FREDERICK, Md - Senior student-athletes were honored just before graduation at the annual senior banquet hosted by Hood College Athletics in the Coblentz Dining Hall. We reminisce with the playing of the senior video with interviews of seniors followed by a speech by former men's swimmer Chris Gardner. After a lovely meal, the award show ensued honoring students nominated and voted on by coaches for their all-around efforts.

MEN'S ATHLETICS - MOST OUTSTANDING SENIOR ATHLETE - This award is given to a current a current men's athletics and a current women's athletics student-athlete who has demonstrated exemplary athletic prowess throughout their careers at Hood College.
 
Garrison Linton (New Market, Md./Oakdale) - Men's Basketball - Garrison is arguably the best all-around player in the history of Hood College Men's Basketball, ranking in the top 10 in career scoring, assists, rebounding, and steals. He holds the school's all-time assist record, has set numerous school single-season records, and has the most career triple-doubles in school history. He has ranked in the top 12 nationally for assists the last two seasons, and led the conference by a wide margin. He has played an integral part of our program's ascension into the national conversation, playing in two NCAA Tournaments.

Garrison finished his career as the second all-time winningest player in program history.  Linton was a two-time 1st Team All-MAC Commonwealth Conference selection the last two years, and a 2nd Team All-MAC Commonwealth selection his sophomore season. This past year, he led the conference in assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio, and ranked 5th in steals, 11th in rebounding, and 12th in scoring.
 


WOMEN'S ATHLETICS - MOST OUTSTANDING SENIOR ATHLETE - This award is given to a current a current men's athletics and a current women's athletics student-athlete who has demonstrated exemplary athletic prowess throughout their careers at Hood College.
 
Brenna Ellenberger (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) - Women's Soccer - Despite battling injuries throughout her four years, Brenna Ellenberger (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) is undoubtedly one of our most decorated players from this 2025 class.  -Freshman Year (2021)- Split time with a veteran keeper -Sophomore Year (2022)- Brenna earned MAC All-Conference Second Team. Brenna placed fourth in conference for Goals Against Average (0.925) and was tied for fifth in conference for shutouts per game at .294 (5 shutouts on the season).  -Junior Year (2023)- plagued with injury, only competed in 4 games -Senior Year (2024)- Had a career year- earned MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the United Soccer Coaches Third Team all-region. Her stats for the 2024 season are as follows; NCAA DIII WSOC statistical champion (.942 save percentage)  Helped lead Hood to be the NCAA DIII WSOC statistical champion (.940 save percentage) Helped lead Hood to be the NCAA WSOC leader for most 0-0 draws in a season (across all divisions)  MAC DPOTY x3 for the 2024 season  NCAA DIII WSOC- top 20 for goals against average  NCAA DIII WSOC- tied for second most shutouts with 13 on the season  Beat Hood record for most career shutouts between MSOC and WSOC at 14 (prev. WSOC was 9) Best Goals against average in Hood WSOC history (0.484, prev. was 1.207)  Best save percentage in Hood WSOC History (prev. was 0.841)  Least goals ever conceded during a season in Hood WSOC history (we let up 10, prev. was 24)  Brenna had an incredible season and one of the strongest careers in Hood Women's Soccer history, we only wish she had another healthy year during her time here!
 
 
MEN'S ATHLETICS - DEAN'S AWARD - This award is given to a current men's athletics and a current women's athletics student-athlete who has shown an unparalleled commitment to the student body through involvement in extra-curricular activities and has demonstrated outstanding service to the Hood College athletic department.
 
Salum Matope (Silver Spring, Md./Northwood) - Men's Lacrosse - Salum has been a recognizable and engaged student-athlete at Hood College. Off the field, he pursues a degree in computer science—an evolving and demanding profession. Outside the classroom, he dedicates countless hours to refining his skills in various programming languages, striving to become a well-versed individual in the field.

Much of his progress stems from self-taught lessons through YouTube, which he thoughtfully applies to his academic and professional development. Salum's commitment to growth and service reflects the spirit of the Dean's Award.
 





WOMEN'S ATHLETICS - DEAN'S AWARD - This award is given to a current men's athletics and a current women's athletics student-athlete who has shown an unparalleled commitment to the student body through involvement in extra-curricular activities and has demonstrated outstanding service to the Hood College athletic department.
 
Tam Stanford (Baltimore, Md./Our Lady of Mount Carmel) - Women's Basketball - is indeed a student-athlete. She has put a heavy emphasis on both parts of that term. Her athletic career at Hood has had plenty of ups and downs, mainly due to injuries. Nevertheless, she has shown up and done everything I have asked of her and more. She holds herself to high standards both on and off the court.

