SAN DIEGO - With the closure of campus due to COVID-19, the fourth annual Sea Lions Athletic Merit Awards (SLAM) moved to a digital presentation this year. Over the course of four days (Apr. 27-30), PLNU Athletics revealed its 20 winners for its 2020 SLAM Awards.
 
The SLAM Awards were created as a celebration of academic, athletic and community excellence achieved throughout the academic year by our student-athletes, and is slated to be an annual event to close out the school year. PLNU student Trenton Hernandez served as the emcee and local PA announcer Callan McClurg lent his voice for all the readers.
 
Below is a list of all awards and winners. Click here to access all the videos from the 2020 SLAM Awards.
 
Leadership Award - Travis Takata

This award is dedicated to the individual who distinguished him/herself as a team leader and is respected by their peers
Travis is one of the strongest leaders to ever come through the PLNU Baseball program. He is as reliable and energetic as they come and leads by example every day both on and off the field. Travis also led off the field by communicating and reinforcing team goals and expectations, but more importantly through his faith. He organized and led small bible study groups and completely orchestrated the baseball team's off-campus outreach projects. Other nominees: Avery Avina, Taylor McGowan, Sydney Peterson, Sterling Somers, Sarah Steinhaus
 
Team Academic Success - Women's Golf

This award is dedicated to the team that distinguished itself above the curve in the classroom
The Women's Golf team managed to earn the highest grade point average across all 11 Sea Lion teams. These women not only applied themselves in their sport but use their discipline and commitment in academics too. With every eligible member of the team earning PacWest All-Academic honors and a grade point average of 3.7, they are leading the way for PLNU Athletics in 2019-20. Other nominees: All teams
 
Team Service Award - Volleyball

This award is dedicated to the team with the greatest engagement in community service, ministry or missions.
For the third straight year, the volleyball team took home the Team Service Award honor. Apart from just their commitment on the court, these women have made a commitment to their community. The volleyball team has consistently volunteered over the last three years at the Bread of Life ministry in Ocean Beach and organized other volunteer opportunities for other PLNU teams to attend as well. The team even expanded its efforts internationally this year as they made regular trips to help at an orphanage in Mexico. Other nominees: All teams 
 
Best Dressed (Female) - Angelique Friedrich

This award is dedicated to the female whose sense of style distinguishes them among their peers
Other nominees: Becca Bullen, Courtney Dyer, Makenna Herrero, Summer Marshall, Kenna True
 
Best Dressed (Male) - Jan Plueer

This award is dedicated to the male whose sense of style distinguishes them among their peers
Other nominees: Trey Anderson, Jorge Navarro, Stirling Strong 
 
Comeback Player of the Year - Otto Kemp

This award is dedicated to the individual who sustained a major injury or illness and positively impacted his or her team's success
After impressing everyone at the start of the 2019 season by hitting .340 with three home runs and 10 RBI and playing even better defense in the first 13 games, a blood clot forced Otto Kemp to miss the rest of his true freshman season. However, he had a rib removed and back on the field to start the 2020 campaign. He was hitting .327 and led the team with three home runs and 30 total bases when the season ended. Other nominees: Makenna Herrero, Rachel Carrell
 
Team Performance of the Year - Women's Soccer vs. UC San Diego in NCAA West Regional (11/23/19)

This award is dedicated to the best team performance in a single contest
On November 23, 2019, the Point Loma women's soccer team sent shockwaves through the college soccer world when they defeated UC San Diego, the West Region's No. 1 seed on their home field 1-0. The Tritons were ranked No. 14 in the country and had not lost at home since September of 2016. Chase Bibbey scored her first career goal in the 29th minute and then the Sea Lions' defense and goalie Emma Hinson stepped up with the program's first shutout in an NCAA Regional to earn the 1-0 victory. This ended UCSD's time in Division II and gave PLNU its 30th victory in the past two seasons. Other nominees: Women's Volleyball defeats #15 Azusa Pacific at Dig Pink (10/18/19), Women's Basketball's win at #17 Azusa Pacific (12/5/19), Baseball's win at Cal Poly Pomona (2/26/20), Men's Basketball wins PacWest Championship in overtime (3/7/20)
 
