News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M Athletics honored its student-athletes and programs at the 2025 Legacy Awards inside the Ford Hall of Champions Wednesday evening.
The Legacy Awards recognized Texas A&M team and student-athlete accomplishments for various academic, service, leadership and athletic endeavors from March 2024 to March 2025.
Highlighting the night was the announcement of Sam Whitmarsh from track & field and Chloe Stepanek of swimming & diving as the Men’s and Women’s Distinguished Letterman Award winners, which is the highest honor given to a student-athlete at Texas A&M.
The Distinguished Letterman Award
The Distinguished Letterman Award is considered one of the highest bestowed upon a student-athlete in their tenure at Texas A&M. A student-athlete who displays extraordinary talent and honor in the areas of athletics, scholarship, leadership and service.
Winners: Sam Whitmarsh (Track & Field), Chloe Stepanek (Swimming & Diving)
Whitmarsh exemplifies success in the classroom and on the playing field and has fought through multiple medical issues to become one of the greatest middle-distance runners in Texas A&M history. He claimed both the SEC Indoor and Outdoor Championship titles in the 800m during the 2024 season, while also logging a runner-up finish at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships. During last year’s outdoor campaign, he recorded a time of 1:44.46 in the 800m at the Battle on the Bayou, the eighth-fastest time in NCAA history. Continuing his success to this year’s indoor season, Whitmarsh defended his 800m indoor title, crossing the line in 1:47.69 for the win and 10 big points to the Aggies’ SEC team title winning effort. Whitmarsh was also named to The Bowerman Watch List for the first time in his career last year and remained on the list entering the 2025 indoor season. Off the track, Sam is in Maroon Coats while maintaining a 3.402 GPA in materials science and engineering.
Stepanek exemplifies the highest standards of excellence, both in the classroom and in the pool, while also demonstrating remarkable leadership and dedication to service. She has achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in both her undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences and pursuit of her master’s in kinesiology. She is a two-time Women’s Swimming & Diving SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honoree and two-time recipient of the Bill Erwin Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award as well as a four-time CSCAA Scholar All-American. She recently closed out her collegiate career as a 15-time All-American in the pool, five-time SEC medalist and remains as the school record-holder in the 200 free, as she has been instrumental throughout her career in elevating the team’s overall success. She also gives back through community service, consistently dedicating her time to making a positive impact beyond the pool and was recognized for the efforts when she was named to the 2025 SEC Community Service Team. Her exceptional character, relentless work ethic and unwavering dedication distinguishes her as the ideal representation of a Texas A&M student-athlete.
Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to the top male and female student-athletes based upon athletic excellence over the past year.
Winners: Jace LaViolette (Baseball), Mary Stoiana (Women’s Tennis)
LaViolette, one of the nation’s premier players, belted 29 homers, plated 78 runs, scored 87 times and batted .305 during an All-America campaign in 2024. LaViolette also added three triples, 16 doubles and a program-best 64 walks during his impressive 2024 season.
Nationally, the Aggie center fielder ranked inside the top 10 in homers, runs scored, total bases and walks en route to being named a First Team All-American by three different publications. In 68 games, all of which were starts, LaViolette logged 23 multi-hit, 20 multi-RBI and six multi-homer games. The junior also finished 2024 with a career-best 26-game on-base streak.
Prior to the start of the 2025 campaign, LaViolette was tabbed a unanimous Preseason All-American and the National Player of the Year by Baseball America and Perfect Game.
Over the last year, Stoiana has cemented her place as the best tennis player in school history. Last April she spearheaded the Aggies’ postseason run which ended in the program’s first national title. She earned NCAA Tournament MVP recognition as well as All-Tournament honors in both singles and doubles. Stoiana claimed the school’s first ITA National Player of the Year award, along with earning the CWSA Honda Award and her second SEC Player of the Year. This season, she leads the No. 2 Aggies with an 18-4 record in ranked singles matches. In March, Stoiana earned the prestigious Hurd Award and in December she represented Team USA as it won the Master’U BNP Paribas Title. She also claimed her first pro singles title in October.
