ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Lucas Berglund (men's soccer) and Chance Bucher (women's basketball) received the highest honor an athlete can obtain at Eckerd College as they were selected as the James R. Harley Award winners at the 10th annual ECSPY awards in Fox Hall on Thursday, May 8.
The James R. Harley Award is annually presented to the top senior male and female student-athletes who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in the classroom, in the field of competition, and in their community.
Berglund, from Uppsala, Sweden, and is a four-year member of the men's soccer team. He has appeared in 57 games over his career, logging over 4,000 minutes with a goal and an assist. He is a four-time recipient of the SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll, a three-time CSC academic all-district honoree, received the D2ADA Academic Achievement Award, and was inducted into the college's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He is a Ford Apprentice Scholar, team captain, and member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Bucher, from Half Moon Bay, California, is a two-year member of the squad. She has appeared in 56 games, posting 683 points, 326 rebounds, and 78 assists. She led the team this year in points and rebounds, with six double-doubles. She was tabbed a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American, D2CCA South Region Second Team, All-SSC First Team, and four-time SSC Player of the Week, while leading Eckerd to the SSC Tournament Championship Title in 2024. She is a recipient of the SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll and D2ADA Academic Achievement Award, and is a member of SAAC.
During the ECSPYs, Eckerd student-athletes presented the MVP Awards to their peers (see below for winners). The event's emcees were baseball player Ryan Gargett and softball player Brandilyn Reymer.
Chance Bucher (women's basketball) and Hannah Taylor (softball) were co-female athletes of the year, while Reggie Fear (men's golf) was the male athlete of the year. Lex Difato (softball) and Fear (men's golfer) were tabbed the rookies of the year. Additionally, Eckerd's national tournament appearances were recognized: women's golfers Sandra Eriksson and Melissa Ball, men's golfer Reggie Fear, and open sailing.
Women's golf took home the William J. Mathews Academic Excellence Award, presented to the team with the highest GPA over the past year. Women's golf was also the team of the year. In addition, women's basketball player Sonja Schuch and baseball player Rick Koch were honored as the recipients of the Senior Scholar-Athlete Award presented to the female and male senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative GPA.
Matt Kilgroe was honored with the "Friends of Athletics" award, Kelly McGaughey was named The Sue McDermott Friend of the Tritons award winner, while Dr. Denise Flaherty was voted as the Professor of the Year.
The complete list of team awards is listed below.
James R. Harley Award
Female: Chance Bucher
Male: Lucas Berglund
Team of the Year
Women's Golf
Athlete of the Year
Male: Reggie Fear
Co-Female: Chance Bucher, Hannah Taylor
Newcomer of the Year
Male: Reggie Fear
Co-Female: Lex Difato
Perseverance Award
Emma Lou Smith (women's soccer)
Women's Soccer
MVP: Kendall Drummond
Triton: Gabby Morman
Men's Soccer
MVP: Luchiano Rodriguez
Triton: Finn Steele
Volleyball
MVP: Stella Antypa
Triton: Charlize Whitholz
Men's Basketball
MVP: Isaiah Placide
Triton: Roque Rosario
Women's Basketball
MVP: Chance Bucher
Triton: Jaylen Ostonson
Women's Tennis
MVP: Olivia Lindestaf
Triton: Kylie Misdorp
Men's Tennis
MVP: Batu Asteven
Triton: Mario Kirkov
Holt Weeks Sportsmanship Award: Adrian Gheorghe
Women's Golf
MVP: Sandra Eriksson
Triton: Sophie Foulds
Men's Golf
MVP: Reggie Fear
Triton: Tyler Van Dusen
Softball
MVP: Hannah Taylor
Triton: Kinsley Castro
Baseball
Co-MVP: Zade Stark, Luis Garrido
Sailing
MVP: Tia Soultanakis
Triton: Lily Schwartz
Beach Volleyball
MVP: Anna Jupin
Triton: Brooke Hand
