Fullerton, CA - On Thursday morning the Hope International Athletics department presented awards during the Honors Convocation Ceremony in the Grana Chapel. Awards were then given out by Athletic Director
Chris Morrison for Scholar Athlete, Champion of Character and Athlete of the Year. The honorees were:
Champions of Character Women (Emma Timmermans)
A senior on the Hope International women's cross country team Emma Timmermans is a leader on and off the track while showcasing the NAIA Champions of Character values. On the track she displays great sportsmanship and respect towards her opponents as the top runner on the team becoming the first cross country runner in Royals history to earn All-American honors. A four time All-GSAC recipient Timmermans also shows great responsibility as a leader on campus serving as Lifegroup Bible Study Leader, a tutor, a Kinesiology Club participant and a Kinesiology TA. Timmermans also demonstrates great servant leadership in her community and church volunteering for a kids track and field club and also volunteering under Love Fullerton with the HIU xc/track team in 2023 and 2024 where they sewed blankets for unprivileged kids. She also attends church at Calvary Central OC where she also performs service activities including volunteering at an orphanage in Mexico.
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Champions of Character Men (Luis Diaz)
A senior on the Hope International men's cross country team Luis Diaz is a leader on and off the track while showcasing the NAIA Champions of Character values. Diaz demonstrates sportsmanship and integrity on the track as one of the top runners on the team and earned All-GSAC honors while leading the men's track and field 4x800m relay team to a school record last season. Diaz showcases great responsibility by helping out as a student worker for HIU Athletics where he assists baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball and soccer with game management duties. Diaz also displays strong servant leadership by volunteering for an after-school program called OC United and also attends church at St. John Newman in Irvine where he goes on retreats to connect more with people and grow closer in his faith.
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Scholar Athlete women (Emma McCraw)
A junior infielder on the women's softball team Emma McCraw has played all three years for the Royals achieving a 4.0 in each semester. McCraw is a two time GSAC and NAIA scholar athlete and also leads the team on the field earning All GSAC honors three times while leading the team with a .401 batting average to go with two home runs and 35 RBIs as they captured their fourth GSAC Regular Season Championship.
On Emma's academic success Head Coach Alex Macarenas says, "Emma has always been a tremendous student in the classroom. She takes care of business on and off the field. She's a student athlete that we never have to worry about when it comes to excelling in the classroom."
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Scholar Athlete Men (Sebastian Castro)
A senior guard on the men's basketball team Sebastian Castro has played three years for the Royals achieving a 4.0 in his final year. Castro is a three time GSAC and NAIA Scholar Athlete and helped lead his team back to the NAIA Tournament for the fourth season in a row.
On Sebastian's academic success, Head Coach Bill Czech says, "Sebastian is the most disciplined, intelligent and determined young man I have ever coached. His attention to detail in all areas of his life are truly inspiring."
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Athlete of the Year Men (Trey Seeley)
A senior right handed pitcher on the baseball team Trey Seeley finished the regular season earning GSAC Pitcher of the Year while leading the NAIA with a 1.29 ERA to go with a 10-0 record and a team leading 91 strikeouts. A two time GSAC Pitcher of the Week and one time NAIA Pitcher of the Week Seeley threw the Royals first ever 9 inning no hitter against OUAZ and finished first in the GSAC in ERA, wins, runs allowed (15), earned runs allowed (10) and opposing batting average holding hitters to just .151. Seeley also helped lead the Royals to their fifth GSAC Regular Season Championship with a program best 43-8 record and third GSAC Tournament Championship.
On Trey's success Head Coach Larry Mahoney says, "Trey is one of the most competitive pitchers we have ever had in this program. His dedication, competitiveness, and hard work will leave a lasting impact on this university. Trey is a joy to be around and brings a great attitude to the field every day and it has been a pleasure to watch him grow these last two years. His drive will serve him to leave a great impact in the community. Trey's faith has always been the forefront of his life, and he will continue to influence those that he encounters. He is an exceptional young man, and we are excited to see where life takes him after his HIU career."
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Athlete of the Year Women (Christiane Sundstrom)
A graduate student forward on the women's soccer team Christiane Sundstrom earned NAIA All-America Third Team Honors for the second time in her final season after leading the Royals to a 14-4-2 record and a fourth straight appearance in the NAIA Opening Round. The GSAC Player of the Year led the GSAC and set a new single-season Royals record for goals with 21 and assists with 13 as she finished the season with 55 points. Her record-setting season also saw her set new Royals career records with 40 goals and 23 assists in two seasons. Sundstrom becomes the first women's soccer player to earn All-America honors twice in a career and also received GSAC Player of the Week honors four times.
On Christiane's success Head Coach Scott Dement says, "Christiane has had a truly legendary career at HIU, breaking every offensive record in program history and earning back-to-back Conference Player of the Year honors. But what stands out even more is the way she carried herself every day, with passion, humility, and an unshakable commitment to her teammates. Coaching her has been one of the greatest honors of my career, and the impact she's made on this program, and on me, will never be forgotten."
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