MIAMI (April 14, 2019) – The FIU Athletic Department celebrated the 2018-19 season as it held its annual Blue & Gold Awards banquet on Sunday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Each athletic program received recognition and honor for their accomplishments throughout the 2018-19 academic year. 

Student-athletes, coaches and FIU staff were welcomed by Master of Ceremonies Luis Perez. Pete Garcia, Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment, followed with the opening remarks, which highlighted all the individual and team successes for each sport during the 2018-19 year.
 
Ayssa Roza, Associate Director of the Student-Athlete Academic Center recognized the Academic Excellence Award, and Dr. Pete E.C. Markowitz, Faculty Athletics Representative, highlighted the Sportsmanship award. 
 
Junior Alec Dominguez, from the men's track and field team and president of the Student-Athlete Leadership Council delivered the invocation. Following a dinner buffet, each team was recognized for their accomplishments during the 2018-19 academic year. Team-specific awards were also given out in addition to various athletic department awards.

A full listing of award recipients can be found below.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics). 

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

Co-Female Student Athlete of the Year
Maha Gouda (swimming & diving) and Clarissa Cutliff (track & field)

Co-Male Student Athlete of the Year
James Morgan (football) and Santiago Patino (soccer)

Gold Cup Award
Women's Tennis

Athletic Director's Award
Women's Tennis - 3.75 GPA

Michael Felsberg Spirit Award
Swimming & Diving 

Academic Excellence Award
Dorina Klinger (volleyball) - 4.0 GPA

Female Sportsmanship Award
Federica Frasca (beach volleyball)

Male Sportsmanship Award
Logan Allen (baseball)


TEAM AWARDS

Baseball
Coach's Award: Kobe Lopez
Leadership Award: Lorenzo Hampton, Jr.
MVP: Logan Allen

Men's Basketball
Coach's Award: Elhadji Dieng
Defensive MVP: Osasumwen Osaghae
MVP: Brian Beard, Jr.

Men's Cross Country
Coach's Award: David Suarez
MVP: Eliseo Torres

Men's Track & Field
Leadership Award: Royer Baez
Track MVP: Patston Stewart
Field MVP: Queshun Riggins

Football
Most Improved: Stantley Thomas-Oliver III
Leadership Award: Anthony Johnson 
MVP: James Morgan

Men's Soccer
MVP: Santiago Patino

Women's Basketball
Most Improved: Paula Orenes
Hustle Award: Bre'Osha Scott

Women's Cross Country
Panther Award: Anais Da Silva
MVP: Sherilene Gelderblom

Women's Track & Field
Track MVP: Sherilene Gelderblom
Field MVP: Terrisa Russell

Women's Golf
Most Improved: Gabriela Powel
Coach's Award: Agueda Cortilla
MVP: Valentina Gilly

Women's Soccer
Toughness Award: Sierra Moss
Leadership Award: Lauren Whitaker
Coach's Award: Christina Velazquez

Softball
Leadership Award: Jessica Rivera
Leadership Award: Jackie Schoff
Coach's Award: Alyssa Laboy

Swimming & Diving
Coach's Award: Oceane Peretti
Diver of the Year: Maha Gouda
Swimmer of the Year: Naomi Ruele

Women's Tennis 
Most Improved: Maria Turrillo
Coach's Award: Kamila Umarova
MVP: Basak Akbas

Volleyball
Defensive MVP: Lina Bernier
Offensive MVP: Abbie Hughes
MVP: Margherita Bianchin

Beach Volleyball
Most Improved: Erika Zembyla
Hustle Award: Helene Thelle
Coach's Award: Katie Friesen

Cheerleaders
Leadership Award: Emani Plummer
Coach's Award: Caitlin Gonzalez
MVP: Jenna Maggi

Dazzlers
Coach's Award: Reese Garcia
Veteran of the Year: Natalie Nieves
Dazzler of the Year: Nichole Chacon