Charleston Athletics Celebrates 2024 Coug Awards

Charleston, S.C. – April 26, 2024

Sixteen special award winners and senior student-athletes across all 19 varsity sports were honored at the 2024 College of Charleston Athletics Coug Awards on Thursday night at TD Arena. The event was hosted by Sophia Cucinotta from women’s track & field and Bunny Nazari from women’s soccer.

J. Stewart Walker Cup

Junior Caroline Berg from the equestrian team was honored with the prestigious J. Stewart Walker Cup, which is the highest award given by the athletics department to a deserving student-athlete. The award is named after J. Stewart Walker, Jr., a 1978 CofC graduate, who was very active in athletics until his death in 1983. The other five finalists for the award included Cole Mathis from baseball, Anika McGarity and Jenna Annecchiarico from women’s basketball, Bunny Nazari from women’s soccer, and Ante Brzovic from men’s basketball.

Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year

Jenna Annecchiarico from women’s basketball and Ante Brzovic from men’s basketball were honored as the athletic department’s Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year.

Newcomers of the Year

Junior CJ Fulton from men’s basketball and rookie Taryn Barbot from women’s basketball were the recipients of the Male and Female Newcomer of the Year Award.

Commitment to Excellence Award

The Commitment to Excellence Award was bestowed on senior Bunny Nazari from women’s soccer for demonstrating an exceptional degree of effort towards the improvement of themselves and their team.

Most School Spirit Award

Voted on by CofC student-athletes, the Most School Spirit Award was given to Chucktown Sound member Jenna Stern.

Charlie Post Courage Award

The Charlie Post Courage Award was presented to Bryce Butler from men’s basketball in honor of Dr. Charlie Post, a former team physician and avid triathlete, who was paralyzed during a cycling accident and subsequently passed away. The award is presented annually to a student-athlete who has demonstrated courage and perseverance despite facing various challenges and adversity.

Sports Performance Male and Female Athlete of the Year

Matias Gaedechens from men’s tennis and Jazmyn Stone from women’s basketball were awarded the Sports Performance Male and Female Athlete of the Year for their demonstration of intangible qualities that led to success in the weight room, in competition, and in life.

Team Awards

The women’s cross country/track & field program won the 2024 Cougar Cup for the most participation points in NCAA Student-Athlete Development commitment areas. The Chad Effect Community Service Award was presented to the softball program for their outstanding community service.

Academic Achievements

Women’s golf had the highest annual average team GPA, while women’s basketball had the most improved annual average team GPA. Riley Haas from women’s soccer and Maria Zweig from beach volleyball earned the Academic MVP Award for the graduating senior with the highest cumulative GPA.

2024 College of Charleston Athletics Coug Awards Winners

• 2024 COUGAR CUP: Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
• THE CHAD EFFECT COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Softball
• ACADEMICS: Highest Annual Average GPA – Women’s Golf, Most Improved Annual Average GPA – Women’s Basketball
• ACADEMIC MVP AWARD: Senior Highest Cumulative GPA – Riley Haas (women’s soccer) and Maria Zweig (beach volleyball)
• SPORTS PERFORMANCE MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Matias Gaedechens (men’s tennis) and Jazmyn Stone (women’s basketball)
• CHARLIE POST AWARD: Bryce Butler (men’s basketball)
• COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AWARD: Bunny Nazari (women’s soccer)
• MOST SCHOOL SPIRIT AWARD: Jenna Stern (Chucktown Sound)
• MALE AND FEMALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR AWARD: CJ Fulton (men’s basketball) and Taryn Barbot (women’s basketball)
• MALE AND FEMALE STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Ante Brzovic (men’s basketball) and Jenna Annecchiarico (women’s basketball)
• J. STEWART WALKER CUP AWARD: Caroline Berg (equestrian)