Tampa Athletics Honors Student-Athletes at Annual Spartys Banquet
TAMPA, Fla. — The University of Tampa Athletics Department hosted its eighth annual Spartys Awards Ceremony on Sunday at Armature Works, recognizing outstanding student-athletes and top performers from the 2025–26 academic year.
The Spartys Awards Ceremony continues to highlight the University of Tampa's commitment to excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and community impact, recognizing student-athletes who Stand As One and embody the department's core values of Courage, Unity, and Sacrifice.
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Athletes of the Year
More information: http://tampaspartans.com/information/traditions/Athlete_of_Year
Peyton Howell (women's lacrosse) and Jacob Hamlin (men's swimming) were named Athletes of the Year after standout performances on the national stage.
Howell, a senior attacker, played a key role in Tampa's NCAA Division II National Championships in 2024 and 2025. She earned 2025 IWLCA Player of the Year and Attacker of the Year honors, was named the NCAA Championships Most Outstanding Player, and received Sunshine State Conference Athlete of the Year recognition. Howell was also a USA Lacrosse Magazine First Team All-American and a finalist for the 2025 Honda Athlete of the Year award. Entering 2026, she was named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List and selected as the USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Player of the Year, Attacker of the Year, and a First Team All-American. She currently holds Tampa career records for points (195), goals (142), and assists.
Hamlin, a junior swimmer, has achieved success at both the conference and national levels, earning four Sunshine State Conference championships and four NCAA Division II national titles. Over his career, he has totaled 10 national championships while contributing to two national records and three school records.
Scholar-Athletes of the Year
More information: http://tampaspartans.com/information/traditions/ScholarAward
Senior men's soccer student-athlete Dylan Connolly and senior Maxime Holletschek were named Scholar-Athletes of the Year for their excellence in the classroom.
Connolly, a finance major, completed his career with a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA and earned Sunshine State Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll recognition from 2024–2026. He achieved a 4.0 GPA in every semester at Tampa while maintaining full participation with the program. Connolly did not miss a practice during his career and served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), representing Tampa at the SSC SAAC Leadership Weekend on Jan. 25, 2026.
Holletschek, an economics major with a mathematics minor, compiled a 3.98 cumulative GPA and earned Dean's List honors throughout her career. She was recognized as the runner-up for research in the economics department at the Sykes College of Business Research Day and has published work in the Tampa Bay Times and Yahoo Finance. Holletschek has also contributed to The Smithian, a publication of the Adam Smith Society, and is scheduled to present research at both the Sykes College of Business Research Day and the Association of Private Enterprise Education (APEE) Conference.
Iron Spartan Award
More information: https://tampaspartans.com/information/traditions/IronSpartan
Recognizing excellence in strength and conditioning, Angel Williams (women's beach volleyball) and Brady Bolton (men's lacrosse) earned the Iron Spartan Award.
Williams, a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in professional communication, demonstrated consistent dedication in the weight room and team training sessions, contributing to her development as one of the program's most physical competitors.
Bolton, a senior entrepreneurship major, maintained a rigorous strength training routine and returned to competition within seven months following Achilles surgery, highlighting his commitment to performance and rehabilitation.
Freddie Solomon Community Service Award
More information: https://tampaspartans.com/information/traditions/Freddie_Solomon_Award
Senior Paige Rockwood (women's rowing) received the Freddie Solomon Community Service Award for her commitment to service and leadership.
Rockwood, who carries a 3.92 GPA, serves as a team captain, SAAC representative, and Vice President of Morgan's Message, a student-athlete mental health advocacy group. She has volunteered with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, assisting in sexual assault services, while maintaining a strong academic standing and contributing to team and campus initiatives.
Melissa Vanderhall Scarlet Cape Award
More information: https://tampaspartans.com/information/traditions/SpartanCape
Senior Mary Kate Person (women's lacrosse) was honored with the Melissa Vanderhall Scarlet Cape Award, recognizing excellence in leadership, academics, athletics, and community service.
A communication major with a 3.5 GPA, Person has been a three-time team captain and key contributor to Tampa's NCAA Division II National Championships in 2024 and 2025. She earned 2025 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team honors, was named the Sunshine State Conference Championship Most Outstanding Player, and received Second Team All-SSC recognition.
Person has also demonstrated leadership through her involvement in the University of Tampa ROTC program, completing advanced military and leadership training. She has earned All-Academic Team and Dean's List honors while contributing to community initiatives, including Metro Ministries, Morgan's Message, the Fight Wright Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness 5K, and the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch Wheelchair Rugby Tournament.