Goucher Athletics Celebrates 2025-26 Award Winners
BALTIMORE, MD - At the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year, the Goucher Athletic Department is excited to announce the winners of their annual awards on Thursday evening. The winners were announced during the award ceremony on Thursday, May 7th, as we take the time to recognize the accomplishments of our athletes this year.
Jacob Morgan of the Men's Lacrosse program was awarded the 2025-26 Male Athlete of the Year. This comes after a record-breaking performance this season, earning 104 points in the season while setting the Landmark Conference and school record for total career points. This broke a 14-year-old record. In addition, he remained nationally ranked, sitting 7th in the NCAA in points per game at the time for voting. To conclude the season, Morgan earned First Team All-Conference and Offensive Player of the Year.
The 2025-26 Female Athlete of the Year was awarded to Hope Verschleiser of Equestrian. Verschleiser had a standout season, including numerous top-two finishes. This followed her Top-5 Finish in the Nation during IHSA National Championships for Individual Open Fences, and seventh-place finish in Team Open Fences. Verschleiser qualified for Nationals after earning Reserve Champion in the Zone IV Championships.
This year's Breakthrough Student-Athlete was awarded to Cameron Andruskiewicz from the Equestrian program. Andruskiewicz breakthrough year came following his undefeated regular season, while qualifying for Nationals in Zone Championships with his second-place finish in Team Limit Fences.
The Rowdy Gopher Award recognizes a student-athlete who embodies what it means to be a Goucher College Gopher. They demonstrate commitment, passion, and dedication to Goucher Athletics across all areas. The recipient of the award is Angelena Holmes from the Field Hockey & Women's Lacrosse. Holmes has Goucher in her heart and is often seen at sporting events, no matter the season, most recently making a flag to run up and down the court. During her games, you will see her leading teammates, encouraging them no matter the score. In addition, she has provided strong efforts with SAAC, serving as President.
Director of the Equestrian Program, Jen Smith, and Associate Director, Brittany Martin, were awarded Coaching Staff of the Year. This comes after bringing the program back to Nationals for the second time in the past eight years. Only 16 teams from more than 400 advance to the IHSA National Championships in a year, and this includes seeing an athlete qualify as an individual. The team finished 8th in the Nation.
Gabe Naftoly was awarded the Coaches' Award. This is given to a senior athlete who has competitively represented Goucher throughout their athletic career. Factors that are involved in selection include accomplishments in their sport, awards and honors for athletic ability, and leadership skills towards their teammates.
CONVOCATION AWARDS
The Neena Tolley Ewing Memorial Fund is awarded to a student of the Goucher Equestrian Team who demonstrates leadership, scholarship, riding talent, and teamwork. This year's recipient is first-year Andruskiewicz, who has shown extraordinary success throughout the season, capped with a National Championship, highlighting a key element in the team's success.
The Ruth Baird Thompson '31 Award was established in 2002 and has been presented annually to students who have demonstrated academic excellence throughout their program. This also includes their commitment to transforming the student experience. The recipients of this award are Jack Murdaugh from Men's Basketball and Lacrosse, and Tadeo Asprella from Men's Tennis.
The Neumann Award has been presented since 1973 to a student-athlete who has evolved into an effective leader, outstanding citizen, and distinguished athlete. The recipient of this award is Nick Gambone from Men's Lacrosse.
The Josephine E. Fiske Gopher Pride Award was established in 1986 and is presented annually to one male and one female athlete who play an important role in the success of their team. Variables for this award include sportsmanship, citizenship, positive attitude, leadership, and service to young adults and children. The recipients of this award included Lucy Ingraham from Women's Volleyball and Tennis, and Gabe Naftoly from Men's Tennis.
The Scholar Athlete Award was presented to Camden West from Field Hockey & Women's Lacrosse, who earned a 3.97 GPA throughout her time at Goucher while majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Neuroscience. This award has been presented annually since 1923 to a student who maintained high standards of academic achievement and admirable participation in athletics.
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
Our second annual "Play of the Year" nominees did not disappoint, as we highlighted various moments, plays, and performances throughout the year. The winners for each of the seasons are listed:
Fall Play of the Year: Madison Zubo earned the award for her game-winning second goal against Catholic, which propelled the team to the 2-0 victory for the first time in program history over the Cardinals.
Winter Play of the Year: Distance Medley Relay Team, consisting of Jayden Keels, Willie Lamb, Joel Lukoo, and Jair Smith. The team finished second at the Landmark Conference Championships after only returning two of the four athletes from the team the year prior. This earned them Second Team All-Conference.
Spring Play of the Year: Verschleiser earned this award following her qualifying run in the Zone IV Championships in April. In this, she performed her first run, received a call back, and had to complete a more difficult jump pattern. This allowed her to qualify as an individual for the National Championships.
CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
At the conclusion of the ceremony, we took a moment to honor the Equestrian Team, who won Zone 4, Region I Championships for the 14th consecutive year.
Goucher Seniors will join their classmates in commencement next Sunday, May 17th on the Margaret M. Winslow Great Lawn.