Champaign, Ill. - The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) announced Wednesday its 2014-15 Newcomers of the Year. National champion wrestler Isaiah Martinez (Lemoore, California) and volleyball standoutBrandi Donnelly (Williamsville, Illinois) were named winners of the annual award presented to the top male and female newcomers competing in their first season with the Fighting Illini.
Martinez had a perfect season in his debut with the Orange and Blue, posting a 35-0 record en route to winning the NCAA title at 157 pounds. He became the first freshman in 16 seasons to go undefeated while winning a national championship. Martinez won the NCAA award for most technical falls and was named Freshman of the Year by Intermat Wrestling. He also earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year accolades after winning a conference title.
Martinez is the fourth wrestler to garner Fighting Illini Newcomer of the Year honors and first since Alex Tirapelle in 2003.
Donnnelly made an immediate impact for the Illini, starting every match at the libero position while helping the team to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. She recorded 575 digs, the second-highest single-season total in school history and ranking second nationally among freshmen during the 2014 season. Donnelly was selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, named MVP of the Creighton Classic, and was a three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week pick.
Donnelly becomes the fourth volleyball player to win Newcomer of the Year and first since Michelle Bartsch in 2009.
Martinez and Donnelly join an elite club of past Newcomer of the Year winners, including Illini greats Deon Thomas (basketball, 1991), Kirsten Gleis (volleyball, 1993), Simeon Rice (football, 1993), Adam Tirapelle (wrestling, 1998), Amer Delic (tennis, 2001), Cassie Hunt (track and cross country, 2004), Kevin Anderson (tennis, 2005), Angela Bizzarri (track and cross country, 2007), Arrelious Benn (football, 2008), Andrew Riley (track, 2009), Vanessa DiBernardo (soccer, 2011) C.J. Maestas (gymnastics, 2012), last year's winners Chandler Eggleston (gymanstics) and Kandie Bloch-Jones (track & field), and many others.
