The YESPYS 2024-25 Department Awards
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@yorkcardinals honor and celebrate 2024-25 season at The YESPYS Awards Show

York College held its annual athletics awards banquet to honor outstanding achievements from the 2024-25 academic year.

JAMAICA, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College Department of Athletics held its year-end awards banquet Thursday evening, celebrating the 2024-25 season in Cardinal athletics with The YESPYS, the 49th annual Athletic Awards Banquet, held inside the York College Gymnasium.
 
Gallery: (5-22-2025) The YESPYS 2024-25

Gerald Asbell, who also serves as York's public address announcer for men's and women's basketball, welcomed the crowd and recognized outstanding athletic achievements as the emcee for the night.

Director of Athletics Carl Christian opened the program with welcoming remarks prior to the 2024-25 awards presentation.


The department of athletics handed out appreciation awards by recognizing a select group of campus personnel for their contributions to further enhance the student-athlete experience:
  • Office of Information Technology Services
  • Scott Olson (Athletic Training coverage)
CUNYAC Scholar-Athletes, College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team® members, CUNYAC All-Stars and CUNYAC Sportsmanship Team recipients from the 2024-25 academic year were also recognized.

Coaches then handed out the 2024-25 Team Awards.

Men's Basketball Women's Basketball Men's Cross Country Women's Cross Country Men's Soccer Women's Soccer Softball Men's Tennis Women's Tennis Men's Track & Field (Indoor) Women's Track & Field (Indoor) Men's Track & Field (Outdoor) Women's Track & Field (Outdoor) Men's Volleyball Women's Volleyball
The 2024-25 senior class of 31 (listed below) were presented with Senior Awards and a tribute video for their dedication to York College Athletics. In addition to the team awards, the following department awards were presented:

Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award 
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards recognizes a student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average.  The honoree must have competed in a minimum of one season of competition and successfully completed two academic semesters of full-time enrollment with a minimum of 24 credits at York.

Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Michael Zhang (Men's Cross Country/Track & Field)
  • Michael Zhang is a Clinical Laboratory Science major with a 3.960 cumulative grade point average. During his York career, Zhang is a three-time honoree for both the Dean's List and CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. Across two seasons with cross country and track & field (indoor/outdoor), Zhang runner received one CUNYAC Indoor Track & Field Honorable Mention selection, made the 2024 CUNYAC Outdoor Track & Field All-Star team, and has medaled four times at CUNYAC Championships.
Team Academic Award
The Academic Award recognizes a team with the highest cumulative grade-point average based on our academic report prior to the start of the Spring semester.  The Team GPA Award encompasses all student-athletes rostered and/or who triggered a season of eligibility based on the average of individual cumulative GPA.  

Team Academic Award: Women's Tennis
  • Women's Tennis earned the 2024-25 Team Academic Award as they combined for a 3.159 cumulative grade point average.
Newcomer of the Year Award (Female/Male)
Newcomer of the Year awards are presented to our top female and male student-athlete newcomer who had the most successful first season as a Cardinal.

Female Newcomer of the Year: Brithney Bielma (Women's Soccer)
  • Brithney Bielma excelled in her first season as a member of York's women's soccer team, playing in all 15 matches to lead the team with eight goals and 18 points. She had a standout game against Medgar Evers College (Sept. 23), pacing York to victory with a four-goal performance on the way to earning a CUNYAC Player of the Week Honorable Mention—the program's first weekly conference recognition since 2019. Bielma's 18 points are the fourth most in a single season in program history, while her eight goals place fifth. 
Male Newcomer of the Year: Brandon Barrett (Men's Basketball)
  • Brandon Barrett made an immediate impact in his first season for men's basketball. The big man led York in rebounds (11.6) and blocks (1.9) per game while averaging 13.5 points across a team-high 728 minutes in 22 games. He led the CUNYAC in rebounding, ranked second in both total rebounds and double-doubles (12), and finished 13th in scoring. On the national stage, he ranked 7th in NCAA Division III in rebounds per game, tied for 20th in double-doubles, and placed 37th in blocks per game. His consistent performance earned him four CUNYAC Rookie of the Week honors—the second most in program history—along with the CUNYAC Rookie of the Year award and a Second-Team All-Star selection. Highlighting his season was a standout game against Division I Long Island University, where he tallied 15 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks, showcasing his ability to compete at a high level.
Career Award (Female/Male)
Career Awards are given to a female and male student-athlete who were deemed to have the most impactful career with a minimum of three years played at York.  The honoree must have exhausted eligibility in their primary sport, if applicable, or be a graduating student-athlete. 

