Athletics Celebrates Year at Yellow Jacket Celebration

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech athletics recognized the achievements of its student-athletes over the past year during its annual Yellow Jacket Celebration on Monday evening at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center.

Julia Bergmann and Caio Pumputis headlined the honorees, earning GTAA Athletes of the Year for their outstanding successes during the 2021-22 campaigns.

Putting together one of the most decorated volleyball seasons in program history, Bergmann garnered a bevy of awards and honors. Helping Georgia Tech to only its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, Bergmann was named an AVCA First Team All-American and AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year. In addition to being named an all-ACC first team selection for the third straight season, the senior was tabbed the ACC Player of the Year. She was a four-time ACC Player of the Week during the season and finished top 15 in the NCAA in kills and points on the year. Bergmann also eclipsed the 1,000 career kills mark this season and moved into a tie for ninth in program history in career aces with 130.

A fifth-year breaststroke and IM swimmer, Pumputis earned All-American honors in each individual event he competed in at the NCAA Championships, collecting three accolades. He earned a first team All-American honor after finishing in fifth-place in the 200 breast, while also picking up the recognition in the 100 breast and 200 IM. Pumputis also earned a bronze medal in the 200 breast at the ACC Championships to award him an all-ACC honor. Through his illustrious career, Pumputis has earned 11 All-American honors and nine all-ACC honors, the most by any Tech swimmer.

The full list of awards handed out at the Yellow Jacket Celebration include:

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Volleyball’s Bianca Bertoino (helped volleyball to a NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance, was tabbed to the ACC All-Freshman Team, received five ACC Freshman of the Week honors, All-ACC Academic Team)
Baseball’s Kevin Parada (during his 2021 freshman season, he was named a consensus freshman All-American, second-team all-southeast region, third-team all-ACC, freshman all-ACC honors, All-ACC Academic Team)

BRANDON ADAMS TEAMMATE AWARDS
The Brandon Adams Teammate Awards recognize student-athletes whose contributions to his or her program go far beyond the scope of athletics.

Baseball – Joseph Mannelly
Men’s Basketball – Jordan Meka
Women’s Basketball – Anisa Clark
Men’s Cross Country – Henrik Anderson
Women’s Cross Country – Liz Galarza
Football – Charlie Thomas
Golf – Andy Mao
Softball – Abby Hughes
Men’s Swimming and Diving – Wiggo Frohde
Women’s Swimming and Diving – Sophie Murphy
Men’s Tennis – Marcus McDaniel
Women’s Tennis – Carol Lee
Men’s Track and Field – Jamie Miller
Women’s Track and Field – Lydia Troupe
Volleyball – Elizabeth Patterson
Cheer – Dmitri Palmer
Goldrush – Isabelle Williams

ACC TOP 6 FOR SERVICE
The ACC Top 6 for Service awards are presented annually to six student-athletes from each ACC institution who demonstrate dedication to community service and outreach programs.
Georgia Tech recipients: Abby Cohen (swimming and diving); Mikaila Dowd (volleyball); Emma Kauf (softball); Ben King (baseball); Dylan Leonard (football); Liz Rice (women’s cross country/track and field)

ACC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
The ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award was established in September 2007 to be awarded annually to the top student-athlete in their respective sports. Candidates for the award must have maintained a 3.0 GPA for their career as well as a 3.0 for each of the last two semesters.
Georgia Tech recipients: Kevin Parada (baseball) and Lotta-Maj Lahtinen (women’s basketball)

THOMAS LOZANO INSPIRATION AWARD
In its fourth year, the Thomas Lozano Inspiration Award is given in honor of Thomas Lozano, who was an inspiration to all Georgia Tech student-athletes through his passion, loyalty, support and work ethic. The award is given to one student-athlete who exemplifies the qualities best displayed by Thomas.
Recipient: Chandler Dennis (softball)

BOBBY DODD SCHOLARSHIP
The Bobby Dodd Scholarship is given to one male and one female returning student-athlete with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Each recipient must have lettered in his or her sport at least one year and they must both exemplify good citizenship and participation in community service, outstanding sportsmanship and dedication.
Recipients: Emma Kauf (softball) and Tres Gonzalez (baseball)

GT UNITE AWARD
Designed to honor a student-athlete that has made an impact in the DEI space, whether in the department, on campus or at the ACC level.
Recipient: Mikaila Dowd (volleyball)

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Given to applaud the athletic accolades of some of the nation’s best student-athletes.
Recipients: Julia Bergmann (volleyball) and Caio Pumputis (men’s swimming)

TOTAL PERSON AWARD
Given to one male and one female student-athlete who are graduating or within 20 hours of graduating. Recipients have to be in good academic standing; lettered at least two years; achieved ACC, regional or national recognition or awards; made significant contributions to his or her team; and possess the attributes of the Total Person (career ambitions, family relations, health consciousness, self-motivation and community involvement).
Recipients: Nicole Fegans (women’s cross country/track and field) and Christian Ferraro (men’s swimming)