O Show Nominees: Freshman of the Year

On Tuesday, May 27, the UO athletic department will stage the annual O Show, a traditional end-of-year celebration of the accomplishments of Oregon student-athletes both in athletics and academics.

Nominations for the various awards to be handed out Tuesday were made through the coaching staffs and academic advisors of all teams, with the award winners selected through a vote of student-athletes and department staff. There are also awards for coaches, faculty and support staff who go above and beyond to provide an exceptional student-athlete experience.

Due to the timing of the show, accomplishments from the beginning of May 2024 through the end of April 2025 are considered for the honors.

In the days leading up to the show, we'll preview some of the awards to be handed out Tuesday.

Today's category: Freshman of the Year.
And the nominees are …

Simeon Birnbaum, cross country/track and field

Was fourth in the Big Ten cross country championships in the fall before placing eighth at the NCAA West Region meet. After finishing 16th in the mile at the NCAA Indoor Championship meet, participated on Oregon's 4x800 and distance-medley relay teams at the Penn Relays in April.

Clotine Chase, soccer

Product of Eugene's Marist High started 17 matches as a freshman for the Ducks last fall. The center defender contributed to shutouts against Seattle, Portland State, Sacramento State and Michigan State, helping the Ducks play to a scoreless draw with the fifth-ranked Spartans. Also had two shots against Seattle, finishing the season with eight.

Ali Ince, track and field

Posted top-25 finishes at the Big Ten and NCAA West Region cross country meets, before running with the Oregon women at the NCAA Championships. Posted top-five finishes in the mile at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener and Razorback Invitational indoor meets on the track, then was seventh at the Big Ten Indoor Championships.

Angelica Martin, acrobatics and tumbling

Base for the acrobatics and tumbling team contributed to a skill that consistently wow'd crowds and earned honors from the NCATA. Teamed with Cassidy Cu, Martin would press Cu above her head in the five-element acro event — while Cu was doing a handstand — and then drop down into the splits. The duo scored a 9.90 with the skill in Oregon's regular-season finale against Baylor.

Rylee McCoy, softball

First baseman tied the UO single-season record of 19 home runs with a blast against Stanford as the Ducks swept two games from the Cardinal on May 18 to win their NCAA Regional. Though McCoy was injured in the second game of the day, she returned Saturday in Super Regionals after being named Thursday as one of three finalists for NFCA Freshman of the Year.

Suvichaya Vinijchaitham, women's golf

Posted an individual tournament win for the Oregon women at the Alice & John Wallace Classic early in the spring, shooting a 12-under 201 for the weekend. Only finished over par in one spring event during the time period for O Show consideration, and had a three-round total of 1 under to help the Ducks win the Big Ten Championship.

University of Oregon Athletics

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