Male Athlete of the Year
Devin Story - He finished top 5 in the country (D2) in scoring points per game. He scored 40 points 4 separate times, 39 points 2 times, and scored 38 points 1 time. He also had 15 assists in a single game. Season averages: 24 points per game, leads team in assists, points, steals, and 2nd in rebounds. Won Conference Carolinas player of the week 3 separate times. Was voted first team all-Conference.
Oskaras Grigonis - Men's Triathlon & Swimming SECTC Conference Champion (Sprint distance Tri) 23rd place finish out of 633 in the 2026 National Championships (Olympic distance race) set school record In swimming, a 3x finalist Conference Carolinas Championships (200 IM, 100 breast, 200 breast)
Antavious Lawton - Men's Track and Field at the Indoor Track and Field Championship, placed 2nd in the 400m (48.25 sec) and was part of the 4x400m relay team (3:23.26 sec) that broke the school record. For outdoor Track and Field, he is currently seeded as the fastest 400m runner at 47.98 seconds and 9th in the 200m (21.61 sec).
Aidan Feeney – All stats are as of 4/1/26 before the end of season - Feeney led the team with 309 total kills. He averaged 3.86 kills/set, which is ranked 10th in all of D1/D2 men’s volleyball and 1st in the conference. Feeney hit .230 in the season. He totaled 115 digs which was 1.44 digs/set. Feeney is currently ranked 13th in the nation D1/D2 MVB for points per set. He also tallied 34 blocks in the season. He had 16 games with 10+ kills including a career high with 7 of those games accumulated over 20 kills. He is on track to break 1,000 career points and would be only the 3rd Lion’s Men’s Volleyball player to do so in program history. Points as of 4/1/26 – 927. 2-time CC Player of the week, he has seven matches where he got 20+ kills, 12th in the nation (div 1) in points/set, 10th in the nation (div 1) for kills/set.
Lukas Lautrup-Nissen. Season isn’t finished but on pace for a program record scoring average. Currently top 40 in DII out of 2,000 players.
Henrique Castro 11-2 in singles, 8-2 in doubles. Ranked as high as top 40 in doubles Nationally with Murilo Martins
Aidan Feather - the junior is currently batting .387 on the season, which leads the team, with 4 homeruns, 44 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .488.
Winner:
Devin Story (MBB)
Female Athlete of the Year
Karissa Turnwall became a 3x All-American after placing 4th at the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling National Championship. She completed an undefeated regular season, with 90% of her wins coming by bonus points, including victories over the No. 3, No. 6, and No. 7 ranked wrestlers in the country. Turnwall also captured a NCAA Regional Championship title and earned All-American honors for the third time at 117 lbs.
Alba Caliz – achieved highest ranking in Emmanuel Women’s Golf history (#94 in the country)
Catalina Acacio – earned All-American Status in the 200 Breaststroke at NCAA DII Nationals with an 8th place finish.
Women’s Bowling - Kaitlin Dekowski, named Conference Female Player of the year and was 1st Team All-Conference. Lead the team in Average and Average Differential and made 5 All Tournament Teams with 1 tournament MVP. Was also named USBC Collegiate Academic All American
Isabell Schiller - Women's Swimming Undefeated Dual Meet season record of 38 – 0 Broke 10 school records 6x Conference Carolinas Champion (3 individual, 3 relays) 2x NCAA National Championships finalist (200 IM, 200 Breast).
Ellie Jackson – Ellie led the team with 449 total kills on the season, ranking her 19th in the Nation in total kills. She averaged 3.74 kills/set, which was 2nd Conference and was ranked 47th in D2 volleyball. She hit .256 on the season. Ellie tallied 37 service aces. Ellie also accumulated 452 total digs averaging 3.77 digs/set, which placed her ranked 87th in the nation in total digs. Ellie had 26 games with 10+ kills and 22 of those were double doubles with 10+ digs as well. She had a career high of 27 kills during the season versus Anderson. Ellie also achieved 100 Career Aces and 1,000 Career Digs during the season. She is only 1 of 4 to achieve this in digs and 1 of 5 to achieve this in Aces. Ellie earned 1st Team All-Conference, All-Region Team and All-American Honor Mention honors. Ellie earned President Lists honors with a 4.0 in the Fall as well as her bachelor’s degree. She is currently seeking her master’s degree
Tawana Senah – Women’s Tennis 5-7 in singles, 7-7 in doubles. Beaten regionally ranked top 40 players at number 1 singles. Beat Division 1 doubles team with partner Anna Goncalves
Naomi Roberts from the Emmanuel Lady Lions Basketball Team. She led Conference Carolina’s in scoring all season averaging 18.8 ppg, clip. She was
selected by the conference coaches as First Team All-Conference and was nominated as a junior for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All American Team.
