Auburn honors student-athletes at 14th AUSPY Awards

Auburn honors student-athletes at 14th AUSPY AwardsAuburn honors student-athletes at 14th AUSPY Awards

AUBURN, Ala.  Softball's Maddie Penta and men's basketball's Johni Broome won Student-Athlete of the Year honors Tuesday at the 14th annual AUSPY Awards at Gogue Performing Arts Center.

Nominees were selected by a vote from student-athletes and Auburn Athletics staff for their performances in 2023 spring sports and fall and winter sports from the 2023-24 athletic year.

Penta, the 2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year, turned in one of the most dominating pitching seasons in program history, earning All-America honors while recording a 27-7 record, 303 strikeouts, three saves, 17 complete games, eight shutouts and a 1.71 ERA. 

Broome, Auburn's leading scorer (16.5) and rebounder (8.5), recorded 14 double-doubles in 2023-24, leading the Tigers to the SEC Tournament championship while earning consensus All-America honors.

The MVP of the conference tournament, Broome earned All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team recognition.

Women's basketball's thrilling victory over defending national champion No. 7 LSU on Jan. 14 was voted as the War Eagle Moment. Honesty Scott-Grayson scored 21 points to lead Auburn to a 67-62 win in front of 7,720, the largest crowd to witness a women's basketball game at Neville Arena.  
 New venue: Gogue Performing Arts Center hosted the AUSPYs for the first time
Equestrian won women's Team of the Year honors for claiming its fifth consecutive SEC championship and finishing as national runner-up in 2023, adding a sixth straight SEC title in 2024.

Men's basketball won Team of the Year recognition after earning 27 victories, the third most in program history, including three wins in three days in Nashville in March to win the 2024 SEC Tournament championship. Auburn went 15-1 this season at Neville Arena and finished second in the SEC with a 13-5 conference record.

Baseball's Ike Irish and swimming and diving's Lawson Ficken won Newcomer of the Year AUSPYs. Soccer's LJ Knox and men's golf's Ryan Eshleman were honored for sportsmanship.

Gymnast Cassie Stevens and swimming and diving's Aidan Stoffle earned Scholar-Athlete of the Year AUSPYs.

Gymnast Olivia Greaves earned the Inspiration Award for inspiring her teammates with her perseverance while returning to competition after multiple surgeries.

Baseball's Joseph Gonzalez earned the Student-Athlete Support Services Academic Achievement Award.

Volleyball's Jackie Barrett and football's Elijah McAllister received the Virgil Starks Passion Award for displaying exceptional spirit and character.

Men's tennis and women's swimming and diving posted the highest team GPAs.

Athletics director John Cohen presented the David Housel Spirit of Auburn Award to gymnast Sophia Groth and men's basketball's Dylan Cardwell for inspiring others and selflessly giving their time and talents to the betterment of their teams.
 Spirit of Auburn AUSPY recipients Sophia Groth and Dylan Cardwell with athletics director John Cohen
 
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer