Crimson Carpet Awards Celebrate Exceptional Student-Athletes

SALT LAKE CITY – The annual Crimson Carpet Awards Show took over the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Monday evening, preceded by a welcome reception in Legacy Hall.

The event, put on by Utah's student-athlete Crimson Council, celebrates the best of student-athlete achievement and leadership from the 2024-25 school year, and included five new awards created by Utah's student-athletes and administration. The achievements centered around the "3 Cs"—the pillars of the Utah Athletics student-athlete experience: Excellence in the Classroom, Competition and Community.

Men's lacrosse student-athlete Brendan Belz opened the night by delivering the senior speech, thanking and congratulating his fellow student-athletes, and expressing gratitude for the entire community of Utah Athletics for the role they play in his and his teammates' success.

Crimson Council President Baylor Lewis from men's swimming and diving and Vice President Makenna Smith from gymnastics took to the podium next to introduce their fellow members of the Crimson Council, comprising the student-athlete leadership team for Utah Athletics.

Director of Athletics Mark Harlan delivered the closing address, thanking and congratulating the incredible student-athletes of the University of Utah, and calling the seniors to the stage for a final singing of the Utah fight song.

The full list of winners, and award descriptions, can be found below, organized by the categories of classroom, competition and community:

Gallery: (4-21-2025) 2025 Crimson Carpet Awards

CLASSROOM
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Merit Jones (Baseball), Brandon Haddock (Men's Basketball), Jenna Johnson (Women's Basketball), Bri Rinn (Cross-Country), Zereoue Williams (Football), Brandon Robison (Men's Golf), Jaylene Gilstrap (Gymnastics), Will Overly (Lacrosse), Raphael Lessard (Men's Skiing), Claire Timmermann (Women's Skiing), Kelly Bullock (Soccer), Hailee White (Softball), Evan VanBrocklin (Men's Swimming & Diving), Kathryn Grant (Women's Swimming & Diving), Geremia Rossi (Men's Tennis), Samantha Horwood (Women's Tennis), Chloe Shewell (Track & Field) Kylie Pitzak (Beach Volleyball) and Kamry Bailey (Volleyball)
Presented to the student-athlete from each team who has earned the highest cumulative grade-point average on his or her team, following sixty or more hours earned at the University of Utah.

HIGHEST TEAM GPA
Women's Cross-Country (3.784)
Men's Skiing (3.696)
New in 2025, teams that have gone above and beyond in the classroom, by putting in countless hours of study before and after practice, on the road, and late at night. The GPA is from the combination of the Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 semesters.

DR. BURTIS EVANS SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
Brendan Belz (Lacrosse)
Recognizes a male student-athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom, as well as in his sport.

FERN GARDNER SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
Kamry Bailey (Volleyball)
Recognizes a female student-athlete who has made significant achievements in the classroom, as well as in her sport.

COMMUNITY

JOHN CRAWFORD COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Parker McOmber (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Recognizes a student-athlete who has performed a significant amount of community or university service during his/her years at Utah.

JAMES R. "BUD" JACK TEAM COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Gymnastics
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.

UTE PROUD AWARDS
Amelie Morgan (Gymnastics)
Brendan Belz (Lacrosse)
Presented annually to the senior male and female student-athletes recognized for qualities of caring, courage, confidence, humility, humor and encouragement. Recipients were nominated by fellow student-athletes who believe the recipients display the true spirit of Utah Athletics as exemplified by the contribution and inspiration they provide to their team, and the presenters were joined by representation from the Ute Tribe.

REVEREND FRANCE A. DAVIS IMPACT AWARD
Conor O'Neill (Lacrosse)
Presented to the student-athlete who, through leadership, advocacy and a commitment to fostering positive change, has made a meaningful impact at the University of Utah, and within the community. Named for educator, leader and agent of positive change for the greater good Reverend France A. Davis.

DR. CHRIS HILL LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Jenna Johnson (Women's Basketball)
Baylor Lewis (Men's Swimming & Diving)
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.

OCCIE EVANS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Kendall Lundberg (Softball)
Outstanding senior female athlete in a team sport who excelled in academics, leadership and community involvement. The award was established by Evans and the Utah Athletics Department in 1978.

