Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Athletics Announces Arnold Palmer, Marge Crisp and Newcomer of the Year Awards
7/15/2025 9:00:00 AM | General
Four Demon Deacon student-athletes were honored for their impactful contributions during an unforgettable year.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Capping off a year to remember, Wake Forest Athletics this week announced the winners of the Arnold Palmer Award (Male Athlete of the Year) and the Marge Crisp Award (Female Athlete of the Year), as well as the first rendition of the Male and Female Newcomer of the Year awards.
Arnold Palmer Award (Male Athlete of the Year) - DK Suresh Ekambaram
DK Suresh Ekambaram capped off an incredible junior season in 2024-25 as he helped lead the Wake Forest men's tennis team to its second NCAA National Championship in program history, and the first national title since 2018. Suresh Ekambaram was a key contributor throughout the season which saw the Demon Deacons win not only the NCAA National Championship, but also the ACC Regular Season Championship and the ITA Indoor National Championship during the program's first undefeated season in its history. Overall, Suresh Ekambaram led the Demon Deacons with 20 victories in singles competition, including the National Championship-clinching victory against TCU, while also posting a team-best 28-5 record in doubles matches. Suresh Ekambaram was named an ITA Singles All-American, a two-time ITA Doubles All-American, a member of the NCAA All-Tournament team, and an NCAA All-American following a semifinal run during the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.
Winning the 2025 Arnold Palmer Award caps off a historic season where Suresh Ekambaram's leadership and efforts, along with his teammates, brought about a new standard for the men's tennis program. Off the court, the Chennai, India, native was named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American, while also earning a spot on the ACC Honor Roll for the second time.
Finally, Suresh Ekambaram becomes the fourth men's tennis player to win the Arnold Palmer Award, and the first since Petros Chrysochos won the award in back-to-back years in 2018-19.
Marge Crisp Award (Female Athlete of the Year) - Caiya Hanks
Junior Caiya Hanks recorded one of the best individual seasons in women's soccer program history during the 2024 season, helping guide the Demon Deacons to their first National Championship game appearance in school history. Hanks recorded a program-record 12 assists during the season, including a program-best five assists during the NCAA Tournament. The Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, native also added a team-high 11 goals and 34 points, with her 34 points ranking third all-time for the most points in a single season.
As a result of her incredible junior campaign, Hanks became just the second Demon Deacon to be named a First Team All-American, while also becoming the first player in program history to be named a MAC Herman Finalist as the best female collegiate soccer player in the country.
Winning the 2025 Marge Crisp Award marks a fitting end for Hanks' Wake Forest career, as her achievements, along with her teammates, have helped usher in a new level of success to the women's soccer program. In the classroom, Hanks was selected to the 2023 ACC All-Academic team.
Finally, Hanks becomes the fourth women's soccer player to win the Marge Crisp Award, with Hanks becoming the first to do so since Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Aubrey Bledsoe received the award in 2014.
Male Newcomer of the Year - Stefan Dostanic
Graduate student Stefan Dostanic provided a major spark for the Wake Forest men's tennis team during his first and only season with the Demon Deacons, helping lead the men's tennis team to their second-ever NCAA National Championship. The Irvine, Calif., native posted a 12-3 singles record and an 18-3 doubles record to help guide the Deacs to an undefeated regular season, which saw Wake Forest claim the ACC Regular Season Championship and the ITA Indoor National Championship. During the NCAA Tournament, Dostanic would go 4-0 in singles matches to earn NCAA Tournament MVP. Dostanic also added ITA Singles All-American and ITA Senior Player of the Year honors to cap off an extraordinary final collegiate season.
Female Newcomer of the Year - Emily Colton
In her lone season with the Demon Deacons, senior Emily Colton played a pivotal role in helping lead the women's soccer team to its second-ever College Cup and first National Championship game appearance in program history, being named to the College Cup All-Tournament team in the process. The Carlsbad, Calif., native finished third on the team with 21 points on seven goals and seven assists, all of which were career-highs. Colton's career year helped her earn multiple honors, including Second Team All-ACC, Third Team All-American, and All-Atlantic Region recognitions.
