimming and diving team finished 19^th at the 2026 NCAA Championships, the highest in program history since placing 11^th in 2004.  Senior Sophie Verzyl won the NCAA Championship in the 3-meter and finished 2nd in the 1-meter dive.  She finishes her Gamecock career with four All-American honors.  Verzyl is also a finalist for the 2026 Honda Sports Award for Swimming and Diving.

The Gamecock women’s indoor track and field team had its best SEC Championship finish since 2009, placing 5^th in the meet, February 26-28, in College Station, Texas.

The Gamecock men’s and women’s tennis teams have earned NCAA Tournament bids in 2026.  The men’s squad will host first and second rounds at the Carolina Tennis Center, hosting Richmond, North Carolina and Michigan State.  The men’s squad will be making its 31^st appearance in NCAA Tournament play in program history.  The women’s program will be making its 31^stconsecutive appearance in NCAA Tournament play, participating in the Chapel Hill Regional, competing against North Carolina, Maryland and Charleston Southern.

The Gamecock men’s tennis doubles team of Sean Daryabeigi and Max Stenzer reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Doubles Championship, earning All-America status for the 2025-26 season.

Four South Carolina Gamecock women’s golfers have earned an invitation to compete in the 2026 NCAA Regionals.  Junior Vairana Heck (Ranked No. 38), junior Maylis Lamoure (No. 161), sophomore Eila Galitsky (No. 40) and freshman Molly McLean (No. 147) all received at-large bids to compete at NCAA Regionals (May 11-13). All four are ranked inside the top-170 of the latest Clippd Player Rankings.  It is the first time in NCAA history that four individuals have been invited to compete in the NCAA Regionals in the same season.

Redshirt senior All-American Frankie Harris has won three golf tournaments this season, including the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate on March 24.  This season, he has also taken medalist honors at the Puerto Rico Classic and the Gopher Invitational.  The Boca Raton, Fla. native has won six individual titles as a Gamecock, which gives him the most career individual victories in program history (5, Kyle Thompson, 1997-2001).

Three Gamecocks were taken in the 2026 WNBA Draft, held on April 13 – Raven Johnson (Round 1, 10^th overall – Indiana Fever), Madina Okot (Round 1, 13^th overall – Atlanta Dream), Ta’Niya Latson (Round 2, 20^th overall 0 Los Angeles Sparks).  At least one Gamecock has been selected in 10 of the last 12 WNBA Drafts, including 13 first-round selections, and South Carolina leads the nation with 15 overall and eight first-round picks since 2020.

Junior Alexis Potts was named the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) Horsemanship Rider of the Year, announced on April 15. The honor is the first of Potts’ career, and just the second NCEA Rider of the Year nod in program history (Caroline Gute, 2019-20).

Three Gamecocks were taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pa.  Cornerback Brandon Cisse was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 20^th pick of the second round (52^nd player selected overall).  Defensive tackle Nick Barrett was taken by the Los Angeles Chargers with the fifth pick of the fifth round (145th player selected overall) and defensive back Jalon Kilgore was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 27^th pick in the fifth round (167^th player selected overall).  Carolina has had at least three players selected in the NFL Draft in the last eight drafts (since 2019).

Beach Volleyball finished its season with a 22-10 overall record and a #15 ranking in the final AVCA Poll.  The ranking is the third highest final ranking in program history.  It is the highest final national ranking for the Gamecocks since the 2018 season, when they finished 8^th overall.  Carolina also finished 8^th in the final 2017 poll.

South Carolina Athletics held its annual Gamecock Gala on April 27 at Colonial Life Arena.  The event honored the University’s top student-athletes for their accomplishments during the 2025-26 academic year.  Award recipients are listed below:

2026 GAMECOCK GALA AWARD WINNERS:
H. Boyd McWhorter Scholarship – Female: Ruby Voortmeyer (Equestrian)
H. 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)

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS & HONORS

2025-26 SEC/Sun Belt/Big 12 Players/Athletes of the Week

There have been 50 Conference Player of the Week, and 10 National Player of the Week mentions for the Gamecocks from 13 different Carolina sports:

