Female Athlete of the Year - Caitlin is a stellar athlete, teammate, board member, and classmate. In PCS, she has an incredible presence in and out of the water. Not only is she active in club sports beyond club swim, but she has also excelled in swimming. She was the College Club Swimming Women's 200 Butterfly National Runner-Up in April 2023 and continues to dominate various events at all our meets, both at the national and regional levels. The 200 Butterfly is often considered the most challenging event in competitive swimming, and her accomplishment was at the highest level allowed by College Club Swimming. She has also served as both the alumni/SCC chair and the social chair during the 2023-2024 academic year. In both roles, she has exuded a welcoming presence to all swimmers, regardless of athletic ability. In the classroom, Caitlin is deeply involved in the Chemical and Bioengineering program as well as research. She largely embodies the values of Penn Club Swim, excelling both in and out of the pool and being a friend to all
Male Athlete of the Year - Battling through chronic injuries of shin splints and knee pain, Ren is the quintessential embodiment of grit as he tirelessly works to support his team. His unwavering commitment to self-improvement and team success is evident, and as captain, he leads by example. On the field, Ren seamlessly transitions between positions, alternating between offense and defense to best serve his team's needs. He demonstrates exceptional game IQ and provides crucial strategic insights, while his calm and collected playmaking shines with discipline. Ren's quickness and throwing prowess maximize his impact on the game. Since his rookie season, he has held a spot on the starting lineup, showcasing poised and clutch playmaking to secure close victories. Offensively, Ren's versatility as both a primary cutter and thrower makes him difficult to guard, and his keen field awareness enhances offensive flow. Defensively, his intensity and anticipation disrupt opposing offenses. Ren's willingness to put his body on the line solidifies him as the glue that holds the team together. Off the field, he fosters team camaraderie while pushing his teammates to excel. Ren is known for his motivational speeches, and his enthusiastic support from the sidelines inspires his team. Outside of practice, Ren attends physical therapy and workouts to manage his injuries while balancing rigorous pre-med studies, research projects, and tutoring commitments. He actively promotes the team's presence on campus, recruits players and coaches, organizes scrimmages and tournaments with other schools, and seeks opportunities for collaboration with the women's ultimate team
Rookie of the Year - Catalina Hiller joined the Women's Ice Hockey team this fall with no expectations other than to have fun. She is an incredibly talented athlete and ice hockey player, ranking as the second-highest scorer nationally in the league with over 59 points this season (across 18 games played). Additionally, she holds the top scorer position in our league nationally, with 37 points. Beyond her impressive stats, Catalina has proven to be an invaluable addition to her team. She exemplifies true teamwork, evidenced by her 22 assists this season, and her consistently positive attitude makes her a joy to be around. Remarkably, she manages all of this while juggling the demands of being a full-time nursing student, a testament to her dedication and time management skills. The team considers themselves fortunate to have Catalina as a member of the team and look forward to achieving even more success in the future
Officer of the Year - Emily Zhang serves as the VP of Competition for Penn Figure Skating. A former Team USA figure skater and U.S. National Medalist, she has generously shared her passion for and expertise in the sport with the team over the past two years. Under her leadership, Penn Figure Skating achieved historic best total scores at all three qualifying competitions this year, securing a berth to the 2024 Intercollegiate National Figure Skating Championships – a first in Penn's history. Beyond her administrative duties, Emily acts as the team's coach, dedicating countless hours to training competitors, mastering everyone's programs, and providing unwavering support from the boards during performances. Despite her busy schedule, Emily consistently earns podium placements throughout her intercollegiate skating career and remains one of the team's highest point-earners at every competition. Outside of skating, Emily balances applying to medical school, supporting her family in Philadelphia, and volunteering at various city organizations. Her dedication truly embodies the student-athlete ethos, and Penn Figure Skating's remarkable success this season is a testament to her leadership. Before Emily's involvement, the team had never earned qualifying points for the Intercollegiate National Figure Skating Championships. Over the past two years, her tireless efforts have transformed Penn Figure Skating's competitive team, reshaping the board's perspective on the club's competitive aspect. The team's success in the 2023-24 season owes much to Emily's unwavering commitment
Performance of the Year - The Men's Club Soccer team has demonstrated remarkable dedication and talent, achieving their first undefeated Fall season in the team's history—a streak they've maintained into the Spring. Despite facing tough opponents and often playing two games per week throughout September and October, the team remained undefeated, earning them a spot in Regionals. Building on their success, affectionately known as the Dolphinos, they've continued their impressive performance into the Spring season. At the time of nomination, with just one game remaining, they are on the brink of sweeping their League, maintaining a flawless record in both competition and friendlies, regardless of the opponents or conditions. The team's Fall success has been well-documented on their Instagram account
Emerging Club of the Year - Penn Karate, one of the newest additions to Penn's diverse array of sports clubs, has experienced remarkable growth in its inaugural year. From a modest beginning of just four members in 2022, the club has flourished to include 25 members as of 2024. Its expansion in membership numbers is a testament to the appeal and dedication of its athletes. In addition to its burgeoning membership, Penn Karate has showcased impressive athletic prowess across the board. A highlight of its achievements was participation in a tournament with hundreds of attendees in December 2023. Despite it being the first tournament experience for many members, the club clinched two grand championships (in all-gender forms and all-gender weapons) and secured first-place prizes in Adult Male Sparring, Adult Female Sparring, and Adult Forms. Furthermore, its athletes earned one silver medal and four bronze medals in various intermediate level divisions, a notable accomplishment considering their relatively short time practicing karate. The standout performance at this tournament garnered attention from Tournament Director, Sensei Andrew Spivack, who extended a special invitation for the Penn Karate team to participate in the next tournament. Beyond its achievements on the mat, Penn Karate is deeply engaged with both the Penn and Philadelphia communities. Within the Penn community, the club has actively participated in various events, including SAC Fair, SCC Fair, Penn's Asian Pacific Student Coalition's CelebrASIAN festival, and the United Minority Council's Fair. Additionally, it has been invited to showcase its skills at the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia's Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, further cementing its presence in the wider Philadelphia area
Coach of the Year - Under Isaac’s leadership, the Penn Sailing Team continues to compete and succeed at the highest level of the sport alongside the best varsity teams in the country. This past fall, the Quakers qualified for both Women’s and Open Showcase Finals, and achieved a 6th place finish at the Danmark Trophy, a nationals-equivalent event. The Quakers also secured 2nd and 5th place finishes at the Women’s and Open Mid-Atlantic conference championship, demonstrating the well-rounded strength of the team. This spring, the Women’s team has delivered multiple standout performances, positioning them as strong contenders for the Team Racing national championship. Much of the team's success in team racing can be attributed to the off-season training conducted both on the water in Miami over winter break and in the classroom under Isaac's weekly guidance.