Arnold Palmer Award (Male Athlete of the Year) - DK Suresh Ekambaram
DK Suresh Ekambaram capped off an incredible junior season in 2024-25 as he helped lead the Wake Forest men's tennis team to its second NCAA National Championship in program history, and the first national title since 2018. Suresh Ekambaram was a key contributor throughout the season which saw the Demon Deacons win not only the NCAA National Championship, but also the ACC Regular Season Championship and the ITA Indoor National Championship during the program's first undefeated season in its history. Overall, Suresh Ekambaram led the Demon Deacons with 20 victories in singles competition, including the National Championship-clinching victory against TCU, while also posting a team-best 28-5 record in doubles matches. Suresh Ekambaram was named an ITA Singles All-American, a two-time ITA Doubles All-American, a member of the NCAA All-Tournament team, and an NCAA All-American following a semifinal run during the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.
Winning the 2025 Arnold Palmer Award caps off a historic season where Suresh Ekambaram's leadership and efforts, along with his teammates, brought about a new standard for the men's tennis program. Off the court, the Chennai, India, native was named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American, while also earning a spot on the ACC Honor Roll for the second time.
Finally, Suresh Ekambaram becomes the fourth men's tennis player to win the Arnold Palmer Award, and the first since Petros Chrysochos won the award in back-to-back years in 2018-19.
- Career Highlights
- Led the Demon Deacons with 20 singles victories and 28 doubles victories during the 2025 season.
- Named an ITA Singles All-American and a two-time ITA Doubles All-American.
- Named an NCAA All-American after advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.
- Recorded wins over three top-75 opponents during his run to the semifinals.
- Earned ACC weekly honors four times during the 2025 spring season:
- After a perfect 3-0 weekend, Suresh Ekambaram and graduate student Stefan Dostanic were named ACC Doubles Team of the Week on January 21st.
- Suresh Ekambaram would earn two more ACC Doubles Team of the Week honors alongside freshman Charlie Robertson, as well as being tabbed as the ACC Player of the Week on April 1st after helping the Deacs to their first perfect season in program history.
- Finished the 2025 season as the sixth-ranked singles player in the country by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)
- Also finished ranked alongside five different doubles partners in the final ITA doubles rankings:
- Suresh/Robertson (No. 8)
- Suresh/Dostanic (No. 9)
- Suresh/Pow (No. 29)
- Suresh/Xilas (No. 39)
- Suresh/Delgado (No. 64)
- Also finished ranked alongside five different doubles partners in the final ITA doubles rankings:
- Named First Team All-ACC Doubles alongside graduate student Holden Koons during the 2024 season
- The duo was ranked as the No. 2 doubles team in the country as they finished with a 25-5 record, including 14 victories over ranked-opponents.
- Five of the 14 ranked victories came against top-15 opponents.
- The duo was ranked as the No. 2 doubles team in the country as they finished with a 25-5 record, including 14 victories over ranked-opponents.
- Earned a spot on the ACC Honor Roll in back-to-back seasons and was named a CSC Academic All-American during his junior year.
- Led the Demon Deacons with 20 singles victories and 28 doubles victories during the 2025 season.
Marge Crisp Award (Female Athlete of the Year) - Caiya Hanks
Junior Caiya Hanks recorded one of the best individual seasons in women's soccer program history during the 2024 season, helping guide the Demon Deacons to their first National Championship game appearance in school history. Hanks recorded a program-record 12 assists during the season, including a program-best five assists during the NCAA Tournament. The Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, native also added a team-high 11 goals and 34 points, with her 34 points ranking third all-time for the most points in a single season.
As a result of her incredible junior campaign, Hanks became just the second Demon Deacon to be named a First Team All-American, while also becoming the first player in program history to be named a MAC Herman Finalist as the best female collegiate soccer player in the country.
Winning the 2025 Marge Crisp Award marks a fitting end for Hanks' Wake Forest career, as her achievements, along with her teammates, have helped usher in a new level of success to the women's soccer program. In the classroom, Hanks was selected to the 2023 ACC All-Academic team.