Fan of the Year - Kylie Asam

This award is dedicated to the individual who best exhibited the Sea Lion spirit by his/her support through cheering on PLNU at athletic contests
Other nominees: Alex Davidson, Emme Fridge, Lucas Jacobson, Jai'lynn Parham, Seth Wilkie
 
Best Sense of Humor (Female) - Teresa Roessler

This award is dedicated to the female with the most fabulous sense of humor
Other nominees: Jordan Clay, Tate Duane, Ellie Gamble, Tabetha Kang, Cailey Olono
 
Best Sense of Humor (Male) - Bryson Becker

This award is dedicated to the male with the most fabulous sense of humor
Other nominees: Jake Eisenberg, Jasdeep Paintal, Jerry Quemada
 
Female Freshman of the Year - Angelique Friedrich

This award is dedicated to the best overall performance throughout the season by a female freshman
Playing all year at the No. 1 or 2 singles positions, Friedrich rattled off an 8-2 record, including winning her final five matches. She won both her matches against Division I opponents and she capped off her freshman campaign with a win over the 10th ranked player in the region. In doubles, she and partner Samantha Neilson posted a 5-2 record with wins over Cal Poly and Villanova. Other nominees: Kylie Hearn, Grace Hicks, Tabetha Kang, Sophia Smith 
 
Male Freshman of the Year - Tyler Davis

This award is dedicated to the best overall performance throughout the season by a male freshman
Tyler Davis made an immediate impact on the men's tennis team as he stepped into the No. 2 position in singles and teamed up with Yuki Okamoto at No. 1 doubles. Davis posted a 5-2 record in singles, including a win over the region's 13th ranked player in the last match of the year. Davis would match that record in doubles play and even take down UC San Diego's top pair which was ranked No. 15 in the country. Other nominees: Scott Anderson, Alfred Hjaelmhammar, Otto Kemp
 
Heart of a Sea Lion - Sydney Peterson

This award is dedicated to the individual who consistently displayed a positive outlook and unbridled support of his/her teammates
Despite having a season-ending injury in January, Sydney never let negative emotions interfere with being a great teammate. She showed incredible leadership and support by constantly communicating during practice and games. She became a great mentor and teacher to the underclassman. In a time when Sydney could have felt sorry for herself, she put the team first. Her encouragement and positivity was felt by all teammates and coaches. Sydney's positive attitude and support extended far beyond women's basketball. She could always be spotted in the stands at other teams games and matches, before and after their practices, and around campus vocally and visibly encouraging them as well. Other nominees: Scott Anderson, Rachel Fong, Samantha Neilson, Mark Penner
 
Female Athlete Performance of the Year - Madie Fox vs. #15 Azusa Pacific (10/18/19)

This award is dedicated to the best overall performance in a single contest by a female student-athlete
Madie Fox put together an incredible performance to lead the PLNU Volleyball team to a three-set sweep of No. 15 Azusa Pacific during the Sea Lions' Dig Pink game. The junior middle blocker posted 16 kills and just three errors over the three sets to record a .500 hitting percentage against one of the best defensive teams in the PacWest. She added 1.5 blocks and an assist to help lead PLNU to its biggest win of the season. Other nominees: Emma Hinson (at Western Washington, 12/5/19), Cara Liggins (vs. Biola, 3/5/20), Zita Molnar (at Triton Classic, 10/12/19), Rahel Rudel (at Mangrum Invite, 2/8/20) 
 
Male Athlete Performance of the Year - Brock Mackenzie vs. Biola (3/7/20)

This award is dedicated to the best overall performance in a single contest by a male student-athlete
On one of the biggest stages of his career, Brock Mackenzie stepped up with a career-high 34 points to help Point Loma defeat Biola in overtime of the PacWest Tournament Championship game, and become the first team to ever capture back-to-back PacWest Tournament titles. Mackenzie opened the game with 11 points in the first half and 12 in the second, but it was his performance in overtime that earned him the 2019-20 Male Performance of the Year. Mackenzie already had eight points in the overtime and with the game tied with less than 10 seconds on the clock, coach Matt Logie knew who's number to call, and  Brock delivered the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired. Other nominees: David Achaerandio (vs. Chaminade, 10/28/19), Justin Ledgerwood (vs. Holy Names, 3/7/20), Stirling Strong (vs. MSU Billings, 1/31/20) 
 
