University of Houston Athletics
Celebrating #CougarChoice26 Awards in Style
4/28/2026 9:29:00 AM | Baseball, Cross Country, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Softball, Track and Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Volleyball, Women's Track and Field
Houston Athletics celebrates 2025-26 with annual awards banquet
HOUSTON — University of Houston student-athletes, coaches and staff joined together to celebrate the department's historic year while honoring a host of standouts during the annual Cougar Choice Awards, held Monday night inside Fertitta Center.
The Cougar Choice Award Winners are:
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Regina Torres Pomar | @uhcougarswim
🏆: Rich Stotter Champion for Life pic.twitter.com/KMWj3DRTlW— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Rich Stotter Champion for Life - Awarded to an exceptionally well-rounded student-athlete based on the following criteria: academics, athletics, civic/community service and career development
WINNER - Regina Torres Pomar is very involved in Coogs in the Community leading several community service efforts while also serving as her team's SAAC representative. She attended the 2025 Women in the Game Sports Forum and set a Top 10 program time in the 100m backstroke.
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Emanuel Sharp | @uhcougarmbk
🏆: Male Cougar of the Year
P.S. we know this is not Emanuel pic.twitter.com/kJqaGpQBJ5— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Male Cougar of the Year - Awarded to the Houston's top male student-athlete
WINNER - Emanuel Sharp wrote his name in the record books this season as he became the seventh player with 100 career victories and the school's leader in career 3-pointers. Sharp was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and was a Jerry West Award Finalist.
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Kaycee McCoy | @uhcougartf
🏆: Female Cougar of the Year pic.twitter.com/hcIzRPQysh— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Female Cougar of the Year - Awarded to the Houston's top female student-athlete
WINNER - Kaycee McCoy earned the No. 2 time in school history in the 60m hurdle placing second at the 2026 Big 12 Indoor Championships to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships.
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Kingston Flemings | @uhcougarmbk
🏆: Male Rookie of the Year
P.S. we know this still isn't Kingston pic.twitter.com/RGpW4A6bl8— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Male Rookie of the Year - Freshman student-athlete who made significant contributions
WINNER - Kingston Flemings had one of the most dominant freshman seasons in Houston history as he earned All-America honors from eight different organizations. He set the freshman single game and season scoring records and was the team leader in scoring, assists and steals.
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Samira Minor | @uhcougarsoccer
🏆: Female Rookie of the Year pic.twitter.com/GReIMRNmCj— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Female Rookie of the Year - Freshman student-athlete who made significant contributions
WINNER - Soccer's Samira Minor earned Big 12 All-Freshman and Second Team honors and led all Big 12 freshmen with six goals during the regular season. She was the first Big 12 soccer student athlete since 2021 to win multiple weekly awards in the same week with her Big 12 Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week honors
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Football | @uhcougarfb
🏆: Athletics Team of the Year pic.twitter.com/XUBfw0kds4— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Chevron UH Athletics Team of the Year - Based on GPA, community service and overall record
WINNER - Football's 2025 campaign was tied for a nation-leading 6-win turnaround and capped the season with the program's 10th 10-win season with a victory over LSU in the Texas Bowl. The Cougars finished in the Top 25 in both the Associated Press and Coaches' Poll.
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Kingston Flemings | @UHCougarMBK
🏆: Play of the Year | 3-pointer v. Texas Tech
P.S. we know this is not Kingston pic.twitter.com/7s4TUEyoO4— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Play of the Year - Top play during 2025-26
WINNER - With the shot clock winding down, Kingston Flemings buried a 3-pointer to give the Cougars a 4-point lead to defeat Texas Tech.
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Football v. LSU | @uhcougarfb
🏆: Game of the Year pic.twitter.com/2NMRhkDZ5e— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 27, 2026
Game of the Year - Based on crowd, opponent, intensity and historical significance
WINNER - Football rallied from an early 14-0 deficit for a 38-35 victory over LSU in the Texas Bowl for the program's most points scored against an SEC foe since 2004.
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Football | @uhcougarfb
🏆: Head Coach of the Year pic.twitter.com/cWqOsGEABc— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 27, 2026
Head Coach of the Year - Based on record, historical significance, student-athlete respect and impact in the community
WINNER - Willie Fritz, Football
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Ruben Lindsay | @uhcougarmgolf
🏆: Academic Male Cougar of the Year pic.twitter.com/Q55pL8KHuC— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 27, 2026
Male Academic Cougar of the Year - A leader in the classroom
WINNER - Ruben Lindsay, Men's Golf, Finance and Marketing
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Ayren Lightfoot | @uhcougartf
🏆: Academic Female Cougar of the Year pic.twitter.com/0LoJeaDNe2— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 27, 2026
Female Academic Cougar of the Year - A leader in the classroom
WINNER - Ayren Lightfoot, Cross Country, Civil Engineering
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Ghabriel Mossop
🏆: Staff Member of the Year pic.twitter.com/dQ4GwRdX1B— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 27, 2026
Staff Member of the Year - An individual who has impacted student-athletes in a significant way
WINNER - Ghabriel Mossop, Graduate Assistant for Student-Athlete Development
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Alondra Ortiz | @uhcougarswim
🏆: DJ Hayden Award pic.twitter.com/DflAPtGZY8— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
DJ Hayden Award - Student-athlete who has overcome significant obstacles in life, has a positive outlook and pursues excellence despite obstacles
WINNER - Alondra Ortiz, Swimming & Diving
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Judy Cook | @UHCougarPride
🏆: Ken Baxter Award – this award is given to a Cougar Pride member who has been an integral part of volunteer efforts across Houston Athletics. Judy has contributed to major large-scale events this year and… pic.twitter.com/q92fPxVWr4— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Ken Baxter Award - Individual whose volunteerism has positively impacted Houston Athletics during 2025-26
WINNER - Judy Cook
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Chris and Jillian Gamble | @UHCougarPride
🏆: Mike Cemo Award – this award is given to Alumni who continue to show support for their respective sports. Chris and Jillian both continuously give back to the Football and Volleyball… pic.twitter.com/1GyVZ3YIV5— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Mike Cemo Award - Honors the enduring dedication of former Houston student-athletes who have generously contributed their time and efforts to uplift the athletics department while also achieving remarkable success in their respective endeavors beyond the field
WINNER - Chris and Jillian Gamble
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Bella Scopel | @UHCougarSwim
🏆: Best Dressed pic.twitter.com/y1rZwxHheC— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Best Dressed
WINNER - Bella Scopel, Swimming & Diving
And the Cougar Choice Award goes to…
✨: Jairius Burton | @UHCougarTF
🏆: Best Stepper pic.twitter.com/hpY6qN5DJb— Houston Athletics (@UHCougars) April 28, 2026
Best Shoes
WINNER - Jairius Burton, Men's Track & Field
Superstar Awards - Student-athletes whose hard work doesn't go unnoticed even if they are not the strongest athletic performer, they are a great teammate and an excellent representative of the athletic organization
WINNERS:
Gabriela Cortes, Tennis
Mandy Esman, Softball
Samira Minor, Soccer
Aidan Conner, Volleyball
Kaycee McCoy, Women's Track & Field
Addison Hite, Women's Cross Country
Ryan Mulholland, Men's Track & Field
Zac Miller, Men's Cross Country
Evelyn Entrekin, Swimming & Diving
Jorynn Ross, Women's Basketball
Chase McCarty, Men's Basketball
Landon Williams, Baseball
Dean Connors, Football
Chi Chun Chen, Men's Golf
Natalie Saint Germain, Women's Golf
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Players Mentioned
