UIS Athletics, in partnership with Jimmy John's at 219 S. 6th St. in Springfield, recognized eight student-athletes and one team during the 2023-24 school year with the Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month awards and the Jimmy John's Academic Team of the Year honor.
Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month
October | Sierra Cenek
Sierra Cenek of the UIS women's soccer team was the October 2023 Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month. The starting forward scored six goals, including a hat trick against William Jewell, and became the first UIS women's soccer player to be named GLVC Offensive Player of the Week and United Soccer Coaches College Player of the Week.
November | Cort Ross
Cross country runner Cort Ross was honored as the November 2023 Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month after finishing third at the NCAA DII Midwest Regional and qualifying for the national championship. Ross finished 18th at the NCAA DII Men's Cross Country Championships and set historical best finishes at both the Midwest Regional and National Championship.
December | Jacob Hanna
Jacob Hanna earned the December 2023 Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month award. He averaged 17.5 points, 6 rebounds, 1.67 steals, and 2.5 assists per game, shooting over 60% from the field. He ranked fourth in the GLVC in assists, fifth in rebounding, and ninth in field goal percentage.
January | Jessenia Lawson
Jessenia Lawson was the first Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month in 2024, averaging 19.5 points and 9.33 rebounds across six games in the month of January. She recorded two double-doubles, including a 28-point, 14-rebound performance against Drury, leading the GLVC in steals and ranking in the top ten for scoring and field goal percentage.
February | Brant Vanaman
Brant Vanaman of the UIS baseball team was February's Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month. Vanaman hit .400 with 15 runs and 19 RBI, including hitting for the cycle in the team's home opener. He was named GLVC Player of the Week following a standout series against Davenport.
March | Ella Brinkley
Ella Brinkley of the UIS softball team was March's Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month. Brinkley batted .434 with 24 runs, 7 RBI, and nine extra-base hits. She ranked in the top ten in the GLVC for multiple categories, including batting average and slugging percentage.
April | Elaine Grant Elaine
Elaine Grant was April's Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month. The golfer had three top-10 finishes during the month, including third place at the GLVC Championships, earning a spot on the GLVC First Team. Grant led the UIS women's golf team as they finished sixth at the GLVC Championships and earned an at-large bid for the East Regional.
May | Cort Ross
Cort Ross was selected as the final Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month for the 2023-24 school year based on his performances at the GLVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Ross finished third in the men's 5,000 meter run and seventh in the 1,500 meter run.
Jimmy John's Academic Team of the Year
In July, the UIS women's tennis team was named Jimmy John's Academic Team of the Year, posting the highest cumulative grade point average among all Great Lakes Valley Conference athletic teams for the 2023-24 year with a remarkable 3.97 GPA. Each team member also earned Academic All-GLVC honors.
Looking Forward
UIS Athletics, in partnership with Jimmy John's at 219 S. 6th St. in Springfield, is excited to announce the return of the Jimmy John's Monthly Awards for the 2024-25 school year. We will continue to recognize outstanding student-athletes each month for their exceptional athletic performance, dedication, and sportsmanship. UIS student-athletes who compete in regular season or postseason competition during the completed month will be considered for this honor, with winners selected by committee. Honorees from the 2024-25 school year will be considered for UIS Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards at the end of the year.