Grace Ausborn
Winner:
Karissa Turnwall
Biggest Upset of the Year
Women’s Wrestling- Alexandra Ford takes out the #3 NCAA wrestler in the country first round of the inaugural Women's NCAA Wrestling National Championship.
Men’s Wrestling- Michael McCarthy takes out King University’s Clinton Morrisette in overtime during a Conference Carolina dual meet match up. Morrisette was ranked #6 nationally at the time in the 174 lb. Weight class.
Men's Volleyball sweeps King University for the 2nd time this season. First time since 2016 and only the second time in program history.
Men Lacrosse over Young Harris College – The Lions defeat Young Harris on a goal scored by Cole Stachniak with 44 seconds left in regulation to earn the 16-15 win!
Men's Soccer vs #20 North Greenville – The Lions took down #20 North Greenville on a goal by Rezhis Koxhaj in the 64th minute of play!
Men’s Baseball vs #11 North GA – The Lions downed North Georgia 8-4 in Dahlonega for Coach Kilgore’s 250th win!
Women’s Bowling Defeats current #3 DI Vanderbilt 907-900 at the NCAA Sunshine State Classic in Orlando, FL
Women’s Volleyball sweeping Augusta University 3-0 at Augusta. The lions were 1-6 against August going into that match, and the Jaguars were 13-2 on the year at that point. The lions had 40 kills, 9 aces, 4 blocks, and 60 digs on the night.
Men’s Golf defeated 9th ranked Catawba at the Ralph Harreget Memorial en route to a second place finish out of 16 teams.
Men's Tennis vs Belmont Abbey 5-2 win for Emmanuel
Women’s Basketball upsets Nationally Ranked Number 13 Embry Riddle University 58-50 on their home court at a tournament in Daytona Beach Florida.
Winner:
Men's Baseball
Record Breaking Male Performance
Aidan Feeney- 3-time Conference Carolinas Player of the Week. He has seven matches with 20+ kills, is currently ranked 12th in the nation (div 1) in points/set, 10th in the nation (div 1) for kills/set.
Men’s wrestling
Devin Story - He finished top 5 in the country (D2) in scoring points per game. He scored 40 points 4 separate times, 39 points 2 times, and scored 38 points 1 time. He also had 15 assists in a single game.
Cam Scott Indoor 60m School Record - 6.88 Outdoor 4x100m School Record - 41.34
Lukas Lautrup shot a program record score of 204 (-12) to tie for first at the 2025 Currahee Invitational at Currahee Golf Club. Beat the previous record of 206 (set earlier this year by Pietro Fenoglio) by two shots. Lukas is also on track to set the single season scoring average record.
Murilo Martins & Henrique Castro Ranked top 40 in the nation in doubles. Helped lead the team national ranking to as high as number 30 in the nation.
Emmanuel Men’s Track Relays -- The 4x100 team of Deaton, Lawton, Scott and Silvera broke the Emmanuel school record with a time of 41.51. The 4x400 team of Marcus Purcell, Rashid Silvera, Alex Johnson and Antavious Lawton broke the school’s Indoor Record for the 4x400 with a time of 3:23.26!
Winner:
Lukas Luatrup
Record Breaking Female Performance
Gianna Brown – Brown leads the Lions in receptions (102) receiving yards (1133) and touchdowns (18).
Women’s wrestling - Karissa Turnwall & Janida Garcia became the first-ever NCAA All-Americans in program history at the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling National Championship. Turnwall earned a 4th place finish, while Garcia secured a 6th place finish.
Women’s Bowling - Won a school record 8 tournaments during the 2025-2026 regular season
Women's Swimming Eulalie Clech Finished 2nd in 3 individual events at the Conference Carolinas Championships, setting school records in all 3 events (500, 1000, 1650 free) and earning NCAA national qualifying times in all 3 events. In the 200 Backstroke, Isabell Schiller finished 1st with a time of 2:01.63. Breaking Conference Record
Ellie Jackson broke the school record of double doubles. She has accumulated 44 double-doubles in her career, breaking the record from 2022 of 42 career doubledoubles.
Natalee Goff for the Emmanuel Lady Lions Basketball Team recorded the first ever triple double since we joined the NCAA Division 2. She scored 28pts, had 15 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Lady Lions defeated Erskine University 110-64.
Marusa Pesut - Marusa tallied 1,185 total assists landing her 20th in the nation and 1st in conference. She also tallied 42 service aces on the season and 363 digs. Marusa earned 1st Team All-Conference, Conference Freshman of the Year, and Regional Freshman of the Year honors for her outstanding season.
Winner:
Ellie Jackson
Male Newcomer of the Year
Matthieu Bataille – In his first year with the Lions, Bataille has become a staple in the middle, earning Conference Player of the Week honors early in the season. Bataille averages 0.75 blocks per set.