Female Career Award: Alicia Gumbs (Women's Basketball)
  • Alicia Gumbs capped an impressive 81-game career over four years to average 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per contest. She reached the 1,000-point milestone at Centenary University (12/11/2024) and finished with 1,316 career points—third-most in program history. Gumbs ranks among the top five in several all-time categories at York, including field goals, free throws, points per game, total assists, and assists per game. She played a key role in York's success during her tenure, helping lead the team to back-to-back CUNYAC Championship semifinal appearances in 2021–22 and 2022–23.  Gumbs accolades include three CUNYAC weekly honors, nine Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) Honorable Mentions, two CUNYAC All-Star Second Team selections, and recognition as a 2024–25 MBWA Division III Women's Basketball Honorable Mention. A multi-sport athlete, Gumbs also competed in three seasons of softball and two seasons of women's volleyball, underscoring her all-around athletic excellence.
Male Career Award: Stanley Sanchez (Men's Soccer/Volleyball)
  • Stanley Sanchez earned the Career Award for his outstanding contributions to both the men's soccer and men's volleyball programs at York. A three-year member and captain of the soccer team, Sanchez played in 34 matches, recording eight goals and four assists from the midfield. Sanchez was named to the CUNYAC All-Star Second Team in his debut season in 2022, twice selected as a CUNYAC Preseason Player to Watch, and received a CUNYAC Player of the Week Honorable Mention for his key equalizer against Penn State Scranton (9/11/2024). On the volleyball court, Sanchez became York's primary setter during the 2024 season, finishing his career with 1,068 assists—the first York player to surpass the 1,000-assist mark since 2014. His impact was recognized with a 2024 CUNYAC Preseason Player to Watch nod and two CUNYAC Sportsmanship Team selections. Beyond athletics, Sanchez has been a standout in the classroom, earning five CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll selections, a spot on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) as 2023–24 and 2024-25 Academic All-District® Men's At-Large Team, and a 2024–25 CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention.
'I Am Cardinal' Award
The 'I Am a Cardinal' Award is presented to the student-athletes who best embody the team-first principles of sportsmanship, mutual respect, commitment, and discipline. In 2023-24, York recognizes a female and male student-athlete who demonstrated these values. These student-athletes stepped up to display the leadership that each team needed.

"I Am A Cardinal" Award (Female): Michelle Mancuso
  • Michelle Mancuso demonstrated exceptional versatility and commitment across multiple sports. When the softball team needed a catcher, she moved from her primary position at first base and caught all 25 games without missing any. Alongside her softball responsibilities, Mancuso was a key contributor to the women's soccer team, starting as goalkeeper and logging 955 minutes over 13 games. She also provided valuable frontcourt support for the women's basketball team, appearing in 16 contests and averaging 20.3 minutes per game off the bench. Her leadership and team-first attitude made a significant impact across all three programs.
"I Am A Cardinal" Award (Male): Richard Reyes
  • Richard Reyes was a member of the men's swimming team in 2023–24, and with no swim season in 2024–25, he stepped up for the Cardinals by competing in cross country as well as both indoor and outdoor track & field, participating in 17 meets across the three seasons. Always striving to improve, Reyes recorded the team's best time at the Cross Country Championships, earned a CUNYAC Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week Honorable Mention, and won two medals during the track seasons. Known for cheering and energizing his teammates, Reyes—who resides in the Bronx—commutes to York to join the team bus for major events such as the Cross Country Championships at Van Cortlandt Park, the Indoor Track & Field Championships at The Armory, and the Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Icahn Stadium. At the recent Track & Field Championships, Reyes anchored the men's 4x400-meter relay after competing in the grueling 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Coach of the Year Award
The Coach of the Year award honors a coach who has demonstrated an exemplary ability to develop and improve individual and team performance on and off the court.   

Coach of the Year: Anthony Reyes (Men's Volleyball)
  • Anthony Reyes led York to a resurgent season, earning seven wins—including five in conference play, the most since 2016. Selected to finish tied for seventh in the CUNYAC Preseason Coaches Poll, York outperformed expectations by securing the No. 6 seed in the CUNYAC Championship, marking the program's first postseason appearance since 2016. Reyes oversaw a standout freshman campaign by Sebastian Gomez, the continued development of Stanley Sanchez into a proficient setter, and the steady play of veterans David Heyliger Jr. and Ahmed Algendy.  Under his leadership, the Cardinals pushed opponents consistently, recording 47 sets with over 20 points—including the program's first set win over Baruch College since 2014.
Team of the Year Award
The Team of the Year award recognizes a team that was deemed to have had the best overall season and with not only success on the field of play, but also consistently representing the school with character and integrity.