Bill Erwin Scholar-Athlete of the Year
This award recognizes a student-athlete who balances athletics and scholarship with a minimum 3.25 GPA.
Winners: Wade Taylor IV (Men’s Basketball), Taylor Pounds (Soccer)
While completing his chase to become the men’s basketball all-time scoring king at Texas A&M, Taylor also graduated in three years with a degree in University Studies and currently carries a 3.5 grade point average as he pursues his master’s degree in applied youth development. A three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Taylor is also a three-time first-team All-SEC selection and two-time member of the SEC All-Tournament Team. An involved student, Wade was a recipient of the 2024 Buck Weirus Spirit Award, which honors students who make contributions to the university through participation in student organizations, Aggie traditions and university events, as well as being named to the 2025 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team for exceptional achievements in community service, athletics and academics.
A Super Aggie who made the 12th Man proud with her five years of service in the Maroon & White, Pounds was a spectacular performer on and off the field. She was a permanent fixture in the lineup since the day she stepped foot in Aggieland. Pounds played in 89 matches, all starts, logging 11 goals, four assists and 26 points as a defensive midfielder. She started the first 48 matches of her career before a season-ending injury in 2022 and the last 41 matches of her career following her return. Pounds ranks fifth all-time in matches started at Texas A&M, despite the time away for injury. The Woodlands, Texas, native earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting with a 3.936 cumulative GPA. She continued to shine in her master’s degree work. Pounds earned both College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll on four occasions.
Lohman Inspiration Award
This award recognizes a student-athlete who has demonstrated integrity and tenacity in overcoming incredible challenges in pursuit of their education. This person makes a commitment to working with and learning from others and is a good role model for others who struggle.
Winners: Matthis Ross (Men’s Tennis), Hayden Miller (Swimming & Diving)
Resiliency is the best way to describe Ross’s career at Texas A&M. A true fighter, Ross has overcome a pair of hip surgeries to become a key component of the No. 13 Aggie men’s tennis team’s 2024-25 season. The hip surgeries that Ross faced often are career-ending for tennis players and they took a full year of competition away from the native of England, but injuries did not take away his resolute determination to contribute to the team. Ross’s resiliency has paid off as he has battled back to become a mainstay of the Aggies’ lineup and he contributed crucial victories in 4-3 wins over SEC opponents Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, including a “last man standing” road win over the Commodores.
Miller has faced profound adversity with strength, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to her education and community. In 2021, Hayden experienced the devastating loss of her father due to complications from COVID-19. In the wake of this tragedy, she made the courageous decision to transfer to Texas A&M, seeking to be closer to her family and embrace the Aggie spirit. Hayden has remained steadfast in her pursuit of academic and athletic excellence, proving herself as a dedicated student-athlete who leads by example, serving as a team captain, becoming a multi-time All-American and SEC medalist since arriving in Aggieland. Her story serves as an inspiration to others who may be facing similar struggles, demonstrating that resilience and determination can turn adversity into growth.
Newcomer of the Year
This award recognizes a freshman or transfer student-athlete in their first year at Texas A&M who has made significant athletic contributions.
Winners: Gavin Grahovac (Baseball), Timara Chapman (Track & Field)
Grahovac, who was tabbed the 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year, started all 67 games he appeared in during his rookie campaign and slashed .298/.390/.596 to go with 23 home runs. The Orange, California, native’s 23 homers were a new program freshman record, surpassing LaViolette’s previous mark of 21. The Maroon & White third baseman also registered 85 hits, scored 83 times, drove in 66 runs and doubled 16 times.
As the leadoff man for the Aggies, Grahovac totaled 23 multi-hit contests, 17 multi-RBI performances and two multi-homer games. In the College World Series Finals, Grahovac became the first player in NCAA history to lead off the opening game with a homer.
