6-10-2022 4:33am

TU RECOGNIZES STANDOUTS

TOWSON ATHLETICS, SAAC ANNOUNCES 2021-22 GOLDEN PAWS, TIGER CUP WINNERS

TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University athletics department, in conjunction with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, is proud to announce the winners of the 2021-22 Golden PAWS awards show and the 2021-22 Tiger Cup Challenge.

For the first time since 2019, the Golden PAWS were held in-person in SECU Arena. Athletic director Steve Eigenbrot addressed the crowd while Towson SAAC representatives announced and handed out the awards, which were nominated and voted on by Towson SAAC and various athletics staff members.

During the Golden PAWS event, several individual, team and academic awards were presented by members of the Towson SAAC.

The Tiger Cup Challenge, hosted by Towson SAAC, recognizes the teams with the most attendance at other Towson teams' events. The winner was announced via the Towson SAAC social media.

Rookie of the Year
Description: A freshman (true or redshirt) that had an outstanding first season and positively impacted their team.
--Male: Matt Constantinides, Men's Lacrosse
--Female: Clara Hong, Gymnastics and Milana Zizakovic, Women's Lacrosse (tie)

Newcomer of the Year
Description: A transfer that had an outstanding first season at Towson and positively impacted their team.
--Male: Cam Holden, Men's Basketball
--Female: Irbe Lazda, Volleyball

Senior Career Achievement
Description: Recognizes a student-athlete for outstanding achievements through their four years at Towson.
--Male: Koby Smith, Men's Lacrosse
--Female: Hayley Horvath, Track & Field

Athlete of the Year
Description: Acknowledges the season-changing impact of one student-athlete.
--Male: Brian Benzing, Men's Swimming
--Female: Crystal Johnson, Track & Field

Best Moment
Description: Recognizes a student-athlete or team for the best moment/play of the year.
--Male: Men's Basketball – Winning its first-ever CAA regular season title with a program record 15 CAA victories, getting the 1-seed in the CAA Tournament and the first-ever berth into the National Invitation Tournament.
--Female: Volleyball – Earning its third consecutive CAA title in reverse sweep of Elon in league title game. Was the first them to three-peat since the 1990s, earning its third straight berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Best Record-Breaking Achievement
Description: Recognizing a student-athlete or team for the best record-breaking achievement.
--Male: Brian Benzing, Men's Swimming – Breaking the Towson, CAA and CAA Championship record in the 100-yard breaststroke.
--Female: Women's Basketball – Setting a program record for most total wins and most CAA wins in a season.

Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Description: Recognizes the top academic performer who is a senior at Towson.
--Male: Julian Gonzalez, Men's Golf
--Female: Bre McDowell, Softball

Strength & Conditioning Award
Description: Recognizes the student-athlete with the greatest commitment to their strength & conditioning program.
--Male: Reagan McNemar, Men's Lacrosse
--Female: Crystal Johnson, Track & Field

Comeback Award
Description: Recognizes the student-athlete who, despite injury, has demonstrated a commitment to the rehabilitation program to return to competition while showing positivity and perseverance.
--Male: Jason Gibson, Men's Basketball
--Female: Kira Parsons, Track & Field

Community Service Award
Description: Recognizes a student-athlete who demonstrates a commitment to community service, involvement and general positivity in support of Towson.
--Male: Brendan Farrar, Men's Swimming
--Female: Sarah Girot, Gymnastics

Bobbi Madison Award
Description: Awarded to the team with the highest increase in GPA from Fall 2020 to Fall 2021.
--Male: Men's Basketball
--Female: Women's Tennis

Wayne Edwards Award
Description: Awarded to the team with the highest GPA through Fall 2021.
--Male: Men's Golf
--Female: Women's Tennis

Impact Award:
Description: Chosen exclusively by Towson SAAC, honoring a Towson athletics staff member for their impact on the season.
--Winner: Bethany Essalhi, Athletic Training

2021-22 Tiger Cup Challenge – Top-10
Winner – Gymnastics
2nd – Tennis
3rd – Softball
4th – Volleyball
5th – Men's Lacrosse
6th – Baseball
t-7th – Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Swimming & Diving
9th – Women's Lacrosse
10th – Field HockeyPrint Friendly Version