MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo Athletic Department held its ninth annual end-of-the-year awards ceremony, "The Freddies", Thursday, April 16.
 
This year the athletic department handed out 29 awards that honored both academic and athletic success.
 
2026 Freddies Award Winners
 
Neal Shirley Award (Male Athlete of the Year)

Derek Moore                Men's Basketball
 
Margaret Blalock Award (Female Athlete of the Year)

Taylor Lloyd                 Softball
 
Male Newcomer of the Year

Jack Fitzgerald            Baseball (Transfer)
Chris Johnson              Men's Track and Field (Transfer)
Bryant James               Men's Basketball (Freshman)
 
Female Newcomer of the Year

Lara Brewis                 Women's Soccer (Transfer)
Ayla Ertekin                 Women's Soccer (Freshman)
 
Male Performance of the Year

Derek Moore                Men's Basketball
Scored 51 points on the road against West Florida to set UM single-game record
 
Female Performance of the Year

 Keara McGee             Women's Swimming
Won four titles at the Conference Carolinas Championships in the 100-yard fly, 200-yard fly, 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard medley relay

Play of the Year


Lexie Cole, Rilyn McAllister, Alesandra Vega               Acrobatics and Tumbling
Scored the first perfect score in program history

Game/Match of the Year

Men's Swimming          First Conference Championship in program history
 
Male Iron Falcon

Brandon Shaffner         Men's Lacrosse
 
Female Iron Falcon

Makayla Peters            Softball
 
Male DeWayne Peevy Spirit Award

Ben Johnson                Men's Swimming
Savian Graham            Wrestling
 
Female DeWayne Peevy Spirit Award

Payton Roach              Acrobatics and Tumbling
Riley Daniel                 Softball
 
Male Sportsmanship Award

Tyson Sexton               Men's Basketball
Seth Acton                   Men's Soccer
 
Female Sportsmanship Award

Claire Withington         Women's Lacrosse
Kylee Norman              Women's Basketball
 
Comeback Player of the Year

Will Mashburn              Men's Soccer
Christian Kallaher        Baseball
 
SAAC Most Influential

Tyson Sexton               Men's Basketball
Isabel Dillehay             Women's Soccer
 
Walter Bennet Award (Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year)

Alex Egorshin              Men's Lacrosse
Brandon Shaffner         Men's Lacrosse
Zac Lamb                    Men's Cross Country
Benjamin Lebdaoui      Men's Soccer
 
Jan Eagles Award (Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year)

Leah Dendy                 Women's Track and Field
Latizia Bojara               Women's Tennis
Madysen Legere          Women's Soccer
Claire Withington         Women's Lacrosse

 Above and Beyond Award

Savian Graham            Wrestling
Claire Jaramba            Women's Tennis
 
Heart of Service Award (Community Service)
 
Sarah Turner                Women's Cross Country/Track and Field
 
Rise Above Award
 
Dominic Kienzle           Men's Soccer
Maggie McColley         Volleyball
 
Sea of Purple Team Award
 
Women's Basketball