In addition to SEC Freshman of the Year honors, Grahovac was named a Freshman All-American by three different publications, an ABCA/Rawlings Third Team All-American and a member of the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
Timara Chapman joined the Aggies for her final semester of eligibility during the 2024 outdoor season. Chapman quickly made her mark in the Maroon & White history books, as she recorded a 6,219-point total in the heptathlon to win the 44 Farms Team Invitational and ranked second in history for A&M. At the SEC Championships she kept up her winning ways, claiming the gold medal in the heptathlon with 6,124 points. Closing out her collegiate career on the brightest stage, Chapman captured the 2024 NCAA Championships outdoor heptathlon title with a personal best total of 6,339 points.
Center for Student-Athlete Services Award
This award recognizes student-athletes who have demonstrated consistent dedication to their academics by utilizing resources, improving their academic performance and always giving their best effort. They possess discipline needed to be successful in the classroom while upholding the Aggie Core Values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity and Selfless Service, and have served as role models for others who utilize the Center for Student-Athlete Services.
Winners: Togan Tokac (Men’s Tennis), Abby Martin (Track & Field)
Tokac always brings great energy and respect to anyone that he interacts with. His commitment to improving his work ethic academically has been inspiring to all those that work with him. He is always thinking ahead, communicating and advocating for himself so that he can balance his athletics and academic workloads.
Martin has shown incredible growth over the last year in her academics. She is constantly utilizing all of the resources available to her and everyone that works with her speaks highly of her character and drive to improve in the classroom.
Selfless Service Award
This award is given to the individual who has shown the greatest commitment to selfless service through a combination of the number of hours, number of projects completed and willingness to encourage others to serve.
Individual Winner: Shawn Mohseni (Swimming & Diving)
Team Winner: Equestrian
Mohseni volunteered a staggering 130 hours+ this year through his service as SAAC Vice President of Selfless Service, organizations like REVved Up to Read, TAMU Build, REACH, Aggieland Humane Society, Physicians Centre Hospital and Second Chance Shelter. His work in the Brazos Valley was vast and expansive and truly embodied the spirit of the award.
As a team, equestrian totaled 364.6 hours during the awards timeline. It participated in projects such as Legacy Nursing Home and Rehabilitation, Aggieland Humane Society, Aggies Can, FACE Mental Spreading Love. The equestrian program was bought into the Texas A&M Core Value of Selfless Service and went above and beyond in serving the community.
Team GPA Award
The team GPA award is given to the team with the highest grade-point average during the Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 semesters.
Winner: Soccer
The program secured a 3.53 GPA and won the award for the second consecutive year.
Student-Athlete Engagement Award
This award is presented to a student-athlete who has been heavily involved in all elements of the student-athlete engagement program, including leadership, career development and selfless service. They have also served as advocates and mentors for other students who are looking to get involved in the athletics department.
Winner: Jordan Chopane (Track & Field)
Chopane completed the Brand U Professional Development Program and was Chief Student-Athlete Engagement Officer of B.L.U.E.print. In October of 2024, he was one of 10 Texas A&M student-athletes to attend the SAE Career Tour in Houston that provided them the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore various career paths.
Aggie Comeback Award
The Aggie Comeback Award recognizes a student-athlete who has overcome athletic related injury and/or illness during their career at Texas A&M and has utilized resources provided through the athletic training staff and sports medicine program to comeback to continue performing in their sport.
Winners: Ryan Prager (Baseball), Camryn Dickson (Track & Field)
Prager, a 2024 NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist, emerged as one of the top pitchers in the nation during the 2024 season, logging a 9-1 record in 19 starts to go with a 2.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a team-high 124 strikeouts to only 20 walks. The lefty’s 124 punchouts ranked ninth all-time in program history and marked the first time since 2021 that an Aggie surpassed 100 strikeouts in a season. The Dallas, Texas, native held opponents to a .226 batting average and recorded a 6.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio that ranked second nationally.
