2026 Athletics Honors Ceremony Recap
Look through the Intercollegiate Athletics Honors Ceremony Photo Gallery here.
The event opened with a welcome from Brent Baird, Penn State Altoona's Director of Athletics, who expressed his pride in the accomplishments of the individual athletes and teams gathered in Adler to celebrate the past year. After that, Penn State Altoona Chancellor Dr. Ron Darbeau spoke briefly, showing his appreciation for the student-athletes and sharing his vision for investing in Athletics in the coming years.
AMCC Academic All-Conference and Peak Performers
Student-athletes who earned academic recognition from the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference were recognized in the next portion of the ceremony. In the 2025-26 edition of the AMCC's Academic All-Conference team, 116 Penn State Altoona student-athletes earned spots on the list by achieving cumulative GPAs of 3.2 or higher through the Fall 2025 semester. Additionally, 68 Lion student-athletes were tabbed as Peak Performers on the Academic All-Conference list by having cumulative GPAs of 3.5 or higher.
Chi Alpha Sigma Induction
Next, 21 Penn State Altoona student-athletes were inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college student-athlete honor society. To gain membership into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must be a junior or senior academically, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4, and have lettered in a varsity sport. Inductees must also be of good moral character and be recommended for induction by Penn State Altoona Athletics.
Jack Ankeny, Men's Golf
Daniel Batrus, Men's Golf
Caitlin Blessel, Women's Tennis
Hailey Colledge, Women's Cross Country
Kyla Campbell, Women's Volleyball
Lexi Colaianni, Women's Tennis
Joshua Diefenderfer, Men's Volleyball
Julia Emel, Women's Volleyball
Jordan Franks, Women's Cross Country
Morgan Fussell, Women's Volleyball
John Galeano, Baseball
Mason Kargo, Men's Basketball
Ethan McDowell, Men's Soccer
Stephen Phillips, Men's Golf
Carter Piercey, Baseball
Nicky Riscica, Men's Golf
Madison Rusnica, Women's Basketball
Lia Simanski, Women's Volleyball
Evan Summerson, Baseball
Mya Torres, Women's Soccer
Aubrey Walker, Softball
SAAC Recognition
Penn State Altoona Student-Athlete Advisory Committee president Morgan Fussell and Secretary Abigail Morgan were welcomed to the stage to recognize members of the group. SAAC meets on a regular basis and provides feedback to the administration on issues pertaining to student-athletes. The group also coordinates a variety of community service activities during the school year.
AMCC Postseason Awards Recognition
At the end of each sports season, Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference coaches nominate and vote on student-athletes for postseason awards, including all-conference teams, individual accolades, and sportsmanship awards. Student-athletes who were voted for one of the AMCC's postseason awards were invited to stand and be recognized.
Team Recognition Awards
After an intermission for dinner, the ceremony resumed with its team-by-team recognition awards. Each team's head coach was invited up to present three different individual awards:
-Sportsmanship Award: This award recognizes a student-athlete who has shown, through their actions and attitude, the best qualities of sportsmanship.
-Coaches Award: This award recognizes an athlete who best demonstrates the true spirit of Lion Athletics. It is given not only for hard work, sacrifice, and personal improvement, but also for the willingness to understand, learn, and enter a partnership with their coaches and teammates to achieve their full potential.
-Most Valuable Athlete Award: This award honors the student-athlete who has made the biggest impact on the success of their team.
Women's Basketball (Head Coach Halee Hutchinson)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Halle Kuzminski (Warren, PA/Warren)
Coaches Award: freshman Lanie Wilt (Altoona, PA/Altoona)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: senior Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township)
Women's Tennis (Head Coach Mark Sapita)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Abigail Morgan (Orrville, OH/Orrville)
Coaches Award: senior Rachel Stricek (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: junior Lexi Colaianni (Pittsburgh, PA/Kiski Area)
Men's Tennis (Head Coach Megan Stern)
Sportsmanship Award: freshman Stephen Sanders (Johnstown, PA/Bishop McCort)
Coaches Award: senior Emmett Hibbs (Richfield, PA/East Juniata)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: senior Nick Beard (Manns Choice, PA/Bedford)
Women's Volleyball (Head Coach Bob Kasun)
Sportsmanship Award: senior Jadeyn Price (Altoona, PA/Altoona)
Coaches Award: sophomore Ella Hadley (Spring Mills, PA/Penns Valley)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: junior Lia Simanski (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle)
Men's Volleyball (Head Coach Bob Kasun)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Shawn Thomas (Bel Air, MD/C. Milton Wright)
Coaches Award: sophomore Jack McKenna (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: sophomore Caleb Fries (Altoona, PA/Altoona)
Baseball (Head Coach Tim Fabbri)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Kyle Latham (Milton, GA/Cambridge)
Coaches Award: senior Brian Chelli (West Hartford, CT/Hall)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: senior Jonathan Rauch (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin)
Women's Soccer (Head Coach Pam Synder-Etters)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Grace Turner (Stevensville, MD/Kent Island)
Coaches Award: freshman Kira Trexler (Martinsburg, PA/Central)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: junior Mya Torres (Culpeper, VA/Culpeper County)
Men's Soccer (Head Coach Evan Cardoza)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Niko Ferrales (Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ/Northern Highlands Regional)
Coaches Award: freshman Jackson Conner (Selinsgrove, PA/Northumberland Christian)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: sophomore Colin Murphy (State College, PA/State College)
Men's Basketball (Head Coach David McGreal)
Sportsmanship Award: freshman JT Harman (Fredericksburg, VA/St. Michael the Archangel)
Coaches Award: junior Mason Kargo (Portage, PA/Portage)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: senior Kaden Claar (Portage, PA/Portage)
Additionally, Max Voyda (Homer City, PA/Homer-Center) was presented with the Teagan Imler Teammate of the Year award.
