Utah Athletics Announces 2020 Crimson Carpet Awards

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah athletic department and the Crimson Council announced the 2019-20 awards.

The awards are based on academic excellence, athletic talent, community service and leadership.

Half of the awards was submitted by the Crimson Council. The finalists were nominated by each team and the winners were voted by all of the student-athletes.

The senior awards were nominated by the coaching staffs and voted on by student-athletes. Athletics Director Mark Harlan was the emcee for the event.

The award show was all broadcast on Facebook and YouTube because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the Crimson Carpet Award winners from the 2019-20 athletic season.

Watch live: https://t.co/LWtXUe8FMMhttps://t.co/EisL95F8UR

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) April 21, 2020

Wellness Advocate Award

Presented to the student-athlete who has demonstrated a commitment to personal wellness and showed courage in advocating for mental health awareness among student-athletes.

Winner: Kim Tessen, Gymnastics

Finalists: Kenzie Koerber (Volleyball), Sabine Krautsgasser (Skiing), Tyler Thompson (Baseball)

Team Community Service Award

Presented to the team that has gone the extra mile to give back to Salt Lake City. Not only does it have a powerful reflection of who this team is, but also reflects what it means to be a caring student athlete at Utah.

Winner: Women’s Tennis Team

Finalists: Gymnastics, Men’s Basketball

Female Rookie Of The Year

Presented to the individual who excelled in his/her first season of competition at the collegiate level by demonstrating dedication, ability, and spirit in their respected sport.

Winner: Abby Paulson, Gymnastics

Finalists: Brynna Maxwell (Basketball), Maile O’Keefe (Gymnastics), Zoe Weatherington (Volleyball)

Male Rookie Of The Year

Presented to the individual who excelled in his/her first season of competition at the collegiate level by demonstrating dedication, ability, and spirit in their respected sport.

Winner: Rylan Jones, Basketball

Finalists: Franco Capalbo (Tennis), Mac Costin (Lacrosse), Samuel Hendry (Skiing)

John Crawford Community Service Award

John Crawford devoted much of his life to Utah Athletics. He started the formalized Crimson Club and was a favorite in the Athletic Department. This award recognizes a student-athlete who has performed a significant amount of community or University service during his/her years at Utah.

Winner: SJ Edwards, Women’s Soccer

James R. “Bud” Jack Scholar Student-Athlete Award

This honors the legacy left behind by Bud and Ila Jack, who dedicated 40 years of their lives to the University of Utah. Bud served in many capacities including 17 years as the Athletics Director and Assistant Vice President for Athletic Development. Bud was also an instrumental part of starting women’s scholarship athletics at Utah some 37 years ago. This award recognizes a female student-athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom, as well as her sport.

Winner: Christina Pick, Women’s Swim and Dive Team

Dr. Burtis Evans Award

Burtis and Jan Evans showed equal devotion to the University. Dr. Evans served as team physician for Ute Athletic teams for 37 years. This award annually recognizes a male student-athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom, as well as in his sport.

Winner: Matteo Sogne, Men’s Swim and Dive Team

Play Of The Year

Presented to the moment that illustrates the most extraordinary athletic accomplishment during the 2019-2020 season.

Winner: Abby Paulson getting a perfect 10 to help the Red Rocks defeat UCLA at Pauley Pavilion.

Finalists: Jaylon Johnson pick-six at Washington, Ski Team records 743 points to win home invitational, Volleyball sweeps BYU in Provo to advance to Sweet 16 and Women’s Swimming winning the final event, the 4×100 relay against BYU.

Female Student-Athlete Of The Year

Presented to the male and female student-athletes who consistently performed at a high level throughout the 2019-2020 season; raising the bar for all other competitors in their sport.

Winner: Kim Tessen, Gymnastics

Finalists: Guro Jordheim (Skiing), Kenzie Koerber (Volleyball), Kolbi Sims (Track)

Male Student-Athlete Of The Year

Presented to the male and female student-athletes who consistently performed at a high level throughout the 2019-2020 season; raising the bar for all other competitors in their sport.

Winner: Zack Moss, Football

Finalists: Tyler Huntley (Football), Joachim Lien (Skiing), Jimmy Perkins (Lacrosse)

ANOTHER ONE for the 🐐 @PresMoss2 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Ov5VMzQFkt

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 21, 2020

Most Inspirational Team Award

Presented to the team who inspired all student-athletes at the University of Utah with their performances for the entire 2019-2020 season.

Winner: Swim & Dive Team

Finalists: Gymnastics, Skiing, Track & Field, Volleyball

Dr. Chris Hill Female Leadership Award

Dr. Chris Hill retired as one of the longest tenured Division 1 Athletic Directors for the same school. Over 31 years, he navigated Utah Athletics into the Pac-12 and left a lasting legacy. This award recognizes the male and female student-athletes who best exemplify leadership for their team, the athletics department, the campus and surrounding communities. During their time as a student-athlete at the University of Utah, they have gone beyond the call of duty, showing what it means to be a leader.

Winner: Missy Reinstadtler, Gymnastics

Finalists: BreOnna Castaneda (Softball), Caitlin Faust (Cross Country/Track), Natalie Kump (Soccer), Leah Lange (Skiing), Berkeley Oblad (Volleyball)

Dr. Chris Hill Male Leadership Award

Winner: Brody Lewis, Swim & Dive Team

Finalists: Terrell Burgess (Football), Aaron Fjeldsted (Lacrosse), Mitchell Schow (Golf)

Ute Proud Female Most Inspirational Award

Presented to the senior male and female student-athletes who exemplify what it means to be a Ute by displaying a positive attitude, dedication, and pride in representing their school and team, while inspiring others to do the same.