• Football (4):
  • (Special Teams) Vicari Swain vs. South Carolina State
  • (Defense) Fred Johnson / (Special Teams) Vicari Swain vs. Virginia Tech
  • (Co-Defensive Lineman) Bryan Thomas, Jr. vs. Kentucky
• Cross Country (3) –
  • Teresa Cherotich in Covered Bridge Open
  • Salma Elbadra in Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational
  • Salma Elbadra in Crimson Classic
• Women’s Basketball (5) –
  • Joyce Edwards vs. Clemson, Southern California
  • Madina Okot vs. Louisville, North Carolina Central
  • Joyce Edwards vs. South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast
  • Joyce Edwards vs. Mississippi State, Tennessee
  • Madina Okot vs. Alabama, Ole Miss
• Women’s Soccer (2) –
  • (Defense) Taylor Bloom vs. Clemson & Georgia State
  • (Defense) Gracie Falla vs. Ohio State & Miami (Ohio)
• Men’s Soccer (Sun Belt) (5) –
  • (Offense) Tyler Trimmal, (Defense) Yvan Malarte vs. FIU & Charlotte
  • (Offense) Ethan Ballek, (Defense) William Nilsson vs. Winthrop, UNC Greensboro
  • (Defense) Mika Habel vs. Queens, James Madison
• Women’s Golf (2) –
  • Eila Galitsky at ANNIKA Intercollegiate and Stephens Cup
  • (Freshman) Molly McLean at Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational
• Men’s Golf (6) –
  • Frankie Harris at Gopher Invitational
  • (Freshman) August Petersson at Minnesota Golf Classic
  • (Co-Golfer) Frankie Harris and (Freshman) Talan Harrison at Puerto Rico Classic
  • (Freshman) Talan Harrison at The Hayt
  • (Golfer) Frankie Harris at The Hootie at Bulls Bay
• Swimming and Diving (7) –
  • Sophie Verzyl (Women’s Diving) vs. Georgia & Arkansas
  • Sophie Verzyl (Women’s Diving) vs. North Carolina
  • Amy Riordan (Women’s Swimming) vs. North Carolina
  • Sophie Verzyl (Women’s Diving) at Tennessee Diving Invitational
  • Sophie Verzyl (Women’s Diving) vs. Virginia Tech
  • Sophie Verzyl (Women’s Diving) at Georgia Tech
  • Sophie Verzyl (Women’s Diving) at SEC Championships (Female Diver of the Meet)
• Track and Field (8) –
  • Jathiyah Muhammad (Women’s Co-Freshman) in Gamecock Opener
  • Jaouad Khchina (Men’s Runner), Andrew Salvodon (Men’s Freshman) and Zaya Akins (Women’s Runner) in Orange & White Invitational
  • Jathiyah Muhammad (Women’s Co-Freshman) in Razorback Invitational
  • 4x400m Relay Team (Josiah Wrice, Jasauna Dennis, Devan Crumpton, Andrew Salvodon) in Tiger Paw Invitational
  • Eline Mast (Women’s Runner) in USC Invite
  • JaMeesia Ford (Women’s Runner) in Tiger Track Classic
• Men’s Tennis (4) –
  • Lucas da Silva (Player of the Week), Paul Barbier Gazeu (Freshman of the Week) vs. S.C. State & Duke
  • Lucas da Silva (Player of the Week), Charlie Swaine (Co-Freshman of the Week) vs. Oklahoma & Arkansas
• Baseball (3) –
  • Will Craddock (Co-Freshman) vs. Gardner-Webb, Army, Navy, Air Force
  • Josh Gunther (Pitcher) vs. Clemson
  • Amp Phillips (Pitcher) vs. Missouri
• Beach Volleyball (1) (Big 12)
  • Brooke Balue/Rachel Hartmann in Deland Cup

2025-26 National Players/Athletes of the Week/Month (14 individuals)

• Men’s Soccer (1) – Ethan Ballek (TopDrawerSoccer)
• Women’s Basketball (5) – Ta’Niya Latson (USBWA National Player of the Week vs Winthrop & Queens); Madina Okut (USBWA National Player of the Week vs. Louisville & North Carolina Central); Joyce Edwards (USBWA National Player of the Week vs. South Florida & Florida Gulf Coast); Joyce Edwards (USBWA National Player of th Week vs. Mississippi State, Tennessee); Madina Okut (USBWA National Player of the Week vs. Alabama, Ole Miss).
• Men’s Indoor Track & Field (2) – Jaouad Khchina (USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week); 4x400m Relay Team (Josiah Wrice, Jasauna Dennis, Devan Crumpton, Andrew Salvodon – USTFCCCA Athlete of the Week in Tiger Paw Invitational)
• Equestrian (6) – Olivia Cardi – NCEA Rider of the Month (March – Reining), NCEA All-Championship Team (Reining); Alexis Potts – NCEA Rider of the Month (March – Horsemanship), NCEA All-Championship Team (Horsemanship); Natalie Jayne – NCEA All-Championship Team (Flat); Vanessa McCaughley – NCEA All-Championship Team (Flat); Amira Kettaneh – NCEA All-Championship Team (Fences); Emily Patton – NCEA All-Championship Team (Reining).