Women's Cross Country (Head Coach Joey Zins)
Sportsmanship Award: senior Victoria Scutti (Bellefonte, PA/State College)
Coaches Award: freshman Sharon Lin (Manhattan, NY/Beaver Dam)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: senior Victoria Scutti (Bellefonte, PA/State College)
Men's Cross Country (Head Coach Joey Zins)
Sportsmanship Award: freshman Evan Wagenman (Malvern, PA/Great Valley)
Coaches Award: freshman Ethan Schield (Roaring Brook, PA/North Pocono)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: freshman Brandon Lyle (Altoona, PA/Altoona)
Women's Swimming (Head Coach Brian Hein)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Alexis Buchala (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua)
Coaches Award: sophomore Anna Heller (Chesapeake, VA / Huntingdon)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: freshman Victoria Oldford (Bucks County, PA/Palisades)
Men's Swimming (Head Coach Brian Hein)
Sportsmanship Award: senior Adam Dotts (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin)
Coaches Award: sophomore Ben Dotts (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: senior Caden Traggiai (Saxonburg, PA/Knoch)
Co-Ed Spirit (Head Coach Julie Schmoke)
Sportsmanship Award: Emilee Friedenberger
Coaches Award: Ally Black
Most Outstanding Spirit Leader Award: senior Abigail Quinn
Women's Golf (Head Coach Tom Koehle)
Sportsmanship Award: freshman Clarissa Long (Altoona, PA/Altoona)
Coaches Award: sophomore Alyssa Franks (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: freshman Alexis Peacock (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg)
Men's Golf (Head Coach Tom Koehle)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Nicholas Helsley (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle)
Coaches Award: junior Nicky Riscica (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: senior Peter Nusbaum (Pittsboro, NC/Thales Academy)
Softball (Head Coach Bill Graham)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Lauren Davidson (Clearfield, PA/DuBois Central Catholic)
Coaches Award: senior Karli Storm (Chest Springs, PA/Cambria Heights)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: junior Riley Best (Coalport, PA/Glendale)
Women's Wrestling (Head Coach Brit Simington)
Sportsmanship Award: freshman Richele Reyes (Buckingham, UK/Alconbury)
Coaches Award: freshman Naomi Nachmias (Fair Lawn, NJ/Fair Lawn)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: freshman Gianna Slusser (Raleigh, NC/Garner Magnet)
Men's Wrestling (Head Coach Brit Simington)
Sportsmanship Award: sophomore Andrew Weaver (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone)
Coaches Award: freshman Gonzalo Santana-Hernandez (Short Hills, NJ/Millburn)
Most Valuable Athlete Award: sophomore Andrew Weaver (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone)
Senior Recognition
Next, senior student-athletes from each program were recognized for their participation in Penn State Altoona Athletics throughout their college playing careers.