BEHIND THE SCENES HERO AWARDS
Matt Delisi (Athletic Trainer for swimming and diving)
New award in 2025, presented to a staff member who embodies what it means to be selfless in the service of others, with no expectation of recognition or fanfare. This is award is special because the individuals were nominated by teams that they tirelessly serve with great enthusiasm.
Special Recognition: Steve Riley (Director of Facility Management; recently retired after 27 years)

HIGH-PERFORMANCE AWARDS
Lucas Boesen (Baseball), Gabe Madsen (Men's Basketball), Inês Vieira (Women's Basketball), Bri Rinn (Women's Cross-Country), Karene Reid (Football), Brandon Robison (Men's Golf), Ella Zirbes (Gymnastics), Bryce Madden (Lacrosse), Johs Braathen Herland (Men's Skiing), Celine Mayer (Women's Skiing), Erin Gibbs (Soccer), Shelbee Jones (Softball), Elias Petersen (Men's Swimming & Diving), Kathryn Grant (Women's Swimming & Diving), Nicolas Calixto (Men's Tennis), Dylan Lolofie (Women's Tennis), Bailey Kealamakia (Women's Track & Field), Keira Sheehan (Beach Volleyball), Rianne Vos (Volleyball)
New award in 2025, presented to the individual recognized by the Utah Athletics High-Performance Team who goes above and beyond in areas that support all facets of performance, including athletic training, strength and conditioning, nutrition, sport science and mental performance.

CONTRIBUTE AWARD
Softball
Team that has collectively contributed the most to the community, enriched themselves through Ute Academy workshops and events, and participated in student groups.

COMPETITION

TRUE GRIT AWARD
Logan Fano (Football)
Alyssa Sorensen (Women's Swimming & Diving)
New award in 2025, recognizes a male and female student-athlete whose determination and perseverance in overcoming serious adversity athletically or personally, stands as a testament to their tremendous character and indomitable spirit. Sponsored by the Crimson Club.

THREE Cs OF EXCELLENCE AWARD: ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Grace McCallum (Gymnastics)
Joe Davies (Men's Skiing)
New award in 2025, presented to a senior men's and women's student-athlete who has combined successful academic excellence, athletic participation and community engagement, embodying the Utah Athletics mission statement of success in the classroom, competition and the community.

Completed Event: General versus Arizona on January 18, 2002

Completed Event: General versus Utah St on November 30, 2001 , Win , 3, to, 1

Completed Event: General versus San Diego St on November 17, 2001 , Win , 166, to, 120

Completed Event: General versus UNLV on November 10, 2001 , Loss , 114, to, 117

Completed Event: General versus UNLV on November 10, 2001 , Loss , 89, to, 189.5

Completed Event: General at Oregon St on October 26, 2001 , Loss , 89, to, 116

Completed Event: General versus Utah St on October 23, 2001 , Win , 3, to, 1

Completed Event: General versus UNLV on November 10, 2000

Completed Event: General versus UNLV on November 10, 2000 , Loss , 82, to, 120

Crimson Carpet Awards Celebrate Exceptional Student-Athletes

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Players Mentioned

Kamry Bailey

Brendan Belz

Lucas Boesen

Kelly Bullock

Nicolas Calixto

Joe Davies

Logan Fano

Erin Gibbs

Jaylene Gilstrap

Kathryn Grant

Brandon Haddock

Johs Braathen Herland

Samantha Horwood

Jenna Johnson

Merit Jones

Shelbee Jones

Bailey Kealamakia

Raphael Lessard

Baylor Lewis

Dylan Lolofie

Kendall Lundberg

Bryce Madden

Gabe Madsen

Celine Mayer

Grace McCallum

Parker McOmber

Amelie Morgan

Conor O'Neill

Will Overly

Elias Petersen

Kylie Pitzak

Karene Reid

Bri Rinn

Brandon Robison

Geremia Rossi

Keira Sheehan

Chloe Shewell

Makenna Smith

Alyssa Sorensen

Claire Timmermann

Evan VanBrocklin

Inês Vieira

Rianne Vos

Hailee White

Zereoue Williams

Ella Zirbes

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