Finally, Hanks becomes the fourth women's soccer player to win the Marge Crisp Award, with Hanks becoming the first to do so since Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Aubrey Bledsoe received the award in 2014.
- Career Highlights
- Became the first player in program history to be named a finalist for the MAC Herman Award, which is given to the best Division I women's soccer player in the country.
- Earned First Team All-American honors after a career-best season during her junior season, becoming the first Demon Deacon to do so since Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Katie Stengel (2010, 2011).
- Set the program record for the most assists in a single season with 12 assists, including a program-record five assists during the NCAA Tournament.
- Also recorded a career-high with 11 goals and 34 points during her final season with the Deacs.
- Her 34 points is the third most points during a single season in Wake Forest history, trailing only Katie Stengel's 2010 (37 points) and 2011 (46 points) seasons.
- Also recorded a career-high with 11 goals and 34 points during her final season with the Deacs.
- Earned First Team All-ACC and All-Atlantic Region honors during the 2024 season.
- During the 2023 season, Hanks was tabbed for Second Team All-ACC honors after leading the Deacs with six goals and 16 points.
- Also added four assists during her sophomore season.
- Named to the All-ACC Freshman team after recording one goal and three assists across 1,351 minutes of action.
Male Newcomer of the Year - Stefan Dostanic
Graduate student Stefan Dostanic provided a major spark for the Wake Forest men's tennis team during his first and only season with the Demon Deacons, helping lead the men's tennis team to their second-ever NCAA National Championship. The Irvine, Calif., native posted a 12-3 singles record and an 18-3 doubles record to help guide the Deacs to an undefeated regular season, which saw Wake Forest claim the ACC Regular Season Championship and the ITA Indoor National Championship. During the NCAA Tournament, Dostanic would go 4-0 in singles matches to earn NCAA Tournament MVP. Dostanic also added ITA Singles All-American and ITA Senior Player of the Year honors to cap off an extraordinary final collegiate season.
- Season Highlights
- Named the NCAA Tournament MVP and ITA Senior Player of the Year
- Also added ITA Singles All-American honors
- Went a perfect 4-0 in singles matches during the NCAA Tournament
- Posted a 12-3 record in singles matches and an 18-3 doubles record en route to guiding the Demon Deacons to an NCAA National Championship and an ITA Indoor National Championship.
- Finished the 2025 season ranked as the eighth-ranked singles player in the country by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
- Also ranked as the ninth-ranked doubles team alongside DK Suresh Ekambaram, as well as the No. 20 doubles team alongside Charlie Robertson.
- Earned ACC weekly honors during the 2025 season:
- Named ACC Doubles Team of the Week alongside DK Suresh Ekambaram on January 21.
- Earned ACC Player of the Week Honors on February 4 following victories over No. 16 Thomas Paulsell of Georgia (6-2, 6-2) and No. 11 Aidan Kim (6-3, 6-3) of No. 3 Ohio State.
- Named the NCAA Tournament MVP and ITA Senior Player of the Year
Female Newcomer of the Year - Emily Colton
In her lone season with the Demon Deacons, senior Emily Colton played a pivotal role in helping lead the women's soccer team to its second-ever College Cup and first National Championship game appearance in program history, being named to the College Cup All-Tournament team in the process. The Carlsbad, Calif., native finished third on the team with 21 points on seven goals and seven assists, all of which were career-highs. Colton's career year helped her earn multiple honors, including Second Team All-ACC, Third Team All-American, and All-Atlantic Region recognitions.
- Season Highlights
- Earned Second Team All-ACC, Third Team All-American, All-Atlantic Region, and College Cup All-Tournament honors.
- Tied the program record for the most assists in an NCAA Tournament game as she recorded her first career multi-assist game in the opening round against Morehead State (11/15).
- Started all 24 games for the Demon Deacons as she set career-highs in goals (7), assists (7), and points (21).
- Her seven assists on the season is tied for the tenth-most in a single season in Wake Forest history.
- Recorded at least one goal contribution in seven of the Deacs' 10 ACC games.
- Scored the winner against Stanford (9/19) to give the Demon Deacons their first-ever win over a top-ranked team.
- Also named to the 2024 All-Academic Team.
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