King University honored its top student-athletes, coaches, and staff at its annual Twisty Awards celebration, recognizing a year defined by resilience, achievement, and championship-level performances across all programs.
Starting the night were standout first-year performers, as Carlos Arias from Swimming was named Male Rookie of the Year and Aliyah Hawkins from Basketball earned Female Rookie of the Year honors. Both athletes made immediate impacts in their respective sports, setting the tone for bright futures in Tornado athletics.
Dominance on the mat took center stage, with both the Male Team of the Year and Female Team of the Year awards going to Wrestling, highlighting a historic season for both programs. The Co-Ed Team of the Year was awarded to Esports, continuing its rise as a powerhouse within the country.
Behind the scenes, excellence was equally recognized. Mikayla Spriggs was named Support Staff of the Year, while Lucy Holbrough earned Student Support Staff of the Year for their dedication and service to all of King Athletics. Faculty Associate of the Year honors went to Dr. Laura Ong, whose commitment to student-athlete success extends beyond the classroom.
On the sidelines, Juan Somoza was named Coach of the Year after guiding his program to an historical season with 21 school records broken for both the Men's and Women's Swimming teams.
Character and impact were also celebrated. Gilberto Balbuena received the Spirit Award for embodying the heart and energy of King athletics, while Macey Snapp earned the Community Service Award for her meaningful contributions off the court.
Stories of perseverance defined the Comeback Athlete of the Year awards, with Rohde Kirkland from Baseball and Cassie Lowe from Swimming recognized for their inspiring returns to competition.
Game of the Year and Play of the Year, celebrating the unforgettable moments that defined the season, both went to Men's Basketball, with voting held during the event.
Academic achievement remained a cornerstone of the department's mission, with Vanessa Neubauer and Javier Saldivar earning SAAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors for their outstanding work in the classroom and competition, as selected by their fellow student-athletes.
The night's highest individual honors went to two elite performers. Riley Nelson from Volleyball was named the Susie Toomey Female Athlete of the Year. At the same time, Clint Morrisette from Wrestling earned the prestigious Al Nida Male Athlete of the Year, capping off remarkable seasons of excellence.
From championship performances to community impact, the evening showcased the very best of King University Athletics—where excellence is pursued in competition, in the classroom, and in the community.
