MALIBU, California – For the first time since 2019, Pepperdine's Athletics Department gathered in-person to hold its annual student-athlete awards ceremony on Wednesday night.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 and 2021 events to go virtual over YouTube, but the Waves were back together in Elkins Auditorium for this year's version.
 
Dubbed the "PEPP Espys" and presented by University Credit Union, the event was hosted by men's cross country/track athletes Karl Winter and Jackson Felkins, who put on an extremely entertaining show.
 
Peyton Lewis of beach volleyball and Lindsey Marian of swimming shared the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, while Tim Zeitvogel of tennis was the men's honoree.
 
The Wave of the Year, presented by Pepperdine's Waves Leadership Council, recognizes student-athletes for outstanding contributions in spirit and service to the athletics program and the university community. The honorees were seniors Madison Shields of the women's volleyball beach and indoor teams and Karl Winter of the men's cross country and track teams.
 
The Maurice Hilliard Award, given in honor and memory of Pepperdine's late athletics chaplain, goes to a student-athlete that exemplifies the attributes of Christian faith, character and leadership. The 2022 recipient was Key Pearson of the women's cross country and track teams.
 
Student-athletes, coaches and staff voted on the remainder of the awards, which are all in their eighth year of existence. They cover events held over the last 12 months, dating back to April 2021. Here were those winners:
 
Female Athlete in a Starring Role: Joelle Anderson, women's soccer
Male Athlete in a Starring Role: Daniel De Jonge, men's tennis
Female Athlete in a Supporting Role: Madison Shields, women's indoor volleyball
Male Athlete in a Supporting Role: Spencer Wickens, men's volleyball
Female Breakout Athlete of the Year: Lisa Zaar, women's tennis
Male Breakout Athlete of the Year: Tim Zeitvogel, men's tennis
Female Newcomer of the Year: Grace Chillingworth, women's indoor volleyball
Male Newcomer of the Year: Jaylen Jasper, men's volleybal
Best Moment of the Year: men's golf winning the 2021 NCAA championship
Best Upset of the Year: women's tennis beating undefeated and #1 North Carolina in the semifinals of the 2021 NCAA Tournament