2025-26 End-of-Season Awards/Recognitions (61 individuals)

• Women’s Soccer (5) –
  • Gracie Falla – SEC Defender of the Year / First-Team All-SEC
  • Katie Shea Collins – First-Team All-SEC
  • Taylor Bloom – Third-Team All-SEC
  • Cuyler Zulauf – Third-Team All-SEC
  • Mackenzie Johnson – SEC All-Freshman Team
• Men’s Soccer (2) –
  • Ethan Ballek – Second-Team All-Sun Belt
  • Matthew DeJianne – Sun Belt All-Freshman Team
• Cross Country (1) –
  • Salma Elbadra – All-American
• Men’s Tennis (4) –
  • Sean Daryabeigi and Max Stenzer – All-American/Doubles Team; Lucas da Silva – 1^st Team All-SEC; Paul Barbier Gazeu – 2^nd Team All-SEC/SEC All-Freshman Team
• Women’s Tennis (1) –
  • Kaitlyn Carnicella – Second-Team All-SEC
• Football (6) –
  • Dylan Stewart – 2^nd Team All-SEC)
  • Jalon Kilgore – 2^nd Team All-SEC
  • Bryan Thomas, Jr. – 3^rd Team All-SEC
  • Vicari Swain – 3^rd Team All-SEC
  • Mason Love – SEC All-Freshman
  • Max Kelley – SEC All-Freshman
• Women’s Basketball (5) –
  • Raven Johnson – SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Second-Team All-SEC, SEC All-Defensive Team; 1^st Team All-American (WBCA); 3^rd Team All-American (Associated Press); honorable mention All-America, USA Today, USBWA; NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team)
  • Joyce Edwards – 1^st Team All-SEC; All-American (WBCA, Wooden All-America Team); 2^nd Team All-American (The Athletic, USA Today, ESPN, The Sporting News, USBWA, Associated Press)
  • Tessa Johnson – 2^nd Team All-SEC
  • Ta’Niya Latson – 2^nd Team All-SEC); Honorable Mention All-American (Associated Press, WBCA; NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team)
  • Madina Okot – 2^nd Team All-SEC
• Swimming and Diving (3) –
  • Sophie Verzyl – SEC Diver of the Year / First-Team All-SEC / College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Diver of the Year
  • Einar Augustsson – SEC All-Freshman Team
  • Juan Estevez – SEC Diving Coach of the Year
• Men’s Indoor Track & Field (10) –
  • Distance Medley Relay (Edouard Lecrivain, Andrew Salvodon, Kaleb Burroughs, Jaouad Khchina) – 1^st Team All SEC
  • 4×400 Meter Relay (Josiah Wrice, Jasauna Dennis, Devan Crumpton and Andrew Salvodon) – 1st Team All-American / National Champions
  • Tyson Williams – 200 Meters (1st Team All-American)
  • Jaouad Khchina – Mile (1st Team All-American)
  • Josiah Wrice – 400 Meters (2nd Team All-American; USTFCCCA Southeast Regional Track Athlete of the Year)
  • Logan heath – Shot Put (2nd Team All-American)
  • Andrew Salvodon – 400 Meters (2nd Team All-American)
  • Tim Hall – USTFCCCA Southeast Regional Coach of the Year
• Women’s Indoor Track & Field (10) –
  • Eline Mast, Akala Garrett, Sylvia Chelangat, Salma Elbadra (Distance Medley Relay Team – 1^st Team All SEC; 1^stTeam All-American)
  • Salma Elbadra (Mile – 1^st Team All SEC; 3,000 Meters – 1^st Team All-American)
  • Jathiyah Muhammad (Pole Vault – 1^st Team All SEC; SEC Newcomer Field Athlete of the Year; 1^st Team All-American)
  • Zaya Akins, JaMeesia Ford, Cynteria James, Akala Garrett (4x400m relay – 2^nd team All SEC; 1^st-Team All-American)
  • JaMeesia Ford (200m – 2^nd team All SEC; 1^st Team All-American)
  • Alexis Brown (SEC Co-Newcomer Runner of the Year; 2^nd Team All-American)
  • Akala Garrett – 60 Meter Hurdles (1st Team All-American)
  • Zaya Akins – 400 Meters (2nd Team All-American)
  • Brock Moreaux (USTFCCCA Southeast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year).
• Women’s Swimming and Diving (1) –
  • Sophie Verzyl – 1^st Team All-American; 3-meter diving NCAA Champion; 2^nd-place NCAA Championships; 1-meter diving
• Equestrian (11) –
  • Grace Rabb – 1^st Team All-American; 1^st Team All-SEC (Fences); SEC Co-Fences Rider of the Year
  • Natalie Jayne – 1^st Team All-American; 1^st Team All-SEC (Flat)
  • Sarah Rabb – 1^st Team All-American; 1^st Team All-SEC (Flat)
  • Carly Jenkins – 1^st Team All-American (Horsemanship)
  • Alexis Potts – NCEA Horsemanship Rider of the Year; 1^st Team All-American; 1^st Team All-SEC (Horsemanship); SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Year
  • Amira Kettaneh – 1^st Team All-SEC (Fences)
  • Lillian Laney – SEC Newcomer Horsemanship Rider of the Year
  • Olivia Cardi – 1^st Team All-SEC (Reining)
  • Emily Patton – All-SEC Freshman Team
  • Carol Gwin – NCEA Dual Discipline Coach of the Year
  • TR Potts – NCEA Western Coach of the Year
• Women’s Golf (2) –
  • Vairana Heck – 2^nd Team All-SEC
  • Eila Galitsky – 2^nd Team All-SEC

