JMU Honors Yearly Accomplishments with 2025 JMA Awards

7/2/2025 6:00:00 PM | Administration

HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison celebrated its year of achievements both on and off the field of competition with the 2025 JMA (James Madison Athletics) Awards on Wednesday evening over social media.

Finalists: Maddie Epke (Lacrosse), Alexa Holloway (Swim & Dive), Peyton McDaniel (Women's Basketball)

Finalists: Alonza Barnett III (Football), Mark Freeman (Men's Basketball), Luca Nikolai (Men's Soccer)

Finalists: Savannah Derey (Lacrosse), Peyton McDaniel (Women's Basketball), Cassidy Strittmatter (Field Hockey)

Finalists: Jacob Dobbs (Football), Václav Tichý (Men's Golf), Demitri Turner (Men's Soccer)

Finalists: Reese Cuviello (Lacrosse), Ginny Lackey (Women's Soccer), Madison Wimmer (Swim & Dive)

Finalists: KJ Flowe (Football), Bryce Lindsay (Men's Basketball), Aurelien Schmitt (Men's Tennis)

Finalists: Billy Atkins (Football), Shea Collins (Women's Soccer), Maddie Epke (Lacrosse), Alexa Holloway (Swim & Dive)

Finalists: Football Boca Raton Bowl Champs, Swim & Dive Sun Belt Champs, Women's Soccer Sun Belt Champs

Finally, JMU Athletics announced its 2023-24 High GPA Honors to members of each class:

Freshman - Emily Evans (lacrosse), Harrison Lee (men's tennis)
Sophomore - Jeanette Fieldsend (women's soccer), Jordan Peterson (lacrosse), Andrew Johnson (men's soccer)
Junior - Emma Klanica (volleyball), Todd Mozoki (baseball)
Senior - Katelyn Morgan (lacrosse), Demitri Turner (men's soccer)

In addition to the JMAs, which are determined by the JMU Athletics administration, the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) voted on the Dukes Choice Awards, which were distributed during an awards program in April. Below is a summary of the Dukes Choice Awards.

Dukes Choice Awards 2025
HARD HAT AWARD: Presented to one student-athlete per sport who demonstrates commitment, integrity, and selflessness to their teammates by setting the gold standard for the team. The Hard Hat Award is designed to highlight the greatest teammate of the year and who best exemplifies the 21 Ways to be a Great Teammate by Jon Gordon.

Baseball: Wyatt Peifer
Women's Basketball: Bree Robinson
Cheerleading: Caroline Neely
Field Hockey: Brynna Hill
Football: Blake Kendall
Men's Golf: Daniel Cheng
Women's Golf: Maria Atwood
Lacrosse: Savannah Derey
Men's Soccer: Cooper Noseworthy
Women's Soccer: Jordan Yang
Softball: Lily Romero
Swimming & Diving: Riley Bridgman
Men's Tennis: Edson Sanchez
Women's Tennis: Elena Kraleva
Track & Field/Cross Country: Erica Moolman
Volleyball: Grace Wenrich

UNSEEN HERO: Presented to non-coaching staff members of the athletic department who have gone above and beyond to positively impact the student-athlete experience.

Baseball: Terrence Apted, Student-Athlete Services
Women's Basketball: Isaiah Dowling, Manager
Cheerleading: Morgan Mitchell, Sports Medicine
Field Hockey: John Bilello, Communications
Football: Amber Kohl, Sports Nutrition
Men's Golf: Steve Henderson, Student-Athlete Services
Women's Golf: Cory Kaplan, Sports Medicine
Lacrosse: Matt Mowad, Strength & Conditioning
Men's Soccer: Rebekah Barfield, Student-Athlete Services
Women's Soccer: Matt Holden, Strength & Conditioning
Softball: Morgan Baker, Sports Medicine
Swimming & Diving: Jackson Roper, Sports Medicine
Men's Tennis: Jackson Roper, Sports Medicine
Women's Tennis: Denise Lough, Administration & Operations
Track & Field/Cross Country: CJ Roth, Student-Athlete Services
Volleyball: Christian Carter, Strength & Conditioning

DUKES LEADER AWARD: Presented to two student-athletes who embody the spirit of the student-athlete leadership development program through their commitment to career readiness, community service, human development, and leadership enhancement. It is presented to the individuals who champion our credo: EQUIP. ENGAGE. EMPOWER.

Blake Kendall, Football
Kayleigh Reinke, Women's Golf

GOLD STAR AWARD: Presented to two student-athletes who have demonstrated commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence through grit, tenacity, and effective utilization of Student-Athlete Services (SAS) resources.

Ethan Espiricueta, Baseball
Hope Moulin, Women's Tennis

IRON DUKE AWARD: Presented to two student-athletes for outstanding performance and commitment to optimum strength and conditioning. It is presented to finalists who are hardworking, consistent, mentally and physically tough, and a model for fellow teammates to emulate.

Cooper Noseworthy, Men's Soccer
Kaia Putman, Track & Field

SERVANT LEADER AWARD: Presented to two student-athletes who have served numerous hours of community service and have made a significant contribution to the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County communities.

Emma Klanica, Volleyball
Phillip Harris, Football

TEAM COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Presented to a team who best exemplifies servant leadership by performing numerous hours of community service and has made a significant contribution to the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County communities.

Softball

SAAC REP OF THE YEAR: Presented to a representative of the student-athlete advisory committee. SAAC is a leadership group consisting of student-athletes representing all teams that meet throughout the year to positively impact the student-athlete experience.

Sierra Puleo, Cross Country - 2nd year in a row

COMEBACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Presented to one student-athlete who overcame adversity or hardship to persevere in their respected sport. Consider nominating a student-athlete who has successfully re-emerged to excel in competition.

Carolyn Thistlewaite, Lacrosse

PURPLE & GOLD AWARD: The Purple & Gold Award is the Athletic Department's highest honor given at the Dukes Choice Awards. It is presented to the student-athlete who embodies success across athletics, academics, service, overall engagement, and embodies the true definition of a Duke. This award winner possesses dedication, teamwork, and a selflessness that is valued and celebrated by JMU Athletics.

Cassidy Strittmatter, Field Hockey

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