Legends Athletics Awards Banquet 2026

We had an incredible night honoring our remarkable student athletes across E-sports, clay target, baseball, soccer, archery, golf, fishing, and volleyball! Their dedication both on and off the field truly exemplifies what it means to be a Legend.

Whether they're hitting home runs, scoring goals, hitting bullseyes, making perfect putts, reeling in winners, spiking volleyballs, or dominating virtual realms—these student-athletes have shown exceptional commitment to their craft while maintaining academic excellence. Congratulations to all award recipients! Your hard work, perseverance, and team spirit inspire us all. Here's to celebrating not just the victories, but the countless hours of practice and improvement that made them possible.

Photo Gallery >>

Overall Awards:

• Legends Athlete of the Year: Marcelo Tanaka, Men's Soccer and eSports
• First Year All-Academic Athlete of the Year: Eli Pedersen, Men's Soccer
• First Year All-Academic Athlete of the Year: Eva Eisel, Volleyball
• Second Year All-Academic Athlete of the Year: Jonah DeJong, Baseball
• Second Year All-Academic Athlete of the Year: Tahira Schaffran, Clay Target

Archery Awards :

• Archer of the Year: Andrew Pritchard
• Breakthrough Archer of the Year: Elijah Duchene
• Archery Advocate Award: Emily Stephans
• Archery Trailblazer: Keagan Toreen

Baseball Awards:

• Hitter of the Year: Jonah DeJong
• Hitter of the Year: Sam Ovsak
• Pitcher of the Year: Ethan Miller
• Pitcher of the Year: DaShaun Robinson
• Shayne Simon Hardest Worker Award: Alex Blume
• Shayne Simon Hardest Worker Award: Ethan Mueller
• Landen Tillquist Toughness Award: Caden Evers
• Freshman of the Year: Kobe Snyder
• Freshman of the Year: Matthew Bryant
• Academic and Athletic Player of the Year: Jonah DeJong

Clay Target Awards:

• Top Athlete: Luke Maanum
• Top Athlete: Tabitha Durand
• Honorable Mention: Haddan Steen
• Honorable Mention: Travis Luitjens

eSports Awards:

• Most Improved: Cameron Rise
• Best Teammate: Marcelo Tanaka
• Most Dedicated: Elijah Duchene
• Most Valuable Captain: James Adamek
• Most Valuable Player: Ian Ventura

Fishing Awards:

• Largest 6-Fish Weight for an Individual Event During the Regular Season: Bennett Gapinski
• Biggest Bass of the Regular Season: Bennett Gapinski
• Largest Weight Total for the Entire Regular Season: Bennett Gapinski
• Biggest Bass Caught in the Post Season: Max Meyer
• Best Team Finish in the Post Season: Ryan Wiener & Max Meyer

Men's Golf Awards:

• Hardest Working Player: Bralyn Steffensmeier
• Most Improved Player: Tyler Lehmann
• Most Valuable Player: Noah Falteysek

Women's Golf Awards:

• Most Improved Player: Ayla Larson
• Most Valuable Player: Lexi Usher

Men's Soccer Awards:

• Most Improved Player: Eli Pedersen
• Teammate of the Year: Tim Renz
• Most Valuable Player: Aaron Cunningham

Women's Soccer Awards:

• Most Improved Player: Audrey Peifer
• Teammate of the Year: Gabriella Ross
• Most Valuable Player: Samantha Haider

Volleyball Awards:

• Most Improved Player: Ashlyn Kahler
• Offensive MVP: Aspen Gentele
• Defensive MVP: Lilliana Rowe
• Most Valuable Player: Maddy Stocker
• Comeback Player of the Year: Jaci Domeier
• Spark Plug: Lexi Nurmi

SUPPORTERS OF THE YEAR

• Alexandria College, Marketing Department
• Michael "Right" Vaughn

Friends of Legends Athletics

Special recognition was also given to supporters and friends of the athletics programs:

• ATCC Faculty
• ATCC Foundation
• Bus Drivers: Monte Hinzmann, Brad Brejcha, Blaine Kalahar
• Business Office & Campus Store
• Brock Depute
• Facilities
• Sara Fier & Academic and Student Affairs
• Financial Aid
• Heartland Orthopedics: Kristi Bratsch
• Human Resources
• Institutional Research and Effectiveness
• I.T. Department
• Marketing Department
• Registrar's Office
• Michael Seymour
• Student Activities
• Support Services
• Welcome Center and Admissions
• Tom Weller