Below are Tam's accomplishments and extra-curricular activities. - 2 X Team Captain for Hood College Women's Basketball - President of the MAC Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) - President of Hood College's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) - Vice-President of Social Affairs for Hood College Black Student Union - Multiple Volunteering Efforts: Special Olympics, Pink Ribbon 5K, North Frederick Elementary School, MS Walk,  - Awards: 2x Dean's List, Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall Award  Tam truly represents, Hope, Opportunity, Obligation, and Democracy.
 


MEN'S ATHLETICS - PRESIDENT'S AWARD - This award is given to a current a current men's athletics and a current women's athletics student-athlete who has distinguished him/herself throughout their Hood College careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.
 
Keegan Brennan (Lake Wynonah, Pa./Nativity BVM) - Baseball - 3.83 GPA All-Region Defensive Team / MAC Honorable Mention / Four year member of SAAC - part of fundraising committee / Peer Mentor Leader on Campus / Part of student government finance committee / Worked with after school program at Frederick Boys and Girls Club / Volunteered at Girls on the Run / Volunteered at Walkersville Crab Fest / Volunteered at Oktoberfest Frederick.

Keegan made the most of his four years at Hood making an impact on his team, the college and the surrounding community. This is something every Hood athlete should strive to achieve and Keegan did it to perfection.





WOMEN'S ATHLETICS - PRESIDENT'S AWARD -This award is given to a current a current men's athletics and a current women's athletics student-athlete who has distinguished him/herself throughout their Hood College careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.
 
Rebecca Gottleib (Linthicum, Md./North County) - Softball - Becca is a strong candidate for MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year. MAC awards won't be voted on until Wednesday. An outstanding student, she is an Accounting major with a 3.90 GPA. On the field, she owns most pitching and hitting records, both single season and career. She has season hitting records in on base average, doubles, walks, and hits. She is 1st or 2nd in career records for batting average, on base average, doubles, walks, and hits.  As a pitcher, she is 1st in Strikeouts, Innings pitched, Starts, and Average Against. She is 2nd in career wins and Earned Run Average. She won both games of Sunday's doubleheader which gained us 3rd seed in the MAC Commonwealth playoffs. She has received All MAC honors each year including 1st Team All MAC in 2024. She was also recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as an All Region performer in 2024.
 
For the program, she has season hitting records in on base average, doubles, walks, and hits. She is 1st or 2nd in career records for batting average, on base average, doubles, walks, and hits.  As a pitcher, she is 1st in Ks, Innings pitched, starts, and AVG Against. She is 2nd in career wins and ERA
 

 
MEN'S ATHLETICS - KIM SERVEDIO AWARD -This award is given in honor of a former women's soccer player and honor student, Kim Servedio, who passed away tragically in 1998. The award is given to a current men's athletics and women's athletics student-athlete who best embodies Kimmy's characteristics of sincerity, selflessness and optimism.
 
James Gruenfelder (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Earl L. Vandermulen) - Baseball - James (Groony) has been a four year member of the program and has been a consummate teammate throughout. His dedication to sport, team, and teammates was never more obvious than it was as the baseball program navigated the fall without a coach. Groony's name came up consistently once I stepped on campus as the person who kept things running internally and the one who could be relied on to communicate information to his teammates. Groony consistently stepped up to organize practice, make sure gear was where it needed to be and ensured that teammates were present to work women's hockey games.

Groony also has a passion for Hood athletics. He did his internship with Sports Information working with stats, calling basketball games, and doing whatever else Gelhard could think up for him. Through the trials and tribulations of our season Groony kept the faith, supported his teammates and coaches, and was an unwavering beacon of positivity for those around him. I believe when you think of the type of person you should want in your program and we want as Blazers - Groony is that example.
 


WOMEN'S ATHLETICS - KIM SERVEDIO AWARD - This award is given in honor of a former women's soccer player and honor student, Kim Servedio, who passed away tragically in 1998. The award is given to a current men's athletics and women's athletics student-athlete who best embodies Kimmy's characteristics of sincerity, selflessness and optimism.
 
Olivia Sobchak (Eldersburg, Md./Century) - Field Hockey  - Olivia represents this award very well. Halfway through Olivia's sophomore season, she tore her ACL, which ended her sophomore year. She had to get two surgeries on it because it was not healing properly, which delayed her return to play by a full year. In turn, she missed her full junior season as well. None of this stopped Olivia from fully supporting the field hockey program and leading the team from the sidelines.

She legitimately cheered for every single teammate at all practices and games. To wake up at 4:30am every day for 6am practice (for a year and a half) when you cannot participate is grueling, but Olivia carried herself with grace and served the team so well. The best part about Olivia's story is her determination; she fought hard in PT and was able to come back for her senior season. The day she passed the conditioning test this fall, was the day that brought our entire team together; they were cheering, clapping, and crying because that's how much Olivia means to the field hockey program.