Winner: Claire Feldman, Softball

Finalists: Mallori Allen (Swimming), Nicole Griffiths (Cross Country/Track), Whitney Hekking (Tennis), Leah Lange (Skiing), Carly Nelson (Soccer), Berkeley Oblad (Volleyball), Daneesha Provo (Basketball)

Ute Proud Male Most Inspirational Award

Winner: Leki Fotu, Football

Finalists: Jordan Costello (Golf), Brody Lewis (Swimming), Jimmy Perkins (Lacrosse), Kyle Robeniol (Baseball)

Congratulations, @LekiFotu! #UteProud #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/o75zQwPyij

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 21, 2020

Most Outstanding Female Student-Athlete

Presented to the senior student-athletes who have been exceptional in the athletic arena during their careers at Utah. These nominees have all received numerous individual awards, as well as All-Conference, All-American and Pac-12 honors. They have helped lead their teams through the challenges of intercollegiate athletics through their individual dedication and distinction.

Winner: Guro Jordheim, Skiing

Finalists: Alyssa Barrera (Softball), Sarah Feeny (Cross Country/Track), Sarah Lott (Swimming), Carly Nelson (Soccer), Berkeley Oblad (Volleyball), Missy Reinstadtler (Gymnastics)

Most Outstanding Male Student-Athlete

Winner: Zack Moss, Football

Finalists: Logan Diekmann (Skiing), Liam O’Haimhirgin (Swimming), Mitchell Schow (Golf)

.@PresMoss2 holds 6️⃣ school records and has been named the Most Outstanding Male Athlete! #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/tMt9noHnlV

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 21, 2020

Superlative Awards

To end the award show, each team voted for a teammate for superlative awards.

Most Likely To Say “Like” 1,000 Times In A Sentence

Volleyball: Kinga Windisch

Softball: Julia Scardina

Baseball: Brock Rudy

Football: T.J. Green

Men’s Basketball: Jaxon Brenchley

Women’s Basketball: Mo Corbin

Soccer: Kristin Fairbairn

Men’s Swim/Dive: Chris Allen

Women’s Swim/Dive: Sophie Morici

Men’s Tennis: Randy Cory

Women’s Tennis: Madison McKay

Lacrosse: Mac Costing

Women’s Ski: Julia Ritcher

Men’s Ski: Luke Jager

Gymnastics: Abby Paulson

Cross Country/ Track & Field: Sophie Ryan

Golf: Oscar Maxfield

Most Likely To End Up As A Cat Lady

Volleyball: Megan Yett

Softball: Alyssa Barrera

Baseball: Sean Bolin

Football: Samson Nacua

Women’s Basketball: Julie Brosseau

Soccer: Hanna Olsen

Men’s Swim/Dive: JP Hynes

Women’s Swim/Dive: Mallory Allen

Men’s Tennis: Russell Benkaim

Women’s Tennis: Madison Tattini

Lacrosse: Liam Donnelly

Women’s Ski: Katie Vesterstein

Men’s Ski: Logan Diekmann

Gymnastics: Kim Tessen

Cross Country/Track & Field: Brooke Martin

Golf: Jesper Von Reedtz

Most Likely To Break A Finger And Keep Playing

Volleyball: Kennedi Evans

Softball: Julia Noskin

Baseball: Zack Moeller

Football: Mika Tafua

Men’s Basketball: Mikael Jantunen

Women’s Basketball: Julie Brosseau

Soccer: Alexis Rushlow

Men’s Swim/Dive: Colton Montgomery

Women’s Swim/Dive: Kenzie Ford

Men’s Tennis: Franco Capalbo

Women’s Tennis: Maddie Lamoreaux

Lacrosse: Nick Hapney

Women’s Ski: Sona Moravcikova

Men’s Ski: Ola Jordheim

Gymnastics: Jill Hoffman and Hunter Dula

Cross Country/Track & Field: Cara Wodnough

Golf: Blake Tomlinson

Most Likely To Be Smiling At 6:00 a.m.

Volleyball: Dani Drews

Softball: A.J. Militello

Baseball: Braden DeBenedictis

Football: Brant Kuithe

Men’s Basketball: Eli Ballstaedt

Women’s Basketball: Mo Corbin

Soccer: Chelsea Peterson

Men’s Swim/Dive: Tony Chen

Women’s Swim/Dive: Maddie Woznick

Men’s Tennis: Wally Thayne

Women’s Tennis: Lindsay Hung

Lacrosse: Aaron Fjeldsted

Women’s Ski: Leah Lange

Men’s Ski: Tomas Birkner

Gymnastics: Cristal Isa

Cross Country/Track & Field: Astrid Lindgren

Golf: Javier Barcos

Best Dancer

Volleyball: Leah Schmidt

Softball: Madi Jacobus

Baseball: Matt Richardson

Football: T.J. Green

Men’s Basketball: Lahat Thioune

Women’s Basketball: Kiana Moore

Soccer: Emali Mackinnon

Men’s Swim/Dive: Andrew Britton

Women’s Swim/Dive: Sara McClendon

Men’s Tennis: Slava Shainyan

Women’s Tennis: Anya Lamoreaux

Lacrosse: Branden Wilson

Women’s Ski: Mariah Bredal

Men’s Ski: Joachin Lien

Gymnastics: Jaedyn Rucker

Cross Country/Track & Field: Nicole Griffiths

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.