SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - The University of San Francisco Athletic Department held its 14th Annual Hilltop Awards this past Friday, May 9 on the university's Hilltop campus.

Remarks on Friday evening included contributions from USF Director of Athletics Larry Williams, Deputy Athletics Director Stephanie Shrieve-Hawkins and Executive Sr. Associate Athletics Director Frank Allocco as student-athletes where honored for their academic and athletic excellence during the 2024-25 school year.

Following another tremendous year, Riana Mission (women's golf) took home the Anne Dolan Female Athlete of the Year for the second straight year while Reid Roberts (men's soccer) received the Bill Russell Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year award.

Abigail Lotz (triathlon) and Carter Lewis (cross country/track & field) both won the Dante Benedetti Award, which is given annually to the male and female student-athletes who serve as an inspiration to their teammates through their unwavering sense of loyalty, self-sacrifice, unselfishness, positive attitude and hard work.

All-WCC Second Team selection Emma Trawally Porta (women's basketball) and Eddison Esquivel (baseball) were both honored with the Newcomer of the Year awards.

The Stephen J. Privett, S.J. Award, which honors a student-athlete or team who demonstrated a commitment to a higher standard of learning and social justice through their outstanding work in the community, was given to Sophia Priester-Veasley (track & field) and Morgan McDonough (men's golf).

Noga Gottlieb (triathlon) took home the Charles Haney Academic Award, which is given annually to the senior student-athlete who has maintained the highest-grade point average during their time at USF. Gottlieb will be graduating this May with an undergraduate degree in Computer Science.

Following a second-place finish in the fall, the USF men's soccer team received the Spirit of '51 Award for the second straight year. This honor is given annually to a team that embodies success both on the field and in the classroom by creating leaders who are ready to make an impact in the world. The award is named in honor of USF's undefeated, untied and uninvited 1951 football team whose supreme triumph came in its stand against racial inequality.

JT Amaral (baseball) and Hannah Burns (women's soccer) were each presented with the Athletic Performance Carpe Diem Award. Determined by the USF athletic performance staff, the award is presented to a male and female student athlete who displays maximum effort on and off the field of competition through a consistent commitment to nutrition, strength and conditioning, sports medicine and mental performance enhancement. 

Rounding out the individual awards was Malik Thomas (men's basketball), who received the Roger and Claudia Salquist Athletic Director's Leadership Award, which is presented annually to a senior student-athlete who displays exemplary leadership throughout their time on the Hilltop.

14TH ANNUAL HILLTOP AWARD WINNERS:
Anne Dolan Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year: Riana Mission  (Women's Golf/2x winner, 2023-24 + 2024-25)

Bill Russell Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year: Reid Roberts (Men's Soccer)

Dante Benedetti Award: Abigail Lotz (Triathlon) and Carter Lewis (Cross Country/Track & Field)
 
Newcomer of the Year Award: Emma Trawally Porta (Women's Basketball) and Eddison Esquivel (Baseball)

Stephen Privett, S.J. Award: Sophia Priester-Veasley (Track & Field) and Morgan McDonough (Men's Golf)

Spirit of '51 Award: Men's Soccer

Charles Haney Academic Award: Noga Gottlieb (Triathlon)

Athletic Performance Carpe Diem Award: Hannah Burns (Women's Soccer) and JT Amaral (Baseball)

Roger and Claudia Salquist Athleitc Director's Leadership Award: Malik Thomas (Men's Basketball)

Excellence Awards: 
Awarded to male and female representatives from each team that have achieved a high level of excellence. This is decided by the coaches based on their own criteria.
 

Baseball	Patrick Keighran
Men's Basketball	Malik Thomas
Women's Basketball	Freja Werth
Men's Cross Country	Ellis McKean
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field	Natálie Hluší
Men's Golf	Renato Naula
Women's Golf	Riana Mission
Men's Soccer	Mason Dougherty
Women's Soccer	Ellie Weissenberg
Triathlon	Molly Elliott
Volleyball	Abby Wadas
Beach Volleyball	Branson Lennon

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