Baseball
Jonathan Rauch (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin)
Caden Suba (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny)
Zach Ingold (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin)
Brian Chelli (West Hartford, CT/Hall)
Aidan Donovan (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's)
Eric Seick (Mount Laurel, NJ/Camden Catholic)
Cole Strick (Windber, PA/Windber)
Carter Piercey (West Chester, PA/Bayard Rustin)
Michael Labisi (Mountainside, NJ/Governor Livingston)
Sean Wing (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's)
Men's Basketball
Zion Bruce (Kihei, HI/Maryknoll)
Kaden Claar (Portage, PA/Portage)
Men's Golf
Peter Nusbaum (Pittsboro, NC/Thales Academy)
Men's Soccer
Ethan McDowell (Armagh, PA/Johnstown Christian School)
Ethan Firth (York, PA/Central York)
Gabe Deppen (New Cumberland, PA/Trinity)
Frank Kasperowicz (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick)
Aaron Lamy-Ramsden (Trinidad and Tobago/St. Benedict's College)
Awad Eltayeb (Khartoum, Sudan/Altoona)
Men's Swimming
Adam Dotts (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin)
Caden Traggiai (Saxonburg, PA/Knoch)
Men's Tennis
Nick Beard (Manns Choice, PA/Bedford)
Emmett Hibbs (Richfield, PA/East Juniata)
Women's Basketball
Jess Burns (South Fayette, PA/South Fayette)
Jaidyn McCracken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis)
Allyana Stephens (Johnstown, PA/Bishop McCort)
Haley Hicks (Wylie, TX/Wylie East)
Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township)
Women's Cross Country
Hailey Colledge (Everett, PA/Everett)
Victoria Scutti (Bellefonte, PA/State College)
Women's Soccer
Jordan Yaletsko (Philadelphia, PA/Philadelphia Academy Charter)
Hailey Yaletsko (Philadelphia, PA/Philadelphia Academy Charter)
Rachel Rutkowski (Canonsburg, PA/Canon-McMillan)
Softball
Karli Storm (Chest Springs, PA/Cambria Heights)
Spirit
Abigail Quinn
Women's Swimming
Isabella Rhoades (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone)
Téah Sponsler (Halifax, PA/Halifax)
Women's Tennis
Rachel Stricek (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone)
Women's Volleyball
Jadeyn Price (Altoona, PA/Altoona)
Morgan Fussell (Blairsville, GA/Union County)
Jim Ellis Leadership Award
Following the team recognition awards was the presentation of the Jim Ellis Leadership Award. This award is given annually in memory of former men's basketball assistant coach Jim Ellis, who displayed great leadership throughout his time on campus and left a lasting impression on everyone who was fortunate to spend time with him. The recipient of this award must have demonstrated the values of leadership, caring, civility, honesty, integrity, and responsibility.
The 2025-26 Jim Ellis Leadership Award recipient was Abigail Morgan (Orrville, OH/Orrville) of the women's tennis team. Morgan has developed into a leader on the women's tennis team, helping build a sense of community among the players while displaying sportsmanship on the court. She serves as an ambassador for the women's tennis team and Penn State Altoona, connecting with recruits when visiting campus. Morgan is a part of SAAC's Advisory Board, an RA in the Spruce dorm, and a campus tour guide.
C. David Kimmel Award
The C. David Kimmel honors Mr. Kimmel, a longtime employee and supporter of Penn State Altoona. In 2019, Kimmel established the C. David Kimmel Intercollegiate Athletics Enhancement at Penn State Altoona to support the University's Division III athletics teams and student-athletes.
The recipient of this award embodies the spirit of our most passionate benefactor and supporter. The recipient bleeds Blue and White, along with having equal parts athletic excellence and achievement, strong academic performance, and a commitment to community service. The recipient of the C. David Kimmel Award is Caden Traggiai (Saxonburg, PA/Knoch).
In the pool, Traggiai has been one of the top swimmers in Lions history, earning AMCC and SUNYAC All-Conference honors throughout his career and owning multiple team records. He is also a team captain who helps spearhead team bonding efforts while creating a supportive environment. In the classroom, Traggiai has maintained a strong GPA as a Human Development and Family Studies major, and he is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma and the Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement. Additionally, Traggiai has been involved in numerous volunteer projects through SAAC and is a supporter of Altoona Benefiting THON.
Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards
The final honors of the evening were the Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards. This award is given to one female athlete and one male athlete who have demonstrated excellence, both on the playing field and in the classroom.
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: junior Lia Simanski (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle), women's volleyball
This season, Simanski was a first-team All-AMCC selection and was a team captain for the Lions, helping lead her team to a second-place finish in the AMCC regular season. Simanski is a business major with a concentration in management and marketing and business analytics, with a minor in entrepreneurship. She has earned academic awards including being named to the Dean's List, the AMCC Academic All-Conference team, and the CSC Academic All-District team. Among her community service efforts, Simanski devotes countless hours to the Sheetz Fellows program, is a Dig Pink ambassador for the women's volleyball team, and is a member of SAAC.
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year: junior Daniel Batrus (Altoona, PA/Altoona), men's golf
Batrus was a third-team All-AMCC selection this past season and finished the fall season among the top 15 scoring averages in the conference. A Business major, Batrus has maintained a high GPA to earn AMCC Peak Performer honors, GCAA All-American Scholar recognition, and CSC Academic All-District status. He has also been a reliable teammate and leader for his fellow golfers. Batrus has completed numerous community service hours, both on his own and as a member of the Sheetz Fellows program.
Closing Remarks
Baird closed the evening by thanking all who attended, as well as the generous partners who helped make the awards ceremony possible, and he wished good luck to the student-athletes as they embarked on finals week.