Tar Heel winners, performers and presenters sing Hark the Sound to close out the evening.
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Tar Heels Celebrate At Rammy Awards
April 24, 2023 | Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Gymnastics, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Rowing, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, Cross Country, Track & Field, Fencing, Swimming & Diving, Academics, Student-Athlete Development, Athletics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Tar Heel student-athletes sang, danced, cheered and celebrated Monday evening at the 2023 Rammy Awards, held at Memorial Hall on the UNC campus. Carolina Athletics honored NCAA and Atlantic Coast Conference champions, record-breakers and all-around talented students for their achievements over the past year, dating back to last year's ceremony.
NCAA Champions swept the night's biggest honors, with diver Aranza Vazquez named Female Athlete of the Year, wrestler Austin O'Connor Male Athlete of the Year, and the undefeated field hockey and women's lacrosse teams sharing the Rammy for Outstanding Team of the Year.
After members of UNC's 28 teams, as well as coaches and staff members, walked the Carolina blue carpet into Memorial Hall, the evening kicked off with a highlight video that had each Tar Heel team cheering loudly for every appearance. The Carolina Girls dance team then took the stage for a number that brought out the evening's hosts, Malu Tshitenge of women's basketball and Kaimon Rucker from football, who joined the dancers for the end of their routine.
Tshitenge and Rucker got the crowd laughing with jokes about NIL and the transfer portal, and some comparisons to 2013, the first year that the Rammys were held. Then they turned attention to the awards.
The first honors of the night went to the Male and Female Newcomers of the Year, David Ford from men's golf and Ally Sentnor from women's soccer.
The Rammy for Best Play went to football's Drake Maye and Antoine Green for the winning touchdown in UNC's victory at Duke.
The Rammy for Best Championship Performance went to Aranza Vazquez, who won two NCAA titles in women's diving last month.
Austin O'Connor from wrestling and Fiona Crawley from women's tennis were honored for Best Individual Performances.
The Rammys for Breakthrough Athlete went to gymnast Lali Dekanoidze and runner Ethan Strand.
Women's basketball received the Rammy for Best Upset, recognizing a string of three straight home wins over higher-ranked teams.
Armando Bacot from men's basketball was honored with the Rammy for Record-Breaking Performance.
The Tar Heels also handed out several special awards based on performance outside of competition. The John Lotz Award recognizes student-athletes who have fought through challenges on the way to representing the Tar Heels. This year's honorees are Hallie Thompson (gymnastics), who has overcome two ACL tears, and Logan McGovern (men's lacrosse), who has battled cystic fibrosis.
The student group Student-Athletes Facilitating Equity (SAFE) was honored with the Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Top Six for Service Awards went to the baseball team, Alex Breschi (Men's Lacrosse), Reza Merchant (Men's Fencing), Sophie Silverstein (Gymnastics), Dorrit Eisenbeis and Katie Dixon (Field Hockey), and Kaimon Rucker and Christopher Holliday (Football)
The McCaskill Award, recognizing outstanding seniors, went to Aleigh Gambone (Women's Soccer) and Nik Pry (Baseball).
The staff of the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes was honored with the Unsung Hero Rammy.
Best Dressed honors went to Elijah Green (Football), who wore a Carolina blue suit, and Ella Webb (Women's Fencing), who was also one of the evening's performers, playing the harp, a Rammys first.
Other performers were Sarah Followill (Women's Fencing), who played piano and sang, and JoEllen Driscoll, who also sang.
The final performer was Michael Spragley, aka Speedy Sprag, from the men's cross country/track and field teams. He had the crowd on its feet (sure, he asked everyone to stand, but they probably would have gotten up anyway) as he rapped about the student-athlete experience, name-checking coaches and student-athletes as they prepared to head for the exits and a post-event ice cream party.
But first there was one last thing to do: as with all UNC events, the night ended with all in attendance singing, swaying and clapping to the alma mater, Hark the Sound.