Team of the Year: Men's Volleyball
  • Men's Volleyball team delivered one of its most competitive seasons in recent memory, highlighted by a return to the CUNYAC Championship for the first time since 2016. Despite being picked to finish tied for seventh in the CUNYAC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Cardinals battled their way to the No. 6 seed and secured a pivotal five-set victory at John Jay College—their first win there since 2016—on their path to postseason qualification. York posted seven total wins, including five in conference play, and ranked among the top six in the league in points, kills, assists, digs per set, and hitting percentage. Nationally, the Cardinals stood out with a No. 23 ranking in aces per set (1.89). The team featured a mix of emerging and veteran talent, with freshman Sebastian Gomez making an immediate impact and returning players like Stanley Sanchez, David Heyliger Jr., and Ahmed Algendy providing consistent production. The Cardinals also recorded 47 sets with 20 or more points and notched their first set win over Baruch College since 2014. The season's success was recognized with multiple individual honors, including a CUNYAC All-Star First-Team selection, a Sportsmanship Team nod, two Rookie of the Week awards, and two Player of the Week Honorable Mentions.
Student-Athlete of the Year Award (Female/Male)
The Student-Athlete of the Year awards recognize our top male and female student-athletes who had the most successful season of competition in 2023-24.

Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Alicia Gumbs (Women's Basketball)
  • Alicia Gumbs delivered another standout campaign in 2024–25, averaging 20.2 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.9 steals per game—figures that ranked 4th, 12th, and 5th, respectively, among CUNYAC players. Leading the nation in minutes per game (39.6), Gumbs also ranked 21st in points per game and 40th in steals per game. A dynamic scoring threat, she topped the 20-point mark 11 times, highlighted by a season-high 33-point performance at John Jay College (1/28/2025). Gumbs' consistency was recognized with four Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) Player of the Week Honorable Mention selections, a CUNYAC Player of the Week Honorable Mention, and a second-consecutive CUNYAC All-Star Second Team citation. Gumbs also earned a spot on the All-MBWA Division III Honorable Mention list. Over the course of her career, Gumbs became the third-leading scorer in program history with 1,316 points—reaching the 1,000-point milestone at Centenary University (12/11/2024) —and ranks in the program's top five in categories including field goals, free throws, assists, and points per game. Gumbs' all-around impact and leadership on the court earned her a second straight Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Sebastian Gomez (Men's Volleyball)
  • Sebastian Gomez had a dominant season, appearing in 82 sets across 23 matches and leading the team with 387.5 points, 243 kills, and a .214 attack percentage, while also ranking second with 130 digs. He recorded double-digit kills in 20 matches and consistently impressed throughout the season, earning two CUNYAC Rookie of the Week awards and two CUNYAC Player of the Week Honorable Mentions. Gomez paced the conference with 4.72 points per set and 4.21 kills per set, placing 12th and 10th nationally among NCAA Division III players. His outstanding play helped lead the Cardinals to their first CUNYAC Championship appearance since 2016 and secured him a spot on the CUNYAC All-Star First Team.
Gallery: (5-22-2025) 2024-25 Department / Team Awards

For the latest news on the Cardinals, log on to www.yorkathletics.com – the official site of York College athletics. Also, become a follower of the Cardinals on Instagram (@yorkcardinals), X (@yorkcardinals) and YouTube (@yorkathletics), and "LIKE" Us on Facebook (York Athletics).
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Players Mentioned

Emperatriz Cesar

Emperatriz Cesar

5' 4"
Senior
Anuar Arias

#21 Anuar Arias

M
5' 10"
Sophomore
David Luna

#2 David Luna

F
5' 8"
Junior
Emelin Cajamarca

#8 Emelin Cajamarca

F
5' 1"
Senior
Aisatou Diallo

#15 Aisatou Diallo

D
5' 9"
Sophomore
Gema Guillen

#5 Gema Guillen

D
5' 4"
Senior
Jachimma Onwuamaegbu

#12 Jachimma Onwuamaegbu

MH
5' 11"
Sophomore
Maria Ventura

#17 Maria Ventura

RS
5' 3"
Junior
Karyme Martinez

#7 Karyme Martinez

D
5' 0"
Freshman
Brithney Bielma

#17 Brithney Bielma

F
5' 4"
Freshman
Mitzi Gallardo

#18 Mitzi Gallardo

D
5' 6"
Freshman
Malal Diallo

#23 Malal Diallo

M
5' 10"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Emperatriz Cesar

Emperatriz Cesar

5' 4"
Senior
Anuar Arias

#21 Anuar Arias

5' 10"
Sophomore
M
David Luna

#2 David Luna

5' 8"
Junior
F
Emelin Cajamarca

#8 Emelin Cajamarca

5' 1"
Senior
F
Aisatou Diallo

#15 Aisatou Diallo

5' 9"
Sophomore
D
Gema Guillen

#5 Gema Guillen

5' 4"
Senior
D
Jachimma Onwuamaegbu

#12 Jachimma Onwuamaegbu

5' 11"
Sophomore
MH
Maria Ventura

#17 Maria Ventura

5' 3"
Junior
RS
Karyme Martinez

#7 Karyme Martinez

5' 0"
Freshman
D
Brithney Bielma

#17 Brithney Bielma

5' 4"
Freshman
F
Mitzi Gallardo

#18 Mitzi Gallardo

5' 6"
Freshman
D
Malal Diallo

#23 Malal Diallo

5' 10"
Freshman
M