Towson Athletics Hands Out 2024-25 Golden Paws Awards

TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University athletics department, in conjunction with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), announced the winners of the 2024-25 Golden PAWS awards show. The Golden PAWS event took place at SECU Arena on Monday night, May 12.

The awards were nominated and voted on by athletics senior staff members, head coaches and SAAC representatives.

Athlete of the Year
Acknowledges the season-changing impact of one student-athlete this athletic year.
--Male: Mikey Weisshaar, men's lacrosse| Tyler Tejada, men's basketball
--Female: Isabella Minervini, gymnastics

Senior Career Achievement
Recognizes a student-athlete for outstanding achievements through their four (or five) years at Towson.
--Male: Devin Matthews, football
--Female: Cristal Cuervo, track & field | Riley Melendez, soccer

Rookie of the Year
A freshman (true or redshirt) that had an outstanding first season and positively impacted their team.
--Male: Ronan Fitzpatrick, men's lacrosse
--Female: Anouk Westerink, field hockey

Newcomer of the Year
A transfer that had an outstanding first season at Towson and positively impacted their team.
--Male: Max D'Alessandro, baseball
--Female: Kristin Strijdom, field hockey

Best Moment
Recognizes a student-athlete or team for the best moment/play of the year.
--Male: Men's lacrosse defeats Hofstra in overtime in the semifinals of CAA tournament
--Female: Piper Jons named Most Outstanding Performer at CAA Indoor Track & Field Championship

Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Recognizes the top academic performer who is of senior academic standing at Towson.
--Male: Joe Petro, men's lacrosse
--Female: Clara Hong, gymnastics

Strength & Conditioning Award
Recognizes the student-athlete with the greatest commitment to their strength & conditioning program.
--Male: Messiah Jones, men's basketball
--Female: Grace Franczyk, softball

MedStar Health Comeback Award
MedStar Health 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: Sam Reynolds, football
--Female: Erin Brothers, volleyball

Community Service Award
Recognizes a student-athlete who demonstrates a commitment to community service, involvement and general positivity in support of Towson University.
--Male: Christian Johnson, men's swimming & diving
--Female: Lauren Greene, gymnastics

SECU Arena Highlight of the Year
--Men's basketball winning CAA regular season championship in front of a record crowd of 4,750 at SECU Arena.

Tiger Cup
Given to the team which attended the most Towson athletic events this season.
--Winner: Gymnastics

Michele O'Connor Award
Chosen exclusively by Towson SAAC, honoring a Towson athletics staff member whose efforts go above and beyond enhancing the student-athlete experience.
--Winner: Greg Torcaso, strength and conditioning

Ted Zaleski Award
Honoring the top student fan of the year to Towson Athletics.
--Winner: Zinwoa Fontem

Campus Partner Award
--Winner: Taylor Yozwiak, Towson University Marching Band

Black & Gold Impact
--Winner: Carl Runk, Towson University Hall of Fame coach (men's lacrosse & football)

Thank you to Volo Sports for presenting all of our graduating Senior student athletes with a free Volo Pass membership, to continue their athletic endeavors beyond college.

Thank you to the following restaurants for their donations to the 2025 Golden Paws event: