TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 27, 2023) – The Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) has announced the winners of its 2022-23 Athletic and Academic Awards.
Male and Female Athletes of the Year were selected from nominees from each FCSAA Championship Sport's Player of the Year recipient, as well as individuals submitted from other sports sanctioned by the FCSAA (golf, soccer, swimming & diving, track & field), provided the nominee was named NJCAA All-America.
Likewise, all FCSAA Championship Sports selected a Scholar-Athlete of the Year who were considered for the statewide award, in addition to nominees from other FCSAA sports. Nominees must have accumulated 48 credit hours with a minimum 3.30 GPA and completed at least three full-time terms, including at least one at a FCSAA instituion. Citizenship, community service and athletic prowess may be taken into consideration.
Male and Female Academic Teams of the Year for small (10 or fewer participants) and large (11+ participants) rosters were also selected.
All awards were voted on by the Council for Athletic Affairs' Executive Board.
Male Athlete of the Year
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Kevin Karstetter
State College of Florida | Baseball
So. | State College, Pa.
- NJCAA First-team All-America
- FCSAA Division I Baseball Player of the Year
- Suncoast Conference Player of the Year
- Led State College of Florida to the Suncoast Conference Championship and a spot in the FCSAA Baseball Championship Round as champions of the Bradenton Regional
- Two-time Region 8 Player of the Week in 2023
- 2023 stats: .415 BA, 12 HR, 77 RBI, 69 R, 16 SB
"I applaud the FCSAA for recognizing Kevin as the FCSAA Male Athlete of the Year. Kevin is an all-around talent - he is a charismatic leader, a scholar, and an incredible hitter. His bat-to-ball skills are unmatched, as evidenced by his 31-game hit streak during the 2023 season, shattering a school record held since 1999. Whenever there was a big moment this season, it seemed to stem from the bat of Kevin Karstetter. Everyone wanted him at the plate in a big spot, and he consistently delivered. Kevin wholeheartedly deserves this honor." - Nick Cichielo, Director of Athletics, State College of Florida
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Female Athlete of the Year
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Belle Sardja
Florida SouthWestern | Softball
So. | Tampa, Fla.
- NJCAA and NFCA First-team All-America
- Two-time National Champion (2022, 2023)
- 2023 NJCAA Pitcher of the Tournament, 2022 NJCAA Tournament MVP
- 2023 FCSAA Champion
- 2023 Jean Williams Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
- FCSAA Division I Pitcher of the Year
- Southern Confernece Pitcher of the Year
- 2023 stats: 25-2, 5 saves, 0.88 ERA, 175.0 IP, 121 K
"This is a tremendous honor for one of our most decorated student-athletes ever. It is a wonderful culmination to the two years Belle spent representing Florida SouthWestern State College and Buccaneer Softball on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. I could not be happier for Belle, her family, her teammates, and the staff as they all get a chance to celebrate her with this recognition." - George Sanders, Director of Athletics, Florida SouthWestern State College
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Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year
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Wilson Perkins
Northwest Florida State | Baseball
RS-Fr. | Niceville, Fla.
- Bill Tuten Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
- NJCAA First-team All-Academic
- 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) while pitching in 40 innings
"From the first day he stepped on campus, I was thoroughly impressed with Wilson's work ethic. Academically, his achievements are evident. His sterling GPA and incredible academic record are shining examples of what we strive for all of our student-athletes to accomplish. I know what he represents, how he's gone about achieving success on and off the field, and how much of a great representative he has been for Northwest Florida State College and FCSAA Baseball." - Ramsey Ross, Athletic Director, Northwest Florida State College
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Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
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Gina Miller
Indian River State | Swimming
So. | Johannesburg, South Africa
- 2023 NJCAA Betty Jo Graber Award recipient, presented to the Female Student-Athlete of the Year
- 2023 NATYCAA Scholar-Athlete Team
- NJCAA First-team All-Academic
- Earned her A.A. degree in April, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA
- Two-time NJCAA Female Swimmer of the Year (2022, 2023)
- Led Indian River State to consecutive National Championships in 2022 and 2023
- 13-time NJCAA National Champion (7 individual events, 6 relays)
- 13-time NJCAA and CSCAA All-American
- NJCAA record holder in the 500 free and 1000 free
"Upon arrival at IRSC, Gina proved to be a dominant force for the women's swim program in the classroom, practice and competition. Her career at Indian River proved an individual can be successful at the highest levels both in the classroom and in their chosen sport. Combined with her perfection in the classroom, her athletic ability was near perfection as well. She is an outstanding student-athlete and has worked hard to dedicate herself to becoming the best she can be both in the classroom and in the pool." - Scott Kimmelman, Director of Athletics, Indian River State College
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Male Academic Team of the Year (11+ participants)
Daytona State College Baseball
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Team GPA: 3.77
Head Coach: Tim Touma
Team members: Michael Baumgardner, Joseph Becker, Clay Callan, Nate Cannizzaro, Jeremy Cardona, Andrew Dawson, Scott Edwards, Sebastian Grafmyre, Austin Harford, Preston Heben, Clayton Hendry, Hayden Henry, Jaxon Junnila, Xavier Lopez, Nolan Mason, Larson McMaster, Aydan McNelly, Devon Nowells, Noah Palmese, Caleb Parmer, Adam Parzych, Charlie Pellicer, Bryce Roth, Todd Rushing, Nic Schinina, Will Slinkard, Sean Sparling, Nate Stanley
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Male Academic Team of the Year (10 or fewer participants)
Pasco-Hernando State College Cross Country
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Team GPA: 3.09
Head Coach: Lee Rietsma
Team members: Ronnie Aeschleman, Luis Cruzado, Tom Palamar, Sawyer Raveling, Joel Rodriguez-Morales, Cody Smith, Seth Stringer, Thomas Tyler
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Female Academic Team of the Year (11+ participants)
Northwest Florida State College Softball
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Team GPA: 3.73
Head Coach: Andy Lee
Team members: Sheonte Barginere, Brilee Broussard, Allison Brunson, Kamryn Carver, Riley Gibson, Gyvan Hammons, Maycie Hardy, Rycca Hinton, Kassidy Hood, Sophia Jones, Emmalie Langston, Rani Meaux, Julia Petty, Abigail Pippen, Ashlyn Shirah, Madison Stewart, Sydney Stewart, Layla Thompson, Kylee Trotter, Autumn Vessier
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Female Academic Team of the Year (10 or fewer participants)
Daytona State College Golf
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Team GPA: 3.77
Head Coach: Laura Brown
Team members: Kaley Amuso, Ashleigh Angelo, Rachel Carlson, Angelica Holman, Analiese Raath, Alexis Rieli, Madison Tenore
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