GGC PHOTO GALLERY

George Mason Athletics annual banquet was held Tuesday evening at EagleBank Arena and recognized academic, athletic, and civic achievements of its student-athletes. 
 
The Green and Gold Celebration brought together student-athletes and coaches from Mason's 22 intercollegiate sports along with department staff and Mason supporters.
 
Awards bestowed Tuesday night included the Aimee Willard Award, Susan Collins Leadership Award, President's Cup, Patriot Cup, Dr. Pettrone Student-Athlete of the Year and a series of new awards, which honor athletic excellence in a variety of categories. The 89 seniors received their George Mason Award, a hand-sculpted artwork of George Mason designed as a permanent remembrance of both the institution and the student-athlete's legacy.
 
The prestigious Aimee Willard Commemorative Award was established in 1997 to remember former Mason soccer and lacrosse athlete Aimee Willard, who was tragically murdered in 1996. The award assures that Aimee's legacy and contributions live on through another Mason student-athlete who mirror the standards of quality set by Aimee in her two-sport career: intensity, consistency of purpose, achievement and teamwork. 
 
This year's recipient Catie Espinoza (women's volleyball) was presented the award by Asst. VP/Director of Athletics Brad Edwards. Four other student-athletes were nominated by their head coaches for the award, including Jacy Bolton (women's basketball), Emily Littell (women's soccer), Ryan Mingachos (men's soccer) and Matthew Voss (wrestling). 
 
Faculty athletics representative Dr. Dominique Banville then presented the Susan Collins Leadership Award for Women in Sport to junior volleyball athlete Bailey Williams. 

The award recognizes the student-athlete who best exemplifies the leadership qualities set by former George Mason Senior Associate Athletic Director Sue Collins, who dedicated more than 40 years in NCAA Division I athletics and 34 years with the Patriots. Her leadership, integrity, innovation, mentoring, and service to the NCAA, George Mason and the local community has created a legacy that will keep Mason athletics a leader in college sports for years to come.
 
Williams has served as an active member of SAAC for the past two years, quickly rising to a leadership position as vice president. In her role, she has proved instrumental in student-athlete engagement and activity at Mason. For her numerous efforts and accomplishments, Bailey has been selected to attend the Winning Edge Leadership Academy next month.
 
A pair of track and field student-athletes, Rico Gomez and Sarah Moore, were named male and female Dr. Pettrone Student-Athletes of the Year. Their respective Mason teams won the Team of the Year Awards after winning three out of the four Atlantic 10 Track and Field Championships this season. The women finished second at the A-10 Indoor Championship earlier this season before claiming top honors with the men at the A-10 Outdoor Championship this past weekend.
 
Gomez has continued to etch his name into the Mason record books this season. At the A-10 Outdoor Championships, Gomez won the 400m title and was a part of two gold-medal winning relay teams. For his efforts he was name the A-10 Most Outstanding Track Performer. A two-time gold medalist at the A-10 Indoor Championship, Gomez won the 200m dash and the 500m dash, earning him a clean sweep of the A-10 Most Outstanding Track Performer award for both seasons. Dating back to last spring, Gomez earned a berth in the NCAA East Regional in both the 400m dash and as part of the 4x400m relay team.
 
Moore has represented Mason with aplomb on the grandest stages of her sport. A 2018 All-American in the 400m dash, Moore raced live on ESPN as part of the NCAA Championship in Eugene. She has anchored the A-10-record holding 4x400m relays, both indoors and outdoors. A 2018 United States Track & Field national qualifier, her 400m time ranks second all-time at Mason, and her 400m indoor time in 2019 was ranked 37^thnationally in the NCAA. She won three gold medals at the 2019 A-10 Outdoor Championships and will look to qualify for NCAA competition later this month. 
 
The final award of the night honored the entire athletic department. In its sixth year, the Revolutionary Rivalry is a year-long series between George Washington and George Mason athletics. This year the Patriots won the Tri-Corner Hat Trophy, 16.5-6.5.
 
GREEN & GOLD CELEBRATION AWARD WINNERS
 
Aimee Willard Commemorative Award 
Catie Espinoza (W. Volleyball)

Susan Collins Leadership Award
Bailey Williams (W. Volleyball)
 
President's Cup
The award is presented to the Mason team that has earned the highest cumulative team GPA by the end of the Fall academic term.  
Women's Team: Women's Lacrosse
Men's Team: Men's Cross Country
 
Patriot's Cup
The Patriot Cup is awarded to the team that has accumulated the most points combined across the four identified categories:  Team Support; Community Service; Personal Development; and Academics. 
Winning Team: Women's Lacrosse
 
Community Service Award
Community Service award is awarded to the Men's and Women's team that has completed the most community service hours throughout the current academic year.
Winning Men's Team:  Men's Track and Field
Winning Women's Team:  Rowing
 
Iron Patriot Award
The Iron Patriot Award is presented to the senior student-athlete who through their dedication, commitment and sacrifice in the weight room has been a positive influence in their role as a teammate and on their competitive performance. Student-Athletes are selected for the award by members of the strength and conditioning team at Mason.
Female Iron Patriot: Emily Littell (W. Soccer)
Male Iron Patriot: Brady Acker (Baseball)
 
Female Dr. Pettrone Student-Athlete of the Year:  Sarah Moore (Women's Track & Field)
Male Dr. Pettrone Student-Athlete of the Year: Rico Gomez (Men's Track & Field)
 
Female Sportsmanship: Marium Raza (Women's Tennis)
Male Sportsmanship: Matthew Voss (Wrestling)
 
Female Most Improved: Alyssa Lawton (Softball)
+Atlantic 10 Second Team All Conference
+Led team in Batting Average (.346), increasing average by nearly 100 points
 
Male Most Improved: Justin Kier (Men's Basketball)
+Atlantic 10 Most Improved Player Award
 
Female Rookie of the Year: Emma van der Vorst (Women's Soccer)
+Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year
+Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year
 
Male Rookie of the Year: Cason Gardner (Men's Track & Field)
+Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Meet for the Indoor Championship
+Atlantic 10 All Rookie 
 
Women's Team of The Year: Women's Track & Field 
+Atlantic 10 Outdoor Track & Field Champions
 
Men's Team of The Year: Men's Track & Field
+Atlantic 10 Outdoor Track & Field Champions
+Atlantic 10 Indoor Track & Field Champions