Willamette Announces Winners at the 2023 Bearcat Awards
SALEM, Ore. -- The 2023 Bearcat Awards were presented on Wednesday, May 3 at Hudson Concert Hall in the Rogers Music Center. The event honored achievements by the Willamette University Bearcats during the 2022-23 athletic year. Awards were presented to the top athletes and rising stars, as well as to those with outstanding individual performances, exceptional community service, and academic success.
Winners of the J.H. Booth Award and the Jean Williams Award, which honor the top graduating seniors for their leadership, scholarship, and athletic success, were announced. Other top honors included the Julie Abendroth, Ed.D. Professor of the Year Award, Alumnus of the Year Award, and Sue J. Rauch Distinguished Service to Athletics Award. Members of Willamette's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the 2023 induction class into the Chi Alpha Sigma honorary society also were recognized.
Bearcat Awards Show Replay
Jean Williams Award
The Jean Williams Award is presented annually to the senior women's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism.
Catie Kawamura
San Diego, California / San Diego International Studies
Lacrosse
Other Finalists: Marykate DeLuca (Softball), Sami Riggs (Basketball. Track & Field)
J.H. Booth Award
Presented annually to the senior men's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism.
Andrew Kibbee
Kenmore, Washington/Bothell HS
Golf
Other Finalists: Alex Weirth (Golf), Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Baseball)
Women's Athlete of the Year
Awarded to a women's student-athlete based on the culmination of the their yearly stats and athletic accolades this season.
Sami Riggs
La Verne, California / Bonita HS
Basketball / Track & Field
Other Finalists: MaryKate DeLuca (Softball), Alayna Kisiday (Swimming), Tati Klenk (Lacrosse), Shyla Sato (Volleyball)
Men's Athlete of the Year
Awarded to a men's student-athlete based on the culmination of their yearly stats and athletic accolades this season.
Pierce Galloway
Carmel, California / Carmel HS
Golf
Other Finalists: Keaton Adams (Football), Brady Joyner (Baseball), Andrew Kibbee (Golf), Cole Lindberg (Swimming)
Women's Individual Performance of the Year
Awarded to a women's student-athlete for their exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.
Anna Hornbeck
Bend, Oregon / Bend HS
Swimming
Other Finalists: Ashlyn Ascuena-Mercil (Basketball), Shelby Sawyer (Lacrosse), Shyla Sato (Volleyball)
Men's Individual Performance of the Year
Awarded to a men's student-athlete for their exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.
Jack Boydell
Sonoma, California / Sonoma Valley HS
Basketball
Other Finalists: Drew Alexander (Soccer), Krisna LaFrance (Soccer), Oliver Smith (Golf)
Women's Individual Service Award
Awarded to a women's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus -- Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.
Jasmine Shigeno
Brush Prairie, Washington / Hockinson HS
Basketball
Other Women's Finalist: Catie Kawamura (Lacrosse), Sophia Lucio (Softball), Leilani Luu (Cross Country / Track & Field)
Men's Individual Service Award
Awarded to a men's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus -- Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.
Abdul Ali
West Linn, Oregon / West Linn HS
Soccer
Other Men's Finalists: Jett Starr (Soccer), Ardem Baronian (Soccer), Dylan Green (Basketball)
Women's Newcomer of The Year
Awarded to a womens' first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.
Whitley Step
Silverton, Oregon / Regis HS
Swimming
Other Finalists: Erin Denny (Soccer), Emma Elliot (Softball), Kaitlin Imai (Basketball), Claire Kisielnicki (Lacrosse)
Men's Newcomer of The Year
Awarded to a men's first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.
Drew Alexander
San Mateo, California / Junipero Serra HS
Soccer
Other Finalists: Elijah Jones (Track & Field), Carl Lawson (Baseball), Jake Oetinger (Soccer), Oliver Smith (Golf)
Women's Academic Team of the Year
Awarded to the women's teams who attained the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester.
Cross Country
Other Women's Finalists: Soccer, Triathlon, Track and Field
Men's Academic Team of the Year
Awarded to the men's teams who attained the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester.
Cross Country
Other Men's Finalists: Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field
Women's Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards
Awarded to a women's student-athlete who excels through the rigors of academics and athletics at Willamette. The men's and women's senior student-athletes who have achieved the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester receive this award.
Jackie Gilroy
Mercer Island, Washington / Mercer Island HS
Soccer / Track & Field
Men's Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards
Awarded to a men's student-athlete who excels through the rigors of academics and athletics at Willamette. The men's and women's senior student-athletes who have achieved the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester receive this award.
Luke Werkmeister-Martin
Louisville, Colorado / Monarch HS
Baseball
SAAC Bearcat Cup
Competition for the Bearcat Cup is designed to increase school spirit by Willamette student-athletes and to encourage participation on campus and in Salem. Points are awarded to teams for attending home and away games, participating in community service, attending non-athletics campus events, and attending Athletic Department events. The team with the highest point total wins the Bearcat Cup.
Women's Basketball
Julie Abendroth, Ed.D., Professor of the Year
In memory of Professor Julie Abendroth, whose dedication to Willamette student-athletes was not limited to the classroom. She was a mentor and a friend of our student-athletes.
Presented by the Willamette Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to a Willamette University professor demonstrating devotion to the pursuit of excellence by our student-athletes in both academics and athletics.
Heather Kitada Smalley
Albaugh Assistant Professor of Statistics
Alumnus of the Year
Presented by the Willamette University coaches in honor of an alumnus who demonstrates a lifelong connection and commitment to Bearcat Athletics, its coaches and its student-athletes.
Britanny Kochenderfer ' 19
Athletics Program Assistant
Sue J. Rauch Distinguished Service to Athletics Award
Presented by the Willamette University coaches in memory of Sue Rauch, a dedicated member of the Willamette community, whose continuous support and commitment served a vital role in the success of the Bearcat Athletics Department, its coaches and it's student-athletes.
Sue Corner '90
Dean of Admission