During his outstanding 2024 season, Prager tossed nine quality starts and seven scoreless outings en route to earning All-America honors from three different outlets. In the offseason, Prager was selected in the third round of the MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels before deciding to return to Aggieland for another year.
Dickson sustained a broken foot in the fall of 2023 prior to starting the 2024 campaign. Her injury however didn’t hold her back, as, after a successful indoor season, she hit another gear outdoors winning six regular-season races. She followed that up by being a key piece of two point-scoring relays at the SEC Outdoor Championships. She set personal-best times of 11.10 in the 100 meters and 22.66 in the 200 meters at NCAA Regionals in Arkansas, punching her ticket to NCAA’s in both events. Dickson also stood out at the NCAA Championships in Oregon, securing First Team All-America status in the 4x400m relay and Second Team status in the 4x100m relay. Dickson carried her momentum from last year into this year’s indoor season, as she won her first-ever SEC individual medal in the 200m with a personal-best time of 22.86 to rank fourth all-time at A&M in the event.
12th Man of the Year
The 12th Man of the Year Award is given to an outstanding walk on student-athlete who epitomizes the spirit of the 12th Man.
Winners: Eric Casarez (Cross Country), Paige Lott (Softball)
Casarez joined the Aggies in 2019 and was a driving force for the men’s cross country team every season, while also delivering results for the men’s track & field team. Casarez ended his collegiate cross country career with a trip to the 2023 NCAA Cross Country Championships, his second time to make the meet as an Aggie. In his final indoor season, he continued to shine, adding two point-scoring performances at the SEC Championships in the 3,000m (8th) and 5,000m (6th), and finally outdoors in, Casarez secured important points for the Aggies with a fifth-place finish, equaling the highest finish of his SEC track & field career.
Lott has distinguished herself both on and off the field through exceptional leadership, dedication to service, and unwavering team spirit. In 2024, Lott was honored with the prestigious role of the Texas A&M softball team’s 12th Man—a historic recognition that marked the first time in over a decade an Aggie softball player was chosen for this title. Uniquely voted in by her teammates, this role signified the deep respect and admiration she earned within the program.
Her impact extended well beyond the diamond. As a 2024 SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) board member, Lott committed herself to serving the Bryan-College Station community. She actively participated in service opportunities, including AggiesCAN, a student-athlete-led food drive, and REVved Up to Read, a literacy outreach program that connects athletes with local schools. Her tireless community involvement earned her a spot on the 2024 SEC Community Service Team, highlighting her as one of the conference’s most committed servant leaders.
In 2025 after earning her undergraduate degree, Lott returned to the program in a new capacity, serving as a team manager. In this role, she continues to support the team behind the scenes—assisting coaches with practice prep, performing bat testing on game days, and ensuring daily operations run smoothly.
Lott’s dedication, integrity, and passion for service embody the spirit of Texas A&M. Her unique combination of leadership, selflessness, and heart made her an outstanding and deserving 12th Man of the Year award recipient.
Team of the Year
Winner: Women’s Tennis
The women’s tennis program won the 2024 National Championship and claimed its third regular season SEC title in a row. It also went undefeated at home with a perfect 12-0 ledger and a 28-7 overall record. The Aggies amassed 10 ranked wins on the year, including a 4-1 triumph over No. 7 Georgia for the NCAA crown.
All-Academic Team
This award recognizes the student-athletes with the highest cumulative GPA on each of their respective teams.
Grant Ashby – Track & Field
Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio – Women’s Golf
Ellie Gerbrandt – Equestrian
Ella Goodwin – Soccer
Kayal Gownder – Women’s Tennis
Levi Hancock – Football
Brooke Jeffrey – Volleyball
Maddie Jones – Track & Field
Grant Lothringer – Men’s Tennis
Scout Lovell – Softball
Shawn Mohseni – Swimming & Diving
Chloe Stepanek – Swimming & Diving
Wade Taylor IV – Men’s Basketball
Jack Usner – Men’s Golf
Troy Wansing – Baseball
Lauren Ware – Women’s Basketball