Coach of the Year - Jerry Arvin

This award is dedicated to the coach that demonstrated the greatest impact and success with his or her team, both within and outside of the athletic arena
The Track & Field season may have been cut short for the Sea Lions and coach Jerry Arvin, but the sacrifices he made for the program and the student-athletes can not be understated. Coach Arvin has humbly put others before himself to make both the cross country and the track & field teams better every day. He helped coach Zita Molnar to the individual championship at the Triton Classic, marking the first time a Sea Lion had won a race of that magnitude since 2010. She would go on to win four PacWest Runner of the Week honors. Between the cross country and the track & field season his beloved wife Janice was hospitalized and sadly passed away. Coach Arvin would return to the team and coach in two track & field meets and begin preparations for the Sea Lions' two home meets before the season unfortunately ended abruptly. Other nominees: All coaches
 
Female Athlete of the Year - Julia Glaser

This award is dedicated to the best overall performance for a season by a female student-athlete
There was not a more effective and efficient goal-scorer in the NCAA era for Point Loma women's soccer than Julia Glaser. The forward ranked second in the PacWest with 13 goals while helping the Sea Lions score their most goals since 2011. She posted goals in eight straight games and would lead PLNU to its second straight PacWest Championship and the finals of the NCAA West Regional. During her two seasons as Point Loma, the Sea Lions never lost a conference game and she had 13 game-winning goals. Glaser capped off this season by being voted to both all-region teams and being named a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American. Other nominees: Cara Keturakis, Alli Kim, Cara Liggins, Zita Molnar
 
Male Athlete of the Year - David Achaerandio

This award is dedicated to the best overall performance for a season by a male student-athlete
Although he was just with the men's soccer team for one season, David Achaerandio established himself as one of the best student-athletes to ever wear the Green & Gold for Point Loma. Achaerandio scored 15 goals and dished out six assists in just 18 games. He had multiple goals in four matches, including a hat-trick in just the first half against Chaminade. Achaerandio would go on to be named the PacWest Conference Newcomer of the Year and first-team on both of the All-West Region squads. David would cap off his season by becoming the first field player for the Sea Lions to ever be named an NCAA All-American. Other nominees: Kaden Anderson, Zack Noll, Yuki Okamoto, Sterling Somers
 
Sea Lion of the Year - Sterling Somers

This award is dedicated to the all-around individual who displayed the highest level of academic success, athletic performance, spiritual leadership, and community service
Sterling Somers epitomizes the word student-athlete and will leave a legacy of leadership, selflessness, and success that is second to none in the NCAA Division II era at PLNU. Somers earned All-PacWest honors all four seasons, and as a senior, he ranked second in the PacWest with a .589 field goal percentage, while averaging 13.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game en route to earning third-team all-conference honors. Last year he selflessly came off the bench as the team's sixth starter and helped the Sea Lions make a run to the NCAA Championship game. He completed his career with a .720 winning percentage and helping PLNU become the first-ever team to win back-to-back PacWest Tournament Titles. Other nominees: Julia Glaser, Cara Keturakis, Christine Perez, Abbi Swanson, Travis Takata
 
Team of the Year - Women's Soccer

This award is dedicated to the team that achieved the highest level of athletic success in its season
The PLNU women's soccer team put together a legendary season in 2019. They went unbeaten in 11 PacWest matches for the second straight season to capture the program's fourth PacWest Championship in the past six years. The Sea Lions then moved onto the NCAA West Regional where they came from behind to defeat Cal Poly Pomona, before earning an upset over the region's Number 1 seed, UC San Diego to move to the first NCAA West Regional Championship in program history. In addition to the team success on the field, Point Loma placed 10 student-athletes on the All-PacWest team, Julia Glaser, Abbi Swanson, and Lauren O'Malley each won All-Region honors, Makenna Herrero was named PacWest Newcomer of the Year and the team finished the season ranked No. 11 in the final national poll. Other nominees: All teams