Team & Individual National Champions (3 championships)

• Equestrian NCEA Champions
• Men’s Indoor Track & Field – Josiah Wrice, Jasauna Dennis, Devan Crumpton, Andrew Salvodon (4×400 Meter Relay)
• Women’s Swimming & Diving – Sophie Verzyl (3-meter diving)

SEC Team & Individual Champions (7 championships)

• Women’s Basketball Regular Season Champions
• Women’s Swimming & Diving – Sophie Verzyl (1-meter & 3-meter diving / SEC Diver of the Meet)
• Men’s Indoor Track & Field – Edouard Lecrivain, Andrew Salvodon, Kaleb Burroughs, Jaouad Khchina (Distance Medley Relay)
• Women’s Indoor Track & Field – Eline Mast, Akala Garrett, Sylvia Chelangat, Salma Elbadra (Distance Medley Relay); Salma Elbadra (Mile); Jathiyah Muhammad (Pole Vault)

 

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

A total of 77 student-athletes were named to the 2025-26 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll.  The total is tied for the most on the 2025-26 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll with Georgia.  Thus far, in the 2025-26 academic year (counting Fall and Winter Honor Rolls), South Carolina leads all SEC schools with 205 earning Academic Honor Roll status.  Since the 2015-16 academic year, USC has the most student-athletes earning SEC Academic Honor Roll status with 4,430 on the list.

All USC countable intercollegiate sports posted a multiyear score of 950 or better, according to the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR), announced May 5.  Carolina had nine sports reach a perfect single-year score (1000) for the 2024-25 academic year.  Fifteen of the 18 sports maintained or improved on their previous year’s APR scores.  Twelve of the 18 measured sports surpassed the national multi-year average while volleyball registered a perfect single-year score for the 12th-straight year. Beach Volleyball continues its streak of perfect APR scoring since the NCAA started collecting data for the sport.

2025-26 Academic Honors (46 individuals)

