MALIBU, Calif. – The Pepperdine Athletics Department gathered to hold its annual student-athlete awards ceremony on Sunday night.
This year's ceremony took place in the Elkins Auditorium, as more than 300 student-athletes, coaches and staff gathered to celebrate the year.
Dubbed the "PEPP Espys" and presented by University Credit Union, the event was hosted by Pepperdine's public address announcer
Asher Low, who put on an entertaining show. In addition to Low, as well as remarks from the University Credit Union's
Sheena Barlow and Pepperdine University President
Jim Gash, each of the Waves' 17 sports were represented by two-to-three additional presenters throughout the night.
Nikki Redelijk of women's tennis and
Johnathan Flint of men's cross country and track earned the Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards, while the men's tennis and women's swimming and diving programs garnered the academic team excellence awards.
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
Tori Waldeck of women's soccer and
Trey Cole of men's volleyball.
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 2024 recipients were
Ellie Hendren of swimming and diving and Flint.
At the end of the show,
Eden Mittelsdorf of women's cross country and track gave a touching tribute to Pepperdine Director of Athletics Steve Potts, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Student-athletes, coaches and staff voted on the remainder of the awards, most of which are in the 10
th year of existence. They cover events held over the last 12 months, dating back to April 2023. In addition to the awards listed below, many fun superlatives have been added the past two years including best dog, best facial hair, best game face, etc.
Here is the full list of winners:
Female Athlete in a Starring Role:
Savannah Broadus and
Lisa Zaar, women's tennis
Male Athlete in a Starring Role:
Antonio Knez, men's water polo
Female Athlete in a Supporting Role:
Janice Tjen, women's tennis
Male Athlete in a Supporting Role:
Martin de Chavarria, men's volleyball
Best Moment of the Year (Men's Team): men's tennis winning the WCC Championships in 2023
Best Moment of the Year (Women's Team): women's golf reaching the NCAA Championship quarterfinal for the first time in program history in 2023
Female Wave of the Year:
Tori Waldeck, women's soccer
Male Wave of the Year:
Trey Cole, men's volleyball
Female Newcomer of the Year:
Julia Quinonez, women's soccer
Male Newcomer of the Year:
Edward Winter, men's tennis
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year:
Nikki Redelijk, women's tennis
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year:
Johnathan Flint, men's cross country/track
Maurice Hilliard Award:
Ellie Hendren, swimming and diving and
Johnathan Flint, men's cross country/track
Women's Academic Team Excellence Award: women's swimming and diving
Men's Academic Team Excellence Award: men's tennis
Team Spirit Award: women's soccer
