University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Eight Female Student-Athletes Nominated for The Janice Brumit Rising Star Award
04.05.2022 | Track and Field, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Athletics News
Story written by Courtney O’Malley
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The Janice Brumit Rising Star award is presented annually to a female student-athlete to honor and recognize her excellence in leadership, within her sport as well as within the UNC Asheville community. Each of our eight women's athletic teams has nominated one student-athlete, with the winner being announced at the Our Turn To Play Scholarship Dinner on Tuesday, April 26th at 6:00 p.m.
Janice and her husband Joe, have been longtime supporters of UNC Asheville Athletics and its student-athletes.
Â
The eight student-athletes listed below were nominated by their head coach for going above and beyond in everything they do, including athletics, academics, and citizenship. Each of these young women exhibits specific talents, leadership, diligence, and commitment that will serve them long after they leave this university.
Â
To see these athletes recognized in person at the Our Turn To Play event, visit the Our Turn To Play site or contact Betsy Blose at bblose@unca.edu to secure your tickets! Only 50 tickets remain before the event is sold out! If you cannot attend, but wish to donate or sponsor a table, visit the same link.
Lize Morkel - Tennis - Senior - Math Major
"Lize's results, both on the court and in the classroom, speak for themselves. Her intelligence, work ethic, and character are at an extremely high level and she is honest, trustworthy, kind, genuine, and reliable. I am proud to have her be a part of the program." – Head Coach Lise Gregory
Claudia Prieto Alcaide - Track and Field - Senior - Health and Wellness Major
"Claudia is a model student-athlete excelling in our demanding Biology program. She is extremely detailed in her academic and athletic preparations. She's been a track and field SAAC representative for a number of years as well as a campus health ambassador. I feel sure we will see her studying in a PhD biology program next year." – Head Coach Joel Williams
Madeline Nichols - Cross Country - Senior - Accounting Major
"Madeline Nichols has been an integral part of our cross country program over the past 4 years. Madeline has been a member of SAAC and UNC Asheville's Covid Task Force. Amongst all of this, Madeline gave birth to her son Miles in July of her senior year. During Madeline's Junior cross country season, she competed four months pregnant to help our team place 3rd at the Big South Conference Championships. In her senior season, 4 months post-partum, Madeline helped our team to a 4th place finish at the Big South Conference Championships. While many people may have rightfully decided that they didn't have the time or energy to compete, Madeline persevered. Perseverance is a characteristic needed for every leader and rising star." – Head Coach Adam Puett
Hailey Pendleton – Golf - Junior - Health and Wellness Major
"Hailey is everything you would want in a bulldog. Excellent student, outstanding character, supportive teammate, a leader by example, a great athlete and so much more. She continues to represent not only herself and the women's golf program but UNC Asheville athletics and the University as a whole in a way we can all be proud of." – Head Coach Ericka Schneider
Ona Elkins – Volleyball - Junior - Political Science Major
"Ona is an incredible student-athlete! She is a great setter with a strong work ethic and a leader on the court with a very high IQ for the game. Ona is also an excellent student. Her high GPA is indicative of her ability to balance the demands of both the sport and the classroom." – Head Coach Frederico Santos
Grace Sloan – Soccer - Senior - Chemistry Major
"Grace Sloan is a perfect representation of the Rising Star Award. Not only was she successful on the soccer field as a captain of the Women's Soccer team, but she was also very successful in the classroom leading her to be accepted into several major medical schools. Grace will be successful wherever she ends up in life and we are beyond proud of her." – Head Coach Andy McNab
Delaney Carlton - Swimming and Diving - Junior - Physics Major
"Delaney carries herself with the utmost integrity, has won the Conference Swimmer of the Week 3 times in 2 years, and has been named the Bulldog Student-Athlete of the month twice this year.Â
She is studying to be a high school Physics teacher, and is a leader by example on our team, both in the pool and the locker room." – Head Coach Elizabeth Lykins
Nadiria Evans - Basketball - Senior - Mass Communications and Business Double Major
"Nadiria has been a tremendous player for our program over the past 5 years. She has worked tirelessly to now be one of the best to ever play here, with her name splashed all over the record books. She has also grown so much as a person in her time as a student, as a teammate, and especially as a leader. There's no doubt what she poured into UNC Asheville has Nadiria ready for her next steps in life." – Head Coach Honey Brown