• Volleyball (2) – Sarah Jordan and Emily Beeker (CSC Volleyball Academic All-District Team)
• Men’s Soccer (6) – William Nilsson, Ethan Ballek, Isaiah Whittaker-Francis, Mika Habel, Andrew Goldsworthy and Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez (CSC Men’s Soccer Academic All-District Team)
• Women’s Soccer (5) – Maggie Taitano, Amanda Patrick, Cuyler Zulauf, Micah Bryant and Reagan Schubach (CSC Women’s Soccer Academic All-District Team)
• Football (6) – David Bucey, Nyck Harbor, Brady Hunt, William Joyce and Mason Love (CSC Football Academic All-District Team); Luke Doty, Brady Hunt, William Joyce (2026 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society)
• Cross Country (3) – For the 27th time in program history, Cross Country was named USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. In addition, Anya Arroyo, Teresa Cherotich and Abir Reffas were each named All-Academic Athletes.
• Women’s Basketball (3) – Joyce Edwards (2^nd Team CSC Academic All-America); Joyce Edwards, Ta’Niya Latson, Madina Okot (CSC Women’s Basketball Academic All-District)
• Women’s Swimming & Diving (4) – Amy Riordan, Emma Reiser, Jordan Agliano, Sophie Verzyl (CSC Swimming & Diving Academic All-District)
• Men’s Swimming & Diving (3) – Pierre Largeron, Harvey Freeman, Gage Hulbert (CSC Swimming & Diving Academic All-District)
• Equestrian (14) – Alyssa Bauer, Olivia Cardi, Natalie Jayne, Carly Jenkins, Alyssa Jipping, Amira Kettaneh, Mary Hunter Millet, Alexis Potts, Grace Rabb, Sarah Rabb, Gracie Mae Stingle, Ruby Voortmeyer (1^st Team NCEA All-Academic); Mattie McNeill, Haley Turner (2^nd Team NCEA All-Academic).

SEC Community Service Team Representatives

The SEC names a Community Service Team for each of its league sponsored sports, looking to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to their community through superior service efforts.

• Quinn Buck (Men’s Swimming and Diving)
• Nyck Harbor (Football)
• Victoria Harris (Volleyball)
• Raven Johnson (Women’s Basketball)
• Bella Bergqvist Larsson (Women’s Tennis)
• Mattie McNeill (Equestrian)
• Amanda Patrick (Women’s Soccer)
• Myles Stute (Men’s Basketball)
• Sophie Verzyl (Women’s Swimming and Diving)
• Lexi Winters (Softball)

USC retained its top ranking in international business and is home to the nation’s top first-year student experience among public institutions, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual undergraduate rankings released on Sept. 23.

USC is one of less than 100 public institutions nationwide to have a Carnegie Classification for both Community Engagement and as an R1 research institution.

FOR THE FANS & THE BRAND

Gamecock Athletics is one of the biggest brands on social media.  Carolina ranks first in the SEC in YouTube subscribers, second in videos and views, 1st in Facebook engagements, 2nd in Instagram follower growth, 4th in X (Twitter) engagements and 17th nationally in total social media value.  Follow Gamecock Athletics and all sports programs on all major social media platforms!

Gamecock football finished the 2025 season with five games on Nielsen-rated networks.  The five games attracted a total of 20.68 million viewers, an average of 4.14 million viewers per game.  Those numbers were ranked 13^th highest in college football by Nielsen.

The Alabama game had 7.8 million viewers, which is the most watched regular season college football game in Gamecock program history.

The Virginia Tech game had 5.4 million viewers, which is the second most-watched regular season college football game on cable during the 2025 season.

In the last 5 seasons, 32 Gamecock women’s basketball games have had television viewership of one million viewers or more, including seven games this season.

South Carolina beach volleyball will join the Big 12 Conference starting this season, announced on Sept. 24.  South Carolina will join Boise State and Florida State in joining the league, which already included Arizona, Arizona State and TCU.

Todd Ellis received the Honorary Life Membership from the South Carolina Broadcasters Association as part of its Awards of Distinction.  The awards banquet was held on Friday, January 30.

The Gamecock Creative Media Department has received nine nominations for the Southeast Emmy Awards.  Congratulations to Ethan Styll, Justin King, Eichel Davis, Tyler Hopton, Alex Marinelli, Brett Kirkland, Dakota Watson, and Noah Whalen.  Nominations are in sports story – short form, one-time sports special, branded long form content and short form solo storytelling.

Diana Koval, Associate Athletics Director/Communications and Public Relations, has been named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Mary Jo Haverbeck Award recipient for 2026.  The award recognizes someone with distinguished service in communications to collegiate women’s basketball.  Koval received her award at the NCAA Final Four at the USBWA awards breakfast on Friday, April 3.

The University of South Carolina has been selected as a 2025 Super 11 Award winner, which recognizes the best performing College Sports Communicators departments in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, announced by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).  It’s the fourth time in the past five years that the South Carolina football communications staff, under the direction of Senior Associate Athletics Director Steve Fink, has been recognized with this prestigious award.

As of May 5, 2026, three Gamecock sports – men’s and women’s soccer and women’s basketball have led or are leading the nation in average attendance per game.

