TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 3, 2024) – The Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) has announced the winners of its 2024 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, 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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Victor Figueroa
Florida SouthWestern | Baseball
So. | State College, Pa.
- NJCAA Division I First-team All-America
- FCSAA Division I Baseball Player of the Year
- Led Florida SouthWestern to a berth in the FCSAA Baseball Championship Round as champions of the Fort Myers Regional
- Named to the FCSAA All-Tournament Team
- Won the FCSAA's Division I "Triple Crown," leading all players in batting average (.421), home runs (17) and RBI
- 2024 stats: .421 batting average, 17 home runs, 79 RBI
"We knew from day one that Victor was going to be a special player for us, but I don't know if even we thought he was going to be able to put up the type of numbers that he did for us this year. To win the Triple Crown in the best NJCAA Region in the country, against some of the best arms at our level is an incredible accomplishment. He shattered our single-season records for batting average, hits, and RBIs and did so in some really big spots for us. We are very proud of him earning this honor as he is the first FSW student-athlete to be named the FCSAA Male Athlete of the Year." - George Sanders, Director of Athletics, Florida SouthWestern State College
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Female Athlete of the Year
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J'dah Girigorie
Indian River State | Softball
Fr. | Willemstad, Curacao
- NJCAA Division I Pitcher of the Year
- NJCAA Division I First-team All-America
- FCSAA Division I Softball Player of the Year
- Led Indian River State to the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series Championship
- Named the NJCAA World Series Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Pitcher
- Led Indian River State to the FCSAA Division I Softball Championship
- Named to the FCSAA All-Tournament Team and was the Tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher
- 2024 stats: 37-7, 7 saves, 1.56 ERA, 251.IP, 311 K
"J'dah is the total package. She's a fierce competitor, outstanding student, and, above all, an amazing teammate and person. She's simply one of, if not the most talented and focused athletes I've ever known. Her accomplishments this season are incredible and the accolades given to her are well-deserved." - Dale Atkinson, Head Softball Coach, Indian River State College
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Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year
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Xavier Lopez
Daytona State | Baseball
So. | Orlando, Fla.
- Bill Tuten Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
- NJCAA First-team All-Academic
- Earned his A.A. degree from Daytona State in May 2024
- Graduated with a 3.93 GPA
- Selected Division I First-team All-FCSAA
- Named Daytona State's Baseball Player of the Year in 2024
- Led the Citrus Conference with a .445 batting average and also posted eight home runs and 46 RBI
- Spearheaded the team's efforts to be invovled in the community with events such as SPARC of Volusia County, American Heart Association Annual Heart Walk and participated in camps for under privileged youth in Volusia County.
"In my 24 years as head baseball coach at Daytona State College, Xavier is as great a student-athlete as I've had the honor to coach. He is a leader on and off the field, a champion of giving back to his community and Daytona State College. He is the first to volunteer and the last one to leave the field every day!" This is why Xavier has every opportunity to be a highly successful individual." - Tim Touma, Head Baseball Coach, Daytona State College
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Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
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Ashlyn Shirah
Northwest Florida State | Softball
So. | Slidell, La.
- Jean Williams Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
- NJCAA First-team All-Academic
- Earned her A.A. degree from Northwest Florida State in May 2024
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.00 GPA
- Named NJCAA Division I Third-team All-America and Division I First-team All-FCSAA
- Led the Raiders to their best two seasons in the 35-year history of the program, which included a NJCAA Runners-up finish in 2023 and NJCAA Semifinals in 2024
- In 2024, she batted .418 with 13 home runs and 78 RBI
- Active in numerous community service projects, including Challenger League, heart walk, breast cancer awareness and community engagement on behalf of NWFSC.
"For the past two years, Ashlyn has been a pillar of our program through her leadership, selflessness, academic determination, and athletic contributions. I am absolutely thrilled for her to be recognized as the top female scholar-athlete in the FCSAA. The impact she made at Northwest Florida State College will be felt for years to come and this honor will add a significant highlight to her outstanding career as a Raider." - Ramsey Ross, Director of Athletics, Northwest Florida State College
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Male Academic Team of the Year (11+ participants)
Daytona State College Baseball
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Team GPA: 3.85
Head Coach: Tim Touma
Team members: Michael Baumgardner, Chase Booth, Tyler Borton, Caden Brown, Nate Cannizzaro, Brett Corbitt, Noah Couch, Scott Edwards, Joseph Ervin, Anthony Florio, Jake Gibson, Sebastian Grafmyre, Brady Ham, Austin Harford, Preston Heben, Clayton Hendry, Jaxon Junnila, Xavier Lopez, Wyatt Mummert, Connor O'Sullivan, Jeremiah Pachota, Caleb Parmer, Adam Parzych, Charlier Pellicer, William Rollings, Bryce Roth, Todd Rushing, Erik Underwood
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Male Academic Team of the Year (10 or fewer participants)
College of the Florida Keys Swimming & Diving
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Team GPA: 3.23
Head Coach: Lori Bosco
Team members: Corey Krapf, Seth Bullard, Juan Carlos Foster, Edward Kertis, Jr., Kaemon Fagley, Mason Egan
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Female Academic Team of the Year (11+ participants)
Daytona State College Softball
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Team GPA: 3.81
Head Coach: Ben Greer
Team members: Hope Barnett, Bailey Bessette, Kaili Cannon, Morgan Davis, Kadrianna Grinstead, Bianca Guerra, Kiera Mainolfi, Olivia McCroan, Madison Mitzel, Gissel Morales, Cristina Penney, Sky Ramos, Emma Ream, Bailee Riggins, Logan Ringel, Allizaya Talamantes, Sara Tumbleson, Brianna Weimer
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Female Academic Team of the Year (10 or fewer participants)
Daytona State College Golf
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Team GPA: 3.82
Head Coach: Laura Brown
Team members: Kaley Amuso, Madison Balaskiewicz, Rachel Carlson, Angelica Holman, Samantha Paradise, Analiese Raath, Samantha Stites, Tylar Whiting
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