BEL AIR, MD -- The 2024-2025 athletic year has come to an end, as the Fighting Owls finish with 13 championships titles, including a third straight men's lacrosse national championship and five Region 20 championships. On April 28, the athletics department held its annual Owlspy Awards to honor and recognize its student-athletes, coaches, staff and supporters.
Athletes of the Year
Laura Piva (volleyball) and
Rex Pearce (soccer) took home the respective female and male athlete of the year awards.
Piva, a native of Trecate, Italy, helped led the Fighting Owls women's volleyball team to its second consecutive trip to the NJCAA Division II national championship tournament. She finished the season with 342 kills, including a career-high 27 on September 14, 2024 against Allegany.
Pearce tied for the most goals in Region 20 Division I wit 15, including the lone goal against USC Lancaster on September 2, 2024 and on two occasions scored three goals in a game. He also led the region in points (37) and shots (86).
Coach of the Year
Harford women's basketball head coach
Marvin Evans was voted coach of the year, after leading the Fighting Owls to a 16-14 record - as many wins as the last three seasons combined - and their first Region 20 title in six years. Evans also helped guide sophomores
Madison Nimmo and
Eshe Knox to All-Region 20 First Team honors and Nimmo to an NJCAA Division I All-America honorable mention.
Assistant Coach of the Year
After the Fighting Owls men's and women's tennis head coach resigned in October 2024 to pursue an opportunity at an NCAA university, assistant coach Kevin Shaner stepped up to the helm of both programs. Shaner then led the men's team to the NJCAA Division I Men's Championships where the Fighting Owls finished 10th out of 28 schools.
Rookie of the Year
Soraya Ramirez (women's soccer) snagged this award after a freshman season of 12 goals and three assists. The Dulaney High School alum had three multi-goal games, including a five-goal performance on September 5, 2024 against Carroll Community College.
Other awards and honors include:
Male Scholar Athlete:
Rex Pearce (men's soccer)
Female Scholar Athlete: Vanessa Padilla (women's tennis)
Team Performance of the Year: Women's Volleyball - Undefeated in regular season, second consecutive trip to nationals, beating Monroe University
Sportsmanship Award:
Beryl Johnson (women's soccer)
Bruce Hart Memorial Scholarship:
Ryan Sweiderk and
Zach Curry (men's lacrosse)
Offensive Performance of the Year: Reuben Livingston (baseball) - Went 8-for-10 with two homers and nine RBIs in a doubleheader vs. Hagerstown
Defensive Performance of the Year:
Archie Bennett (men's soccer) - Two penalty kick saves versus Montgomery in Region 20 Championship game
Screech Award (HCC employee that made a significant impact on Harford Athletics): Sam Beall, Athletics Support Staff (Lead Photographer and Social Media Coordinator)
Fighting Owl Award (HCC department that made a positive and influential impact on athletics): My College Success Network
Business Partner of the Year: Academy Bus Charters