• Both men’s and women’s soccer programs led the nation in attendance, with the men’s squad averaging 3,792 fans per game and the women’s squad averaging 3,950 fans per contest. Gamecock men’s soccer has led the nation in average attendance for four straight years and women’s soccer has led the nation for three straight years.
• South Carolina has led the nation in women’s basketball average attendance for 11 straight seasons. Concluding the 2025-26 season, in 18 games, Carolina led the nation, averaging 15,368 fans per contest.
• Gamecock football averaged 79,334 fans per home game this season, 14th in the nation.
• In the Shane Beamer era, Carolina has had 25 sellouts and averaged 97.83 percent capacity in 35 home games and finished the season with 16 straight sellout crowds, a school record.
• In 33 home games, baseball is averaging 6,544 fans per game, which is 6^th in the nation.
• In 34 home games, softball is averaging 1,005 fans per game, which is 25^th in the nation,
• In 19 home games, men’s basketball averaged 10,797 fans per game, which is 34^th in the nation.
• In 14 home games, volleyball averaged 2,545 fans per game, which is 29^th in the nation.

FORMER STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS

Former South Carolina All-SEC forward Collin Murray-Boyles was one of ten rookies selected to play in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game, played on Feb. 13 as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend.  Murray-Boyles has played in 37 games (17 starts) for Toronto so far this season and averaged 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. Amongst NBA rookies, he ranks 14th in points, ninth in rebounds, 16th in assists, eighth in steals and seventh in blocks per game. Murray-Boyles is shooting 53.6% (119-of-222) from the field, including 34.9% (15-of-43) from 3 from three-point range, with three double-doubles. His field goal percentage amongst rookies is 8th in the NBA.

Two former Gamecocks – Nick Emmanwori and Ernest Jones IV – were part of the Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks.  Emmanwori was one of five finalists for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.  There have been 20 former Gamecocks that have been a part of Super Bowl Champion teams.

Former Gamecock great A’ja Wilson was voted by the WNBA and Associated Press as the 2025 WNBA Most Valuable Player, marking her second consecutive such honor.   She was also named the AP Defensive Player of the Year for the third time, leading the Las Vegas Aces to a second-place finish in the WNBA regular season.  Wilson was the MVP of the WNBA Finals, leading the Aces to their third title in the last four seasons.  Wilson was named TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2025.

The USC Athletics Hall of Fame Induction took place on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.  Inductees included Natasha Hastings (women’s track, 2005-07), Brandon Hulko (men’s diving, 1999-2002), Paul Jubb (men’s tennis, 2014-18), Akram Mahmoud (men’s swimming, 2014-18), Mollie Patton (women’s soccer, 2006-10) and A’ja Wilson (women’s basketball, 2014-18).

Former Gamecock quarterback Connor Shaw was South Carolina’s representative on the SEC’s 2025 Football Legends Class presented by T-Mobile.  The 2025 Football Legends class includes 16 former stars who excelled on the gridiron and helped write the rich history of the sport at their respective institutions. The class was honored at the 2025 SEC Football “Weekend of Champions” December 5-6 in Atlanta, Ga., highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Celebration presented by T-Mobile and the SEC Championship Game.

Former Gamecock great John Abraham has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Herschel Walker Award, an annual honor recognizing a former collegiate or professional football player who has returned to complete their undergraduate degree.  The award is given by the Maxwell Football Club.  The award will be given at its annual gala in Atlanta, Ga. on March 14.

Former South Carolina quarterback Todd Ellis will be inducted into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame as part of its 2025 class.  In his Gamecock playing career, Ellis threw for 9,519 yards and set more than 20 program passing records.  Since 2003, Ellis has served as the “Voice of the Gamecocks” on the Gamecock Sports Radio Network.  During the SCFHOF ceremonies. Emily Beamer will be recognized as the 20025 Humanitarian of the Year for her leadership through The Beamer Family Foundation.

For Gamecock pitching greats Michael Roth and Matt Price were named to the D1Baseball All-Quarter Century Team (2000-25), the website announced on Oct. 1.

Kip Bouknight and Ray Tanner will be one of 21 standouts who were inducted into the 2025 class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame on Feb. 12, 2026, in Overland Park, Kan.

Former Gamecock greats Demetria Washington Davis and Isaiah Moore were inducted into the North Carolina High School Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame on Feb. 1, 2026.

Matrick Belton, going by Trick Williams, is the current WWE United States Champion, winning the title on April 19, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Belton played football for the Gamecocks from 2014-16 (wide receiver) and graduated from USC with a degree in physical education in December 2016.