TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 21, 2023) – The Florida College System Activities Association has announced the 2022-23 Scholar-Athlete of the Year winners across its platform of Championship sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, softball, women's tennis, volleyball and beach volleyball.
From a total of 37 nominees, nine individuals were selected through a process coordinated by each FCSAA sport chair.
The nine individual winners are now under consideration for FCSAA Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, which are part of the FCSAA's End-of-Year Awards that includes Male and Female Athlete of the Year and Male and Female Academic Teams of the Year.
Finalists for all awards will be released Friday, June 23. Winners will be announced Tuesday, June 27.
Beach Volleyball Scholar-Athlete Award
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Lola Vidamour, Palm Beach State
So. | Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Earned her A.A. degree from Palm Beach State in May...graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.95 GPA...the most decorated beach player at the two-year level and led the Panthers to the inaugural FCSAA and NJCAA Championships playing with Angelina Botolino as the #1 pair...NJCAA First-team All-America doubles...FCSAA Player of the Year, FCSAA Pair of the Year and NJCAA Pair of the Tournament...volunteered in several community service events, as well as on-campus activities.
"I can attest firsthand what an outstanding individual Lola is both on and off the court. She competed with an energy and passion that was infectious, consistently pushing herself and her teammates. If there was an award to win, Lola won it." - John Scarpino, Director of Athletics, Palm Beach State College
Other nominees: Kirby Mason, St. Johns River State; Kaylin McCann, Lake-Sumter State
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Hal Chasey Award (men's basketball)
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Cole Deptula, Santa Fe
RS-Fr. | Middleton, Wisc.
Earned his A.A. degree from Santa Fe in April...graduated with a 3.55 GPA...hard worker and committed student who was a critical part of Santa Fe's team as a starter and consistent contributer...started in 28 games in 2022-23, averaging 8.3 points and 3.3 rebounds...was the Saints' leading three-point shooter at 40.0 percent.
"Cole makes those around him better and is always doing the extra needed to not just be sucessful temporarily but in the long term. I hope that all student-athletes display his maturity, work ethic and commitment in all areas of the college including academically and athletically as well as in the community." - Chanda Stebbins, Director of Athletics, Santa Fe College
Other nominees: Allen Udemadu, Florida SouthWestern
Hal Chasey was a long-time supporter of athletics at the former Manatee Community College, now State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, and the FCSAA.
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Sandy Miller Award (women's basketball)
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Abbey Cracknell, Gulf Coast State
So. | Sydney, Australia
Earned her A.A. degree from Gulf Coast State in May, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA...two-year starter for the Commodores, helping Gulf Coast State attain a No. 1 NJCAA ranking and a berth in the 2023 NJCAA Tournament...First-team All-Panhandle Conference in 2023, averaging 11.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists...active in the community, volunteering at local schools and charities...has Ivy League and Big East offers.
"If anyone is deserving of this award as player and a person it is Abbey Cracknell. She made the most of her opportunity here at Gulf Coast State college and the NJCAA and will now attend one of the most prestigious universities in the world." - Mike Kandler, Director of Athletics, Gulf Coast State College
Other nominees: Danea Mackey, Daytona State; Natalia Tondi, Florida SouthWestern
Sandy Miller was a coach at Santa Fe College, long-time chair of the Women's Basketball Committee and former NJCAA Assistant Region Director.
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Larry Monts Award (men's cross country)
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Colton Berquist, Lake-Sumter State
So. | Winter Garden, Fla.
Earned his A.A. degree from Lake-Sumter State in May, graduated with academic excellence honors after maintaining a 3.80 GPA...participated in Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society...the Lakehawks' record holder in the 8K...All-FCSAA performer in 2022 after a third-place finish at the FCSAA Championships...led Lake-Sumter State to a FCSAA runner-up finish in 2022 and eighth-place finish at the NJCAA Championships...volunteered at a variety of 5K runs, and youth and high school track events, as well as professional track meets at Clermont's National Training Center...has also been involved with the LSSC Foundation's fundraising activities and volunteers with Lake County Library's annual book sale...will enroll and run at Tulsa University.
"Colton's character, academic commitment, and athletic prowess truly exhibit his personal qualities as a student-athlete. His (resume) clearly represents his breadth of experience and willingness to excel in the classroom, while making contributions in his sport and to the community." - Mike Matulia, Director of Athletics, Lake-Sumter State College
Other nominees: Brennan Popik, Florida State College at Jacksonville
Larry Monts was a coach and professor at the former Florida Community College at Jacksonville, now Florida State College at Jacksonville, from 1967 to 2001. He coached both men's and women's cross country and track & field, led FCCJ to two cross country national championships and coached 43 NJCAA All-Americans.
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Larry Monts Award (women's cross country)
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Gabrielle Marshall, Pasco-Hernando State
So. | Tampa, Fla.
Earned her A.A. degree from Pasco-Hernando State in Fall 2021 and a Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing in Summer 2022...has achieved a 3.34 GPA...runner-up at the 2022 FCSAA Championships to earn All-FCSAA honors...led Pasco-Hernando State to consecutive FCSAA Championships and eighth place finishes at the NJCAA Championships in 2021 and 2022...finished 12th at the 2020 NJCAA Half Marathon to earn All-America honors from the NJCAA Cross Country Coaches Association...placed 29th at 2022 NJCAA Cross Country Championships to earn All-America honors from the NJCAA Cross Country Coaches Association...while enrolled, continually worked at Moffitt Cancer Center and is currently employed as a neurology nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa...also serves as a special need's ministry and youth volunteer and worship leader in her local church.
