FERRUM, Virginia -- Ferrum College held its annual student-athlete awards night on Thursday, April 24, at Swartz Gymnasium. Panthers Choice Awards was presented by Ferrum's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Providing support for Ferrum's SAAC are Deputy Director of Athletics Alexis Anderson, Head Women's Soccer Coach Erin Saleeby, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Ashton Funderburg and Assistant Softball Coach Courtlynn Cooney.

Individual and team awards were presented in front of the entire Athletic Department. Also, graduating senior student-athletes were presented with medallions and graduation stoles, and a number of individual and teams were honored. All awards are listed below.

President's Cup and Female Athlete of the Year: Bri Bitz Women's Soccer
Bitz was an Academic All-America second team selection for Ferrum this season. She earned Ferrum's Psychology Award in 2023-24, 4th team All-Region (2025) first team VaSID All-State (2024), second team All-ODAC (2024), CSC All-Academic All-District (2024), VaSID Academic All-State (2023-24), Ferrum Newcomer of the Year (2023-24), Morgan's Message Community Service, Habitat for Humanity and the Humane Society, Women's Soccer Team Captain.

Female Senior Athlete of the Year Makaila Veney, Women's Lacrosse
Veney's honors include Women's Lacrosse Team Captain, two-time All-ODAC 2nd team (2023, 2024), ODAC All-Academic Team (2023, 2024), CSC Academic All-District (2024), VaSID Academic All-State (2024), IWLCA Division III Academic Honor Roll (2024). Outside of athletics, she is pursuing a degree in Health and Human Performance with a focus on Health and Fitness Management, along with a Liberal Studies major and minors in Business, Coaching, and Exercise Science. Veney has made the Dean's List three semesters and the President's List one semester. Additionally, she holds several campus-wide leadership roles, including SGA Class President for three years, a member of the Black Student Union, a SAAC Representative for one year, a Student Admissions Ambassador, a Connection Leader, and a Student Engagement Assistant.

Female Newcomer of the Year: Lana Barkovic, Women's Lacrosse
Barkovic was a tremendous asset on the field for the women's lacrosse team. Through regular season play, she led the team in shots (71), shots on goal (58) and goals (38), and was second on the team in draw controls, caused turnovers and ground balls.

Male Athlete of the Year: Rayshawn Dixon, Wrestling
Dixon's honors include being a two-time NCAA Div. III All-American (5th in 2024, 4th in 2025), three-time NCAA National Qualifier (1 of 3 in program history), 2two-time NCAA Regional Champion (1 of 2 in program history), four-time NCAA Regional Placer (1 of 3 in program history), three-time Pete Willson Wheaton Invitational (1st in program history), NWCA Scholar All American, Presidents list two semesters, Ferrum wrestling all-time wins leader with 133 career wins. Dixon earned ODAC Wrestler of the Week twice this season, giving him a school record 10 career ODAC weekly honors.

President's Cup and Male Senior Athlete of the Year: Zach Beckner, Wrestling
Beckner is a two-time NCAA Div. III All-American (2nd in 2017, 4th in 2025), one of only two in program history. Beckner is the only ever NCAA national runner-up in any sport at Ferrum. He is a three-time NCAA National Qualifier (1 of 3 in program history), two-time NWCA Scholar AA (1 of 2 in program history), two-time NCAA Regional Champion (1 of 2 in program history). Beckner also has been honored with three semesters on the President's List. He was also named ODAC Wrestler of the Week once this season.

Male Newcomer of the Year: William Hutton, Football
Hutton had a phenomenal year is his first year season with the Panther football program, earning All-ODAC first team, VaSID All-State first team, and d3football.com All-Region second team. He was also named ODAC Player of the Week once this season. Hutton punted 53 times for 2,185 yards and finished 14th in the nation with his 41.2 yards per punt average. Nine of his punts sailed for 50 or more yards, and 21 punts dropped inside the 20 yard line.
 
Team Panther Pride Award: Women's Soccer
Female Team Highest GPA: Women's Soccer
Male Team Highest GPA: Baseball