Sam Thacker - Thacker averaged 11.6 points per game for the Lions, shooting 37% from three-point range (62/166). He picked up 89 assists on the season and averaged 3.0 rebounds per game. He was 2nd on the team in minutes per game, averaging 35.6.
Ezra McKee - Averaged 15 points per game and 6 rebounds per game. 2nd on team in scoring and first for rebounds and blocks.
Men’s Bowling Freshmen Liam Buchanan made one All-Tournament Team, 2-time conference Freshman of the month and named Conference Freshman of the Year.
Samuel Moeller - Men's Triathlon 2nd place overall SECTC Conference Championships 28th place out of 633 at National Championships (Olympic Distance Race) Hayden Lester - Men's Swimming 3x finalist Conference Carolinas Championships (100 back, 200 back, 100 fly)
Angel Aviles - Men's Cross Country and Track & Field Top 20 Conference Carolinas performance in the Mile (4:31) and 3k (8:57) Top 20 Conference Carolinas performance in the 1500m (4:09) and 5k (15:55)
Gabriel Hull. Won two big DII tournaments with strong fields. -5 at the Oldfield Classic and -11 at the Ralph Hargett Memorial. Conference freshman of the month and 2-time conference player of the week.
Shumpei Kamiyama 12-4 in singles, 6-1 in conference right now. 13-4 with partner James Girdler at 1 doubles
Winner:
Gabriel Hull
Best Female Newcomer of the Year:
Chloe Biggs (no season but best A&T athlete in program history)
Alexandra Ford finished the season with a 27–14 record, earning First Team AllConference honors. She placed top 3 at the NCAA Regional Championship to qualify for the NCAA Women’s National Championship. During the national tournament, Ford secured a statement win over the No. 3 ranked wrestler in the country at her weight class
Alba Caliz. Achieved highest ranking in Emmanuel Women's golf history. #94 in the country.
Gianna Brown – led the team in receptions (101), yards (1133) and touchdowns (18) while picking up 53 flag pulls on the defensive end!
Catalina Acacio - Finished 8th at NCAA DII Nationals in the 200 Breaststroke to earn All-American Status.
Women’s Bowling - Freshman Megan Garrick, made 2 All Tournament Teams and was named January conference Freshman of the month. Also named USBC Collegiate Scholar Athlete All American and was 1st Team All-Conference.
Zofia Taraszkiewicz - Women's Swimming 3x finalist Conference Carolins Championships (200 IM, 100 Breast, 200 Breast)
Oliva Wallach Leading scorer in Conference Carolinas for freshman. Strong Candidate for Freshman of the Year. Currently has 22 goals, 14 assists on the season.
France Smith - Women's Track and Field At Indoor Conference Carolinas Track and Field Championships, she placed 2nd in the 60m Hurdles (8.90) and 8th in the High Jump (1.51m / 4' 11.5") For OutdoorTrack and Field, she is currently ranked: 2nd in the 100m Hurdles (14.56) 4th in the 400m Hurdles (1:07.53) 4th in the High Jump (1.58m / 5' 2.25") 2nd in the Long Jump (5.53m / 18' 1.75") 2nd in the Heptathlon (4450 points). For reference, the Heptathlon is an event that consists of 7 individuals events taking place over 2 days. Day 1 the individual competes in the 100m hurdles -
Shot Put - High Jump - 200m dash Day 2 the individual competes in the Long Jump -Javelin Throw - 800m run In the Heptathlon, she is 139 points away from hitting the NCAA DII National Standard for the Outdoor Track and Field Championship. Hoping to hit it at the next meet April 10-11.
Maruša Pešut joined the Lions as a freshman this season hailing from Maribur, Slovenia. She earned the starting setter position this season and lead the Lions to a Conference Championship Title. Maruša tallied 1,185 total assists landing her 20th in the nation and 1st in the conference. She also tallied 42 total service aces and 363 digs. Maruša earned 1st team all-conference, conference freshman of the year and regional freshmen of the year honors for her outstanding performance. Maruša also was on the President’s list in the Fall with a 4.0 GPA (on track to do the same Spring semester).
Anhelina Zmushko – Women’s Tennis 6-9 in singles, 2-3 in conference right now. 10-4 in doubles with partner Franziska Wolter
Kate Jackson from the Emmanuel Lady Lions Basketball Team. Kate after having to sit out her entire freshman and sophomore years with two different year ending injuries came back and had a great first season. She averaged 10.1 ppg, led us in rebounds at 8.4 per game, and led us in steals with 51. She was also nominated for Conference Carolina’s Freshman of the Year!
Winner:
Alexandra Ford
Coach of the Year
Jesse Kemmerer
o Led the Emmanuel Cross Country and Track & Field programs to multiple personal best runs, and school records being broken in the Men’s Track & Field 4x100 Relay and 4x400 Relay.
