Martin Espernberger has been named the 2025-26 SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year, receiving a $20,000 scholarship. He is the first male swimmer from Tennessee to win this award.
Key points
Martin Espernberger named SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year
He receives a $20,000 post-graduate scholarship
First male swimmer from Tennessee to win the award
Eighth Tennessee student-athlete recognized for this honor
Last winner from Tennessee was Parker Henry in 2018
Mentioned in this story
Southeastern Conference
Martin EspernbergerTennessee Volunteers
Martin Espernberger named SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year
He was selected by a committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives from SEC universities and will receive a $20,000 post-graduate scholarship.
Espernberger is the first Tennessee male swimmer and the third swimming and diving athlete to win the award, joining Lauryn McCalley (2005) and Christine Magnuson (2009). He is also the eighth Tennessee student-athlete to be recognized for the award. Football player Parker Henry was Tennessee's last winner of the award in 2018.
"Being selected for the McWhorter Award means a great deal to me," Espernberger said. "It represents the balance of discipline across academics and athletics, and it motivates me to continue pursuing graduate work in power systems and power electronics with the goal of contributing to practical energy solutions."
Espernberger will graduate with a degree in electrical engineering in May with a 3.86 GPA.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Johnathan Burke (32) makes a save against D.C. United during a shootout during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
Q&A
Who is Martin Espernberger and why is he notable?
Martin Espernberger is a Tennessee men's swimmer recognized as the 2025-26 SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year for his academic and athletic achievements.
What does the SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award entail?
The SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award includes a $20,000 post-graduate scholarship for outstanding student-athletes.
How many Tennessee athletes have won the SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award?
Martin Espernberger is the eighth Tennessee student-athlete to receive the SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.
When was the last time a Tennessee athlete won the SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award?
The last Tennessee athlete to win the SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award was football player Parker Henry in 2018.
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April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Kyle Linhares (11) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal against D.C. United in a shootout during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Kyle Linhares (11) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against D.C. United in a shootout during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United midfielder Hosei Kijima (77) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Braudilio Rodrigues (72) in the first half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Conner Antley (12) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Babacar Diene (7) in the first half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United midfielder Hosei Kijima (77) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Chris Tiao (2) in the first half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Braudilio Rodrigues (72) battles for the ball with D.C. United defender Conner Antley (12) and United defender Nikola Markovic (27) in the first half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Babacar Diene (7) celebrates after scoring a goal against D.C. United in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Nikola Markovic (27) kicks the ball to score a goal past One Knoxville SC Babacar Diene (7) in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Eli Conway (19) battles for the ball with D.C. United defender Keisuke Kurokawa (6) in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Kye Rowles (15) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Babacar Diene (7) in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Matti Peltola (4) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against One Knoxville SC in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Matti Peltola (4) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against One Knoxville SC in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United midfielder Gabriel Pirani (10) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Abel Caputo (6) in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Keisuke Kurokawa (6) controls the ball against One Knoxville SC in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
1 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Johnathan Burke (32) makes a save against D.C. United during a shootout during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
1 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Johnathan Burke (32) makes a save against D.C. United during a shootout during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
2 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Kyle Linhares (11) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal against D.C. United in a shootout during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
3 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Kyle Linhares (11) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against D.C. United in a shootout during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
4 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United midfielder Hosei Kijima (77) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Braudilio Rodrigues (72) in the first half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
5 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Conner Antley (12) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Babacar Diene (7) in the first half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
6 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United midfielder Hosei Kijima (77) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Chris Tiao (2) in the first half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
7 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Braudilio Rodrigues (72) battles for the ball with D.C. United defender Conner Antley (12) and United defender Nikola Markovic (27) in the first half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
8 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Babacar Diene (7) celebrates after scoring a goal against D.C. United in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
9 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Nikola Markovic (27) kicks the ball to score a goal past One Knoxville SC Babacar Diene (7) in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
10 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; One Knoxville SC Eli Conway (19) battles for the ball with D.C. United defender Keisuke Kurokawa (6) in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
11 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Kye Rowles (15) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Babacar Diene (7) in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
12 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Matti Peltola (4) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against One Knoxville SC in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
13 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Matti Peltola (4) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against One Knoxville SC in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
14 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United midfielder Gabriel Pirani (10) battles for the ball with One Knoxville SC Abel Caputo (6) in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
15 / 15
PHOTOS: One Knoxville SC defeats D.C. United in 2026 U.S. Open Cup
April 15, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; D.C. United defender Keisuke Kurokawa (6) controls the ball against One Knoxville SC in the second half during the US Open Cup at Audi Field.
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