Thunderbirds shine at the 3rd Annual Thunderbird Awards

Monday May 5,  2025 - 2:00 p.m. | Dylan DeVlieger

Mesa Athletics celebrated its outstanding student-athletes last Monday at the 3rd Annual Thunderbird Awards, a night dedicated to recognizing excellence, dedication, and the spirit of T-Bird athletics.

The annual Awards Banquet, created and presented by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.), is a celebration of the achievements of our T-Bird athletes, coaches, and teams. This year's event marked a milestone, with the largest turnout in the banquet's history—over 160 student-athletes, coaches, staff, and parents gathered to honor the incredible accomplishments of the 2024-25 season. 

All coaches spoke on their respective seasons and presented a Champion of Character award to one of their student athletes who exemplified extraordinary service in the athletic community while modeling basic traits of good character. 

Following the Champions of Character awards the student athletes who won a nominated award were honored. These awards ranged from the Comeback Athlete of the Year to the Scholar Athlete of the Year.

This banquet would not have been possible without the help of S.A.A.C, Volleyball/Beach Volleyball head coach Jordan Herrington, Lora Lassitter, and Dylan DeVlieger. 

Check out the photo gallery by clicking here. 

Photo Credit: Branden Davis

Champion of Character:

Baseball - Jayce Vaughan

Men's Basketball - Shakir Galab & Opulley Taban

Men's Cross Country - Nick Valle

Men's Golf - Nick Morrow

Men's Soccer - Zachary Lanman

Men's Tennis - Carson Abril

Men's Track & Field - Austin John

Women's Basketball - Avery Graber

Indoor/Beach Volleyball - Kylee Pew & Brynlee Barris

Women's Cross Country - Regina Raimo

Women's Golf - Mackenzie Vongphosy & Addison King

Women's Soccer - Brylee Allen

Softball - Seve Del Toro 

Women's Tennis - Mikaela Correa 

Women's Track & Field - Sara Jacobson

Nomination Awards:

Selfless Player of the Year - Kylee Pew (Volleyball)

Comeback Thunderbird - Regina Raimo (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field)

Female Scholar of the Year - Lynn Angulo (Women's Tennis)

Male Scholar of the Year - Nicolas Romero (Men's Tennis)

Female Team of the Year - Cross Country

Male Team of the Year - Track & Field

Newcomer of the Year - Brianna Anderson (Volleyball)

Sophomore Athlete of the Year - Carmella Baldwin (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field)

Female Athlete of the Year - Isa Folau (Volleyball)

Male Athlete of the Year - Talbot Cummard (Basketball)

Female Sport Coach of the Year - Dan Pescador (Cross Country/Track & Field)

Male Sport Coach of the Year - Tony Cirelli (Baseball)

Support Staff of the Year - Rich Wenner (Strength & Conditioning) 

Mrs. Thunderbird - Brynlee Barris (Volleyball)

Mr. Thunderbird - Shakir Galab (Basketball)