Logan Reese
o Team is currently ranked 44th nationally with two players ranked in the top 100 nationally (Lukas Lautrup is ranked #40, Gabriel Hull is ranked #60). The Lions have finished in the top 3 in 3 tournaments, with 4 Lions earning individual wins. The Lions upset #9 Catawba at the Ralph Hargett Memorial.
Bryce Killian
o The Women’s Wrestling team finished 2nd in Region, with 6 wrestlers qualifying for the National Championship. The Lions had three wrestlers named Regional Champion (Rebekah Jean-Bapstiste, Karissa Turnwall, Janida Garcia) Two Lions earned All-American Status at Nationals by finishing in the top 6 in their weight class, (Janida Garcia – 6th place finish at 131 lbs, Karissa Turnwall – 4th place finish at 117 lbs.) The Lions finished the season ranked 14th in the nation, with an overall record of 10-3, 6-1 in conference action.
o On the men’s side, the Lions had several highlight worthy moments, including Michael McCarthy’s upset win over Clinton Morrisette of King University, who was ranked #6 in the nation a 174 lbs. The Lions finished 9-6 overall, 7-5 in conference action.
TJ Rosene - Won his 500th career win. After losing 6 of the top 7 players from the 2024-2025 Team, the MBB team started the season 2-8. Then going on an impressive run with a record of 16-5 to finish the season 18-13 overall.
Joey Kendrick - Bowling Won School record 8 tournaments on the season and was named Conference Coach of the year
Preston Braswell - Women's Golf. He has improved the women's golf program and has been winning tournaments and placing high in others. He is also an inspiration for what it looks like to be on mission here at Emmanuel. He has a heart for his team to share the Gospel and see his athletes come to know Christ and grow deeper in their relationships with God.
James Friddle, Women’s Volleyball – The team finished the season 22-10 overall and 15-5 in conference. The team won the Conference Carolina Championship in a 4-set victory over NGU even after the adversity of losing 2 starters in the season. The team had a huge sweeping victory over regional foe Augusta. The team also earned AVCA Academic Honor Roll for the 4th straight year (top 20% GPA in all D2). He topped 160 career wins as the Lions Head Coach.
Jeff Kilgore
o The Lions upset #15 North Georgia 8-4 on March 24, which was Coach Kilgore’s 250th win.
o The Lions took a game from UNC Pembroke when they were ranked in the top 20 nationally.
Winner:
James Friddle
Male Team of the Year:
Men's Basketball - After losing 6 of the top 7 players from the 2024-2025 Team, the MBB team started the season 2-8. Then going on an impressive run with a record of 16-5 to finish the season 18-13 overall. Lost in conference tournament semi-finals.
Men’s Swimming - 11-1 dual meet season 3rd place team finish Conference Carolinas Championships
Men's Tennis – Currently Top 30 in the Nation. Undefeated in Conference Play
Men's Triathlon - SECTC Conference Champions (2nd year in a row) 6th place team finish at 2026 National Championships (Includes NCAA Div. I, II & III)
Men’s Golf- Currently ranked 44th nationally for the first time in program history, with two individuals ranked inside the top 100 nationally.
Winner:
Men's Tennis
Female Team of the Year:
Women’s Soccer – made history by winning the Southeast division for the first time in program history. The Lions defeated Young Harris 2-0, for their first win over the Mountain Lions in program history.
Women’s Wrestling finished the season with a 10–3 overall record, earning runnerup finishes at both the Conference Carolinas Championship and the NCAA Regional Championship. The team ended the year ranked No. 9 in the NCAA dual meet rankings and No. 14 in the team tournament rankings. At the first-ever NCAA Women’s National Championship, the Lions placed in the top 15 nationally and
produced two All-Americans
Women's Golf - Achieved highest ranking in D2 era (#37)
Women’s Bowling - Won a program record 8 tournaments, including a win over DI #3 Vanderbilt, 907-900. The Lions finished 2nd in conference, producing “Bowler of the Year” - Kaitlin Dekowsk
Women's Triathlon 3rd Place East Regional Championships 8th place team finish at 2025 National Championships
Women's Swimming 13-2 dual meet season 3rd place team finish Conference Carolinas Championships
Women’s Volleyball finished 22-10 overall and 15-5 in conference. The team won the Conference Carolina Championship in a 4-set victory over NGU even after the adversity of losing 2 starters in the season. The Women’s team was regionally ranked in each of the regional ranks this season. In addition, the team was awarded AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll which is given to the top 20% GPA in the nation in
D2 volleyball
Winner:
Women's Volleyball
Bill White Award – Male:
Winner:
Jan Michalak
Bill White Award – Female:
Winner:
Lizzie Teasley