2023 Rammy Award Winners
Outstanding Newcomers
Presented by Kate Burgess (Rowing), Quinn Closson (Men's Soccer), Elijah Green (Football) and Bri Greenlow (Gymnastics)
Male: David Ford, Men's Golf
Female: Ally Sentnor, Women's Soccer
Best Play
Presented by Deja Kelly (Women's Basketball) and Boyd Poelke (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Drake Maye pass to Antoine Green, Football
Best Championship Performance
Presented by Georgia Nel (Women's Swimming & Diving) and Chance Carroll (Football)
Aranza Vazquez, Women's Swimming and Diving
Best Individual Performances
Presented by Marissa Meyerhoefer (Volleyball), Duwe Farris (Men's Basketball), Brieanna Romney (Women's Swimming & Diving) and Alex Breschi (Men's Lacrosse)
Male: Austin O'Connor, Wrestling
Women: Fiona Crawley, Women's Tennis
Best Breakthrough Athlete
Presented by Sophia Patel (Women's Tennis), Anuj Watane (Men's Tennis), Kiersten Thomassey (Field Hockey), Drake Maye (Football)
Male: Ethan Strand, Men's Track & Field
Female: Lali Dekanoidze, Gymnastics
Best Upset
Presented by Alex Brown (Softball) and Mac Horvath (Baseball)
Women's Basketball for three consecutive home wins over higher ranked teams
Record-Breaking Performance
Presented by Elizabeth Hillman (Women's Lacrosse), Kenan Poole (Men's Golf)
Armando Bacot, Men's Basketball
Outstanding Athlete of the Year
Presented by Jackie Wilhelm (Rowing), Collin Travasos (Men's Soccer), Sara McClure (Women's Tennis), Logan Zapp (Men's Tennis)
Male: Austin O'Connor, Wrestling
Female: Aranza Vazquez, Women's Diving
Outstanding Team of the Year
Presented by Madi Pry (Women's Soccer) and Reza Merchant (Men's Fencing)
Field Hockey and Women's Lacrosse
John Lotz Award
Presented by Carlie Myrtle (Softball) and Riley Quartermain (Women's Golf)
Hallie Thompson (Gymnastics), Logan McGovern (Men's Lacrosse)
Mildred McCaskill Award
Presented by Max Carlson (Baseball) and Alyssa Ustby (Women's Basketball)
Aleigh Gambone (Women's Soccer), Nik Pry (Baseball)
Diversity & Inclusion Award
Presented by Kiannah Pierce (Softball) and Carson Overbeck (Volleyball)
Student-Athletes Facilitating Equity (SAFE)
Top Six for Service
Baseball team, Alex Breschi (men's lacrosse), Reza Merchant (men's fencing), Sophie Silverstein (Gymnastics), Dorrit Eisenbeis and Katie Dixon (field hockey), and Kaimon Rucker and Christopher Holliday (Football)
Unsung Hero
Presented by Asha Means (Women's Soccer) and Quenzi Huerman (Men's Soccer)
Staff of the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes
NCAA Champions swept the night's biggest honors, with diver Aranza Vazquez named Female Athlete of the Year, wrestler Austin O'Connor Male Athlete of the Year, and the undefeated field hockey and women's lacrosse teams sharing the Rammy for Outstanding Team of the Year.
After members of UNC's 28 teams, as well as coaches and staff members, walked the Carolina blue carpet into Memorial Hall, the evening kicked off with a highlight video that had each Tar Heel team cheering loudly for every appearance. The Carolina Girls dance team then took the stage for a number that brought out the evening's hosts, Malu Tshitenge of women's basketball and Kaimon Rucker from football, who joined the dancers for the end of their routine.
Tshitenge and Rucker got the crowd laughing with jokes about NIL and the transfer portal, and some comparisons to 2013, the first year that the Rammys were held. Then they turned attention to the awards.
The first honors of the night went to the Male and Female Newcomers of the Year, David Ford from men's golf and Ally Sentnor from women's soccer.
The Rammy for Best Play went to football's Drake Maye and Antoine Green for the winning touchdown in UNC's victory at Duke.
The Rammy for Best Championship Performance went to Aranza Vazquez, who won two NCAA titles in women's diving last month.
Austin O'Connor from wrestling and Fiona Crawley from women's tennis were honored for Best Individual Performances.
The Rammys for Breakthrough Athlete went to gymnast Lali Dekanoidze and runner Ethan Strand.
Women's basketball received the Rammy for Best Upset, recognizing a string of three straight home wins over higher-ranked teams.
Armando Bacot from men's basketball was honored with the Rammy for Record-Breaking Performance.
The Tar Heels also handed out several special awards based on performance outside of competition. The John Lotz Award recognizes student-athletes who have fought through challenges on the way to representing the Tar Heels. This year's honorees are Hallie Thompson (gymnastics), who has overcome two ACL tears, and Logan McGovern (men's lacrosse), who has battled cystic fibrosis.
The student group Student-Athletes Facilitating Equity (SAFE) was honored with the Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Top Six for Service Awards went to the baseball team, Alex Breschi (Men's Lacrosse), Reza Merchant (Men's Fencing), Sophie Silverstein (Gymnastics), Dorrit Eisenbeis and Katie Dixon (Field Hockey), and Kaimon Rucker and Christopher Holliday (Football)
The McCaskill Award, recognizing outstanding seniors, went to Aleigh Gambone (Women's Soccer) and Nik Pry (Baseball).
The staff of the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes was honored with the Unsung Hero Rammy.
Best Dressed honors went to Elijah Green (Football), who wore a Carolina blue suit, and Ella Webb (Women's Fencing), who was also one of the evening's performers, playing the harp, a Rammys first.
Other performers were Sarah Followill (Women's Fencing), who played piano and sang, and JoEllen Driscoll, who also sang.
