The student-athletes with the highest grade point averages on each of Florida State's teams, along with the one men's and one women's team with the highest team GPA, were recognized during the Seminoles' victory over the Hokies.

"The outstanding academic performance of these student-athletes is not only inspiring and impressive, but also speaks to the exceptional level of commitment each of them exhibits on a daily basis," said Michael Alford, Vice President and Director of Athletics at FSU. "These are impressive young people that are excellent representatives of Seminole Athletics and Florida State University. Their achievements are also the byproduct of the vigilant hard work of our Student Athlete Academic Service Department, the priority our coaches and administration places on academic achievement, and the overall support of our university."

The men's cross country team and the women's tennis team earned the Golden Torch for the highest team cumulative GPA's. It marked the second consecutive year and fourth time in the last six seasons the men's team award was won by the cross country team. The women's tennis team was celebrated for the second time since 2019 and the sixth time since 2012.

"I'm really proud of each of the women on our team and how unbelievably well they are able to balance the demands of sport and academics simultaneously.," said Women's Tennis Coach Jen Hyde. "What they do (and do well) is not easy, given the rigors of college athletics, travel, training, and recovery. They continue to lead the way every year in academic achievements right alongside their on-court successes. We have so many talented student-athletes within our sports programs and athletic department. I am just so very proud at how our women's tennis players are able to stand out in this way each year."

An incredible total of 25 of the 34 student-athletes honored were lauded for perfect 4.0 grade point averages during the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters. The women's swimming and diving team and the national semifinalist beach volleyball team had six team members each earned perfect 4.0 marks.

"It's extremely rewarding to work and support student-athletes, who value elite level academic success, while competing for championships on the field," said Miguel Negron, Associate Athletics Director for the SAAS. "In what was a record-breaking year in the classroom for the athletic department, our golden torch award winners exemplify the highest levels of academic achievement throughout the academic year and continue to set the standard for academic success at Florida State. These awards are also a testament to the support of our coaches and administration, as well as our Advising and Educational services staffs within SAAS that continue to provide industry leading services and support for our student-athlete's academic success."

Among the exceptional student-athletes honored were Preston Daniel of the nationally ranked football team (4.0, finance), Academic All-American Paige Kalkhoff of the beach volleyball team (4.0,  public health), Beata Olsen of the nationally ranked soccer team (4.0, environment and society), and Madison Balk of the national runner-up softball team (4.0, biological science). It marked the second time Daniel has earned the Golden Torch Award for football; he was also presented with the award in 2021.

The Golden Torch Award ceremony has been held each year since 1991.

2023 Golden Torch Winners
Men's Team GPA Winner: Men's Cross Country
Women's Team GPA Winner: Women's Tennis
Jaime Ferrer, Baseball, 3.786, Sport Management
Jaylan Gainey, Men's Basketball, 3.906, Athletic Coaching (Master's)
Matthew Newland, Men's Cross Country, 3.844, Sport Management
Preston Daniel, Football, 4.00, Finance
Frederik Kjettrup, Men's Golf, 3.475, Sport Management
Tazman Abramowicz, Men's Swimming and Diving, 4.00, Interdisciplinary Social Science
Tommaso Baravelli, Men's Swimming and Diving, 4.00, Mechanical Engineering
Jesco Helling, Men's Swimming and Diving, 4.00, Chemical Engineering
James Connel, Men's tennis, 3.880, Psychology,
Ryan Driscoll, Men's Track and Field, 3.925, Computer Engineering
Alex Hilton, Beach Volleyball, 4.00, Hospitality management
Paige Kalkhoff, Beach Volleyball, 4.00, Public Health
Erin Murphy, Beach Volleyball, 4.00, Computer Engineering
Jordan Polo, Beach Volleyball, 4.00, Information Architecture
Carra Sassack, Beach Volleyball, 4.00, Sport Management
Beata Olsson, Soccer, 4.00, Environment and Society
Madison Balk, Softball, 4.00, Biological Science
Audrey Koenig, Volleyball, 4.00, Biological Science
Makayla Timpson, Women's Basketball, 3.750, Psychology
Riley Bahr, Women's Cross Country, 4.00, Exercise Physiology
Kathryn Hibbard, Women's Cross Country, 4.00, Exercise Physiology
Danielle Thompson, Women's Cross Country, 4.00, Global Citizenship (certificate)
Caitlin Wilkey, Women's Cross Country, 4.00 Sport Management
Madison Hewlett, Women's Golf, 3.970, Finance
Kayleigh Clark, Women's Swimming and Diving, 4.00, Psychology
Sydney Cole, Women's Swimming and Diving, 4.00, English
Jenny Marie Halden, Women's Swimming and Diving, 4.00, Industrial Engineering
Madeleine McDonald, Women's Swimming and Diving, 4.00, Biological Science
Anna Daniela Metzler, Women's Swimming and Diving, 4.00, Biological Science
Skylar Ruffner, Women's Swimming and Diving, 4.00, Behavioral Neuroscience
Vic Allen, Women's Tennis, 3.964, Sport Management
Catherine Fleming, Women's Track and Field, 4.00, Clinical Professions
Makiya Spencer, Women's Track and Field, 4.00, Psychology
Sara Zabarino, Women's Track and Field, 4.00,Food and Nutrition Science