74 Student-Athletes Earn Degrees from Miami
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Seventy-four student-athletes will earn degrees from the University of Miami, where official Spring 2021 commencement exercises are being held at Hard Rock Stadium for both graduate degrees (Thursday) and undergraduate degrees (Friday).
“Today is a memorable moment for many members of our U Family as they officially earn a degree from the University of Miami,” Director of Athletics Blake James said. “I am so proud of these student-athletes, especially considering what they have had to navigate in the classroom and competition throughout the pandemic. I am excited they have the opportunity to celebrate at Hard Rock Stadium and I can’t wait to see where their life’s journey takes them from here.”
Thirteen of UM’s athletic programs were represented during Spring 2021 commencement, led by the football team with 13 graduates, including striker Gilbert Frierson, punter Lou Hedley, cornerback DJ Ivey, offensive lineman DJ Scaife and wide receiver Dee Wiggins.
The list also includes reigning NCAA women’s tennis singles champion Estela Perez Somarriba; two-time ACC Indoor Field MVP Debbie Agjabe from track and field; 2020 Dinah Shore Trophy winner Renate Grimstad from golf; All-ACC selection Elizaveta Lukianova from volleyball; and Preseason All-America first baseman Alex Toral from baseball.
In addition, three former student-athletes also earned degrees: Venzell Boulware (football), Andrew Cabezas (baseball), and Jack Spicer (football).
Spring 2021 Student-Athlete Graduates
Baseball
Spencer Bodanza, Christian Del Castillo*, Daniel Federman, Raymond Gil, Alex Toral, Ben Wanger
Men’s Basketball
Nysier Brooks, Deng Gak, Willie Herenton, Chris Lykes, Kameron McGusty, Rodney Miller*, Elijah Olaniyi, Sam Waardenburg*
Women’s Basketball
Endia Banks, Destiny Harden
Football
Turner Davidson, Marshall Few, Gilbert Frierson, Lou Hedley, Zalontae Hillery, DJ Ivey, Elias Lugo-Fagundo, Tate Martell, Michael Parrott*, N’Kosi Perry, DJ Scaife, Dee Wiggins, De’Andre Wilder
Golf
Macarena Aguilera, Kristyna Frydlova, Renate Grimstad*
Rowing
Savannah Alario, Laura Alcorn, Halle Alitz*, Erika Arvelo, Anna Baker, Loretta Brueckner*, Rebecca Camplin, Marilou Chardin, Meredith Costello, Kathleen Hanson, Mackenzie Holmgren, Sabina Lewis, Madeline Parente, Shelly Sclater, Victoria Stewart*, Demetra Vlahos*
Soccer
Tia Dupont, Michelle Giamportone
Swimming & Diving
Sydney Knapp*, Carmen San Nicholas, Chandler Sensibaugh, Alaina Skellet
Men’s Tennis
Pablo Aycart, Benjamin Hannestad*, Bojan Janulowski, Stephen Madonia, Stefan Milicevic*, Adria Soriano Barrera
Women’s Tennis
Estela Perez-Somarriba*
Men’s Track & Field
Asa Burke*, Raheem Chambers, Xavier Coakley*, Isaiah Holmes*
Women’s Track & Field
Debbie Agjabe, Rosalba Cabrera*, Darlene Charles*, Kayla Johnson, Emma Langlois, Zakiya Rashid*, Alfreda Steele*
Volleyball
Janet Kalaniuvalu, Elizaveta Lukianova*
Former Student-Athletes
Venzell Bouldware* (football), Andrew Cabezas (baseball), Jack Spicer* (football)
*Denotes Master’s degree