The final performer was Michael Spragley, aka Speedy Sprag, from the men's cross country/track and field teams. He had the crowd on its feet (sure, he asked everyone to stand, but they probably would have gotten up anyway) as he rapped about the student-athlete experience, name-checking coaches and student-athletes as they prepared to head for the exits and a post-event ice cream party.
But first there was one last thing to do: as with all UNC events, the night ended with all in attendance singing, swaying and clapping to the alma mater, Hark the Sound.
2023 Rammy Award Winners
Outstanding Newcomers
Presented by Kate Burgess (Rowing), Quinn Closson (Men's Soccer), Elijah Green (Football) and Bri Greenlow (Gymnastics)
Male: David Ford, Men's Golf
Female: Ally Sentnor, Women's Soccer
Best Play
Presented by Deja Kelly (Women's Basketball) and Boyd Poelke (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Drake Maye pass to Antoine Green, Football
Best Championship Performance
Presented by Georgia Nel (Women's Swimming & Diving) and Chance Carroll (Football)
Aranza Vazquez, Women's Swimming and Diving
Best Individual Performances
Presented by Marissa Meyerhoefer (Volleyball), Duwe Farris (Men's Basketball), Brieanna Romney (Women's Swimming & Diving) and Alex Breschi (Men's Lacrosse)
Male: Austin O'Connor, Wrestling
Women: Fiona Crawley, Women's Tennis
Best Breakthrough Athlete
Presented by Sophia Patel (Women's Tennis), Anuj Watane (Men's Tennis), Kiersten Thomassey (Field Hockey), Drake Maye (Football)
Male: Ethan Strand, Men's Track & Field
Female: Lali Dekanoidze, Gymnastics
Best Upset
Presented by Alex Brown (Softball) and Mac Horvath (Baseball)
Women's Basketball for three consecutive home wins over higher ranked teams
Record-Breaking Performance
Presented by Elizabeth Hillman (Women's Lacrosse), Kenan Poole (Men's Golf)
Armando Bacot, Men's Basketball
Outstanding Athlete of the Year
Presented by Jackie Wilhelm (Rowing), Collin Travasos (Men's Soccer), Sara McClure (Women's Tennis), Logan Zapp (Men's Tennis)
Male: Austin O'Connor, Wrestling
Female: Aranza Vazquez, Women's Diving
Outstanding Team of the Year
Presented by Madi Pry (Women's Soccer) and Reza Merchant (Men's Fencing)
Field Hockey and Women's Lacrosse
John Lotz Award
Presented by Carlie Myrtle (Softball) and Riley Quartermain (Women's Golf)
Hallie Thompson (Gymnastics), Logan McGovern (Men's Lacrosse)
Mildred McCaskill Award
Presented by Max Carlson (Baseball) and Alyssa Ustby (Women's Basketball)
Aleigh Gambone (Women's Soccer), Nik Pry (Baseball)
Diversity & Inclusion Award
Presented by Kiannah Pierce (Softball) and Carson Overbeck (Volleyball)
Student-Athletes Facilitating Equity (SAFE)
Top Six for Service
Baseball team, Alex Breschi (men's lacrosse), Reza Merchant (men's fencing), Sophie Silverstein (Gymnastics), Dorrit Eisenbeis and Katie Dixon (field hockey), and Kaimon Rucker and Christopher Holliday (Football)
Unsung Hero
Presented by Asha Means (Women's Soccer) and Quenzi Huerman (Men's Soccer)
Staff of the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes
Congratulations to all of tonight's #RAMMYs2023 winners 🏆⤵️ pic.twitter.com/qYl7dTKpr2— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) April 25, 2023
Players Mentioned
F/C
/ Men's Basketball
Defensive Midfielder
/ Men's Lacrosse
UT
/ Softball
/ Women's Rowing
RHP
/ Baseball
Offensive Line
/ Football
GK
/ Men's Soccer
/ Women's Tennis
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
Midfielder/Back
/ Field Hockey
Throws
/ Track & Field
Back/Midfielder
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Men's Basketball
Foil/Right Hand
/ Fencing
/ Men's Golf
Midfielder/Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Running Back
/ Football
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
Midfielder
/ Women's Lacrosse
Defensive Back
/ Football
INF/OF
/ Baseball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Quarterback
/ Football
/ Women's Tennis
Attackman
/ Men's Lacrosse
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Epee/Right Hand
/ Fencing
L/DS
/ Volleyball
P/UTL
/ Softball
Free, IM
/ Swimming & Diving
/ Wrestling
L/DS
/ Volleyball
/ Women's Tennis
OF
/ Softball
Fly
/ Swimming & Diving
/ Men's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Sprint Free, Fly
/ Swimming & Diving
Jack
/ Football
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Midfielder
/ Field Hockey
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
F
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
Diving
/ Swimming & Diving
/ Men's Tennis
Foil
/ Fencing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Men's Tennis
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