LA JOLLA, Calif. – Following a successful first season in NCAA Division I, UC San Diego scholar-athletes were celebrated and recognized by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics with the department's annual awards, revealed Thursday evening via a live virtual event as well as on @ucsdtritons social media platforms.

Triton scholar-athletes were recognized for their achievements during the 2020-21 academic year in athletic competitions, in the classroom, and in serving their community.

"Given the trying circumstances of the on-going pandemic, I am extremely proud of all of the accomplishments of our scholar-athletes," said UC San Diego Director of Athletics Earl W. Edwards. "In spite of the challenges before them, our scholar-athletes persevered and showed tremendous resolve as we had an extremely successful first year at the Division I level."

In an abbreviated competitive season, four UC San Diego teams finished in fourth place or better in the Big West Conference standings. 22 Triton scholar-athletes earned All-Big West recognition, including Ciara Franke of women's water polo, who became UC San Diego's first-ever Big West Player of the Year.

---

Outstanding Senior Scholar-Athletes
Gabe Avillion, Men's Volleyball
Sherriah Harrington, Softball

Athletes of the Year
Ciara Franke, Women's Water Polo
Michael Fuhrman, Baseball

All-Triton Scholar-Athlete Team
Bobbi Aguirre, Softball
Juli Arzave, Women's Swimming
Caitlin Billman, Women's Cross Country
Sydney Brown, Women's Basketball
Ciara Franke, Women's Water Polo
Michael Fuhrman, Baseball
Gabe Hadley, Men's Basketball
Calder Hilde-Jones, Men's Water Polo
Noa Kerner, Men's Rowing
Juni Kim, Women's Rowing
Ivan Kurakin, Men's Swimming
Vedran Markota, Men's Fencing
Kyle McCauley, Men's Volleyball
Kate MacNaughton, Women's Track & Field
Sophie Pearson, Women's Tennis
Gabe Reuter, Men's Cross Country
Noah Sonenstein, Men's Soccer
Cindy Tran, Women's Volleyball
Daniel Traxler, Men's Tennis
Ryan Vaughan, Golf
Blake Walkowiak, Men's Track & Field
Delaney Whittet, Women's Soccer
Emma Zmurk, Women's Fencing

Mark Appelbaum Academic Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award
Miya Coimbra, Women's Fencing

All-Triton Academic Scholar-Athlete Team
Sierra Byrne, Women's Rowing
Tazio Capozzola, Men's Rowing
Dana Chou, Women's Fencing
Delani Fish, Women's Track & Field
Maile Heyer, Women's Rowing
Noa Kerner, Men's Rowing
Brandon Lee, Men's Fencing
Jessee Ransone, Women's Water Polo
Collin Shannon, Men's Volleyball
Vanessa Tirado, Softball

Karen E. Reis Memorial Award
(leadership/campus and community service)
Taylor Iantosca, Women's Rowing

Léon T. Roach Team Spirit Award
Softball

Triton Changemaker for Inclusion Award
Women's Basketball
Marissa Ray

Team GPA Award
(highest team GPA)
Women's Fencing

Meritorious Service Award
(Individuals who have made numerous and significant contributions to UC San Diego Athletics)
Dr. Robert T. "Chip" Schooley
Dr. Angela L. Scioscia
Dr. Natasha Martin
Dr. Amy Leu
Dr. Stacie San Miguel
Dr. Alan Shahataji
Dr. Kenneth Taylor

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions III and II and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America accolades, while 38 have received prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.