"Gabrielle has not only exhibited outstanding leadership and dedication to the cross country team but has excelled in the classroom. She is truly deserving for all her achievements as a student-athlete at Pasco-Hernando State College the last three years." - Steve Winterling, Director of Athletics, Pasco-Hernando State College
Other nominees: Heidi Kearney, Central Florida; Megan O'Sullivan, South Florida State
Larry Monts was a coach and professor at the former Florida Community College at Jacksonville, now Florida State College at Jacksonville, from 1967 to 2001. He coached both men's and women's cross country and track & field, led FCCJ to two cross country national championships and coached 43 NJCAA All-Americans.
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Vicki Schnurr Award (women's tennis)
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Alicia Gomez, Hillsborough
So. | Castellon, Spain
Completed her A.A. degree in Business Administration at Hillsborough in May...achieved a 3.57 GPA...after not making the Hawks' lineup as a freshman, she earned the No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles positions in 2022, helping lead Hillsborough to FCSAA and NJCAA Championships...NJCAA Champion at No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles to earn two NJCAA All-America honors...FCSAA Champion at No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles to earn a pair of All-FCSAA honors...finished season as the ITA's No. 17 singles player and part of No. 9 doubles pair in the NJCAA...qualified for the ITA Cup in doubles.
"I have seen Alicia grow as an athlete, a student, and a person over the last two years. Her hard work, determination and spirit helped her claim her position on the team while earning the respect and admiration of her teammates to where they would look to her for leadership and guidance." - Sarah Lytle, Director of Athletics, Hillsborough Community College
Vicki Schnurr was Chair of the State Tennis Committee and Coach at Hillsborough Community College.
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Roberta Stokes Award (volleyball)
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Alice Munari, Hillsborough
So. | OF
Boynton Beach, Fla.
Earned her A.A. degree from Hillsborough in May 2023...graduated with high honors after achieving a 3.95 GPA...All-FCSAA and NJCAA Honorable Mention All-America performer for the Hawks in 2022...averaged 3.3 kills and 2.6 digs per set...lauded for her leadership, hard work and community outreach...will attend Old Dominion University.
"Alice has been a standout in the classroom and on the court, but what is not written on paper and listed on a stat sheet is her sophomore leadership and true dedication to the volleyball program and Hillsborough Community College. Her leadership, hard work and community outreach are the reasons she received my nomination." - Sarah Lytle, Director of Athletics, Hillsborough Community College
Other nominees: Maiana Coelho, Florida SouthWestern; Haylee Rhoads, State College of Florida; Tara English, St. Johns River State; Greta Klotz, Indian River State; Alina Carrillo, Daytona State; Melanie Oglesby, Santa Fe; Tiara Lindsey, South Florida State
Roberta Stokes was a longtime Volleyball Coach at Miami Dade College-Kendall Campus.
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Bill Tuten Award (baseball)
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Wilson Perkins, Northwest Florida State
RS-Fr. | Niceville, Fla.
Earned his A.A. degree from Northwest Florida State in December 2022...graduated Summa Cum Laude after achieving a 4.0 GPA...overcame a devastating injury to enjoy success both on and off the field...helped the Raiders to the Panhandle Conference Championship and a spot in the FCSAA Baseball Championship Round as champions of the Niceville Regional...anchored the Northwest Florida State bullpen and led the team in ERA (2.93).
"Among the 19 years I have worked for Northwest Florida State College, Wilson is among the top standouts due to his academic success, community engagement, athletic prowess, hard work, and social and moral standards. The way (he) makes his academics a priority is what I, as Athletic Director, will always point to as the standard for our programs." - Ramsey Ross, Athletic Director, Northwest Florida State College
Other nominees: Matt Brown, St. Petersburg; Tyler Kennedy, Florida SouthWestern; Reid Lisle, South Florida State; Jack Slater, St. Johns River State; Nathan Stanley, Daytona State; Tyler Van Dyke, Seminole State
Bill Tuten served as the FCSAA Athletics Commissioner and NJCAA Region 8 Director for 24 years, representing St. Johns River Community College. A member of the FCSAA Hall of Fame, Tuten's high regard for the importance of a quality education along with athletic opportunities for student-athletes has been a driving force for academic excellence in Florida.
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Jean Williams Award (softball)
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Belle Sardja, Florida SouthWestern
So. | Tampa, Fla.
Earned her A.A. degree from Florida SouthWestern in May...public relations major who graduated with a 3.85 GPA...two-time National Champion (2022, 2023)...was the Most Valuable Player of the 2022 NJCAA Tournament and named the Pitcher of the Tournament in 2023...First-team All-America in 2023 by both the NJCAA and NFCA...2023 FCSAA Pitcher of the Year...participated in more than 20 community/campus service projects while enrolled at Florida SouthWestern, including Fort Myers Greek Festival, Chapin Food Bank and reading at elementary schools...will enroll at the University of South Florida.
"Belle is a perfect example of a student-athlete and is a player that Jean (Williams) would have loved to have coached." - George Sanders, Director of Athletics, Florida SouthWestern State College
Other nominees: Saley Bond, Florida State College at Jacksonville; Kreighton Steinke, Lake-Sumter State; Naomi Suzuki, Miami Dade; Abrianna Hickox, Santa Fe; Keivana Durand, Seminole State; Abby Dickson, St. Petersburg; Kailynn James, Tallahassee
Jean Williams was the softball coach at the former Lake City Community College, now Florida Gateway College, and also served as the FCSAA Women's Athletics Commissioner and NJCAA Region Director for more than 20 years.
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