CALIFORNIA (July 11) – The California (PA) athletic department announced several yearly honors this week on social media. The yearly awards were initially presented during the 2016-17 academic year and are presented following the conclusion of the athletic season and majority of the award season for a seventh-straight year.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Gabby Miller (Swimming)
Miller became the school's first representative at the NCAA Championships in nearly a decade when she competed in both the 50 and 100 freestyle. She registered three podium finishes at the PSAC Championships and became the first swimmer to earn All-PSAC honors since 2017. She accounted for 74 points as an individual, highlighted by the second-fastest time in school history in the 50 freestyle, and was a member of four relay teams at the league meet.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Jaheim Bassham (Football)
Bassham received All-America recognition from five different organizations. He was voted a national finalist for the Gene Upshaw Lineman of the Year award, the program's first finalist in 15 years, and was chosen a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. Bassham started all 13 games at center, as the Vulcans advanced to both the PSAC Championship and Super Region One Championship.

FEMALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Mikayla Linkous (Softball)
Linkous holds a 3.97 cumulative GPA while pursuing a degree in health sciences with a minor in psychology. She set career highs with a .333 average (27-for-81) and 37 starts this spring while also posting a .449 on-base percentage.

MALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Michael Valente (Baseball)
Valente boasts a 4.00 cumulative GPA while majoring in management with a minor in marketing. He was named the 2025 PSAC Champion Scholar and was tabbed a consensus all-region selection in his second year as a starting pitcher. Valente tied the single-season school record with 10 victories this spring.

FEMALE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Loreena Manser (Track & Field)
Manser earned All-PSAC honors a combined four times in 2025. At the outdoor championships, she placed second in both the 200-meter dash and long jump with the second-best marks in program history. Manser also scored in the 100-meter dash and was a member of both relays at the league meet. The Virginia native also finished second overall in the 200 meters at the indoor championships and scored in the 60-meter dash.

MALE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Jordyn Buchanan (Basketball)
Buchanan ranked third on the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game while playing all 30 games, including 24 starts. He also averaged 5.2 rebounds per game and shot 46.7 percent (112-of-240) from the floor in 28.1 minutes per game.

FEMALE BREAKOUT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Talia Gilliard (Basketball)
Gilliard received All-PSAC West Second-Team honors in her first year as a starter. She led the team in scoring at 13.6 points per game after entering the year with 157 career points. Gilliard ranked third in the league with 2.6 steals per game while playing a team-high 33.8 minutes per game.

MALE BREAKOUT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Rashan Murray (Football)
Murray earned All-America laurels from multiple organizations following the 2024 campaign. He tied for second in NCAA Division II with 18 total passes defended and led the team with four interceptions after entering the year with zero interceptions in 19 career games. Murray also set a career high with 39 tackles (27 solo).

FEMALE TOP TEAM CUMULATIVE GPA – Volleyball
Volleyball boasts a 3.636 cumulative GPA. The team features a total of 21 players with at least a 3.00 GPA and nine upperclassmen hold a 3.50 GPA or higher.

MALE TOP TEAM CUMULATIVE GPA – Golf
Golf holds a 3.473 cumulative GPA. A total of 14 golfers maintain at least a 3.10 GPA with seven different golfers posting a 4.00 GPA in a session during the academic year.

Note, student-athletes must have completed 72 credit hours to be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.