ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Oneonta athletics department hosted the 35th Athletics Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening, with nearly 500 people in attendance at the Alumni Field House. 

During the ceremony, the athletics department honored its team's Most Valuable Players and recognized the accomplishments of its student-athletes in nine major categories, including academic, athletic, outstanding single performances, and service to the department and campus.

Dr. Joseph Heissan '63 Senior Achievement Award

The Dr. Joseph Heissan '63 Senior Achievement Award is named in honor of Dr. Heissan, a two-sport standout athlete while attending college. The award goes to a senior who was a four-year varsity athlete, has legitimate athletic and academic credentials, and showed exemplary leadership, character, and work ethic while a varsity athlete.

Senior Kaiden Ring (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) from the women's soccer team was the female honoree. A team captain and vital contributor since her freshman season, she earned 2024 All-SUNYAC Third Team honors along with three consecutive CSC Academic All-District selections. Graduating summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA, she earned honors in both Criminal Justice and Women and Gender Studies while receiving numerous academic awards, including the Department of Sociology, Human Services, and Crime Studies Academic Achievement Award, Criminal Justice Major Merit Award, and the Susan Sutton Smith Award for Academic Excellence.

Senior Dillon Kelly (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Beacon) of men's soccer took the male award. A team captain for the men's soccer program, Kelly helped lead the Red Dragons to two SUNYAC championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and three Mayor's Cup titles while earning two All-SUNYAC Third Team selections.

Academically, Kelly graduated summa cum laude with a 3.92 GPA and collected some of the institution's highest honors, including SUNYAC Men's Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year, Oneonta Athletics Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, and the SUNYAC Elite 20 Award. A three-time CSC Academic All-District selection and four-time SUNYAC Commissioner's List honoree, he was also inducted into multiple honor societies, including Beta Beta Beta, Chi Alpha Sigma, and Alpha Epsilon Delta.

Athletes of the Year

There were two female athletes of the year, with sophomore Jaiden Schrag (New Berlin, NY/Unadilla Valley Central) from track & field and senior Maura Leib (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse Minoa) of field hockey.

Lieb leaves SUNY Oneonta as one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in program history after rewriting the record book during her standout three-year career. This season, she broke the program's career saves record, finishing with 498 saves while establishing herself as one of the top goalkeepers in Division III field hockey. She ranked 11th nationally in save percentage at 84.2%, consistently remaining among the national leaders throughout the season despite facing some of the toughest competition in the country.

During the indoor season, Schrag earned runner-up honors in the long jump after narrowly missing the title by just one centimeter, while also placing second in the 60-meter hurdles, fourth in the triple jump, and fifth in the 60-meter dash. Nationally, she ranked 44th in the long jump and 47th in the 60-meter hurdles. Schrag was the SUNYAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship Performer of the Meet after winning the 110-meter hurdles and the long jump. She took second in the triple jump and placed fourth in the 400-meter hurdles. Schrag also helped the 4x100 relay take second.

Senior Jamie O'Neil (Bath, N.Y./Haverling) from the men's lacrosse team earned the male athlete of the year award. O'Neil delivered a historic season for Oneonta, setting program records in total points and goals. He earned All-SUNYAC First Team honors this year and led the conference with 55 assists. O'Neil surpassed 300 career points, which fewer than 125 players in Division III have reached. Last season, O'Neil earned All-American honors, All-Region distinction, and was the SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Fred Puritz First-Year Athlete of the Year Award

The Fred Puritz Award is named in honor of Mr. Puritz, an esteemed faculty member and longtime Chair of the Intercollegiate Athletics Board. The award is given to a first-year male and female athlete who has excelled in their first year of college athletic competition. 

The co-winners for female rookie of the year were Kayla Beaudoin (Brunswick, NY/Tamarac) from women's basketball and Ava Fitzsimons (Pearl River, NY/Pearl River) from women's lacrosse.

Beaudoin made an immediate impact in her debut season, earning SUNYAC Rookie of the Year honors. She showcased her all-around game throughout the year, ranking among the SUNYAC leaders in multiple categories, including 20th in free throws made (39), 19th in assists (32), and 22nd in free throw percentage (25).

Fitzsimons was the SUNYAC Co-Rookie of the Year. She played and started all 16 games this season, contributing a team-high 53 points on 45 goals and 8 assists. Fitzsimons led Oneonta with 65 draw controls, which ranked fifth in the SUNYAC. She added 25 groundballs and 11 caused turnovers. 

Noah Hechler (Somers, NY/Somers) took the men's rookie of the year award. 

Hechler made an immediate impact in his first season as a true freshman defender, starting every game and becoming a key piece of the team's defensive unit. Rising to the moment in the postseason, he contributed in all three SUNYAC playoff matches, recording an assist in the quarterfinal win at New Paltz before scoring in the semifinal at Cortland. He saved his most memorable performance for the championship match, delivering the game-winning goal to secure the SUNYAC title. 

Male and Female Scholar Athletes of the Year

The Scholar-Athlete awards are given to the male and female who are starting players and someone who makes a significant contribution to their team's success while having a minimum GPA of 3.3.

The women's award is named in honor of Lee Abbott, former associate professor of physical education and swimming & diving coach at the college, who served as the Olympic Kayak coach during the 1968 and 1972 summer Olympics. Abbott was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.

Junior Nicolette DuBose (Levittown, NY/Island Trees) from women's track & field earns scholar athlete of the year with a 3.97 cumulative GPA. A Chi Alpha Sigma inductee, she has distinguished herself as both a student and competitor, earning multiple all-conference honors throughout her track and field career, including two First Team All-Conference selections in the triple jump, a Second Team All-Conference honor in the triple jump, a Second Team selection as part of the 4x100 relay, and a Third Team All-Conference finish in the 60-meter dash.

Senior Avery Leonard (Milford, N.Y./Milford Central) from wrestling grabbed the men's award. A professional accounting major with a 3.6 GPA, he has been recognized as a four-time NWCA Scholar All-American and is an inductee of Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society. He has also contributed to the campus community as a member of SAAC. On the competitive stage, Leonard reached the NCAA National Championship in 2026 at 149 pounds.

G. Hal Chase Memorial Award

The award is in honor of G. Hal Chase, who served as the college's athletic director and Chair of the Physical Education Department for over 40 years. It recognizes a student athlete's loyalty, leadership, dedication, and contributions to the athletics program's success. 

Tara Nicholson (Bayside, NY/Archbishop Molloy) from women's soccer and Will Fruscio (Niskayuna, N.Y./Albany Academy) of men's lacrosse were this year's recipients.

Nicholson appeared in