2020 HOGSPYs: Day 1 Recap

The first accolades of the 2020 HOGSPY Awards have been revealed, kicking off the week long virtual event highlighting the athletic achievements of Arkansas’ student-athletes.

The three awards were announced via Arkansas’ social media platforms and on ArkansasRazorbacks.com. The awards announced on Monday included:

Female Rookie of the Year – This award recognizes a standout rookie who demonstrated outstanding athletic performance and academic achievement. A rookie is defined as any freshman student-athlete in their first year of competition at the University of Arkansas.

Male Rookie of the Year – This award recognizes a standout rookie who demonstrated outstanding athletic performance and academic achievement. A rookie is defined as any freshman student-athlete in their first year of competition at the University of Arkansas.

Standing Ovation – This award recognizes a walk-on student-athlete, who contributed to the athletic success of his/her team, exemplified academic excellence, and displayed character in and out of competition.

The winner of the female rookie of the year was soccer forward Anna Podojil. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Podojil led all freshmen nationally in total points (35) and was tied for second among rookies with 14 goals scored, also leading the Razorbacks in both categories. She recorded a hat track against Mississippi State on Oct. 13 and scored a pair of goals in Arkansas’ first back-to-back wins over ranked teams in program history (No. 22 Baylor and No. 1 North Carolina). Her performance in 2019 helped her and teammate Haley VanFossen become the first United Soccer Coaches All-Americans in program history. Other finalists for the female rookie of the year were: Makayla Daniels (Basketball), Daszay Freeman (Track & Field), Jillian Gillen (Volleyball) and Kajal Mistry (Golf).

The male rookie of the year award went to baseball infielder Robert Moore. From Leawood, Kansas, Moore reclassified in December 2019 and enrolled at the midyear as a 17-year-old and inserted into the starting lineup at second base for the Hogs. He started all 16 games for the Razorbacks, putting together a .317 clip at the plate with 20 hits, 17 RBIs, 10 runs and two homers, making him one of three Arkansas players with 20 or more hits in 2020. His wicked glove flip against Gonzaga earned him a spot on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays and concluded a week that earned him SEC Co-Player of the Week and Perfect Game National Player of the Week. Other finalists for the male rookie of the year were: Treylon Burks (Football), Jeremy Farr (Track & Field) and Myles Richter (Cross Country).

The standing ovation award landed in the hands of football center Ty Clary, who’s role with the ball in his hands was vital to the production of the Arkansas offense. Clary, a junior from Fayetteville, started all 12 games for the Razorbacks in 2019, appearing in 767 total plays, the most of any Arkansas player. He played every offensive snap in five of the first six games of the season, as well as in the season finale against Missouri. Clary did not allow a sack in 443 pass protection plays, with only two quarterback hits, as he blocked for an offense that scored 2 times and racked up 4,081 total yards. Other finalists for the standing ovation award were: Matt Goodheart (Baseball) and Myles Richter (Men’s Cross Country).

Continue to follow along with the 2020 HOGSPY Awards on Arkansas’ various social media platforms and ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

2020 HOGSPY Award Schedule

Tuesday, April 28

• Comeback Student-Athlete of the Year – A standout student-athlete who demonstrated outstanding resilience to overcome a significant injury, personal challenge, or hardship in order to make a profound contribution during athletic competition.
• Heart of the Hog – A student-athlete who is considered the heart of the team constantly displaying a passion for Razorback Athletics. Their outstanding leadership positively influences their teammates in and out of competition.
• Top Play of the Year – This award recognizes an impressive and memorable moment during competition.

Wednesday, April 29

• Female Student-Athlete of the Year – This award recognizes a standout sophomore, junior, or senior student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic achievement on the field of play. Must be a student-athlete who maintains a GPA of 2.5 of above.
• Male Student-Athlete of the Year – This award recognizes a standout sophomore, junior, or senior student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic achievement on the field of play. Must be a student-athlete who maintains a GPA of 2.5 of above.

Thursday, April 30

• Women’s Team of the Year – This award recognizes one male and female team who had had an impressive season, displayed academic excellence and overall team success.
• Men’s Team of the Year – This award recognizes one male and female team who had had an impressive season, displayed academic excellence and overall team success.

Friday, May 1

• Director of Athletics Champion and Razorback For Life – Presented to the senior class student-athlete who throughout their career as a Razorback student-athlete has most exemplified the characteristics of being a champion and Razorback for life.  Defined as one who is exceptionally well-rounded; including being a dependable and supportive teammate and member of our department of athletics family, one who has consistently been engaged in the community, who demonstrates school spirit and one who has experienced success, as defined by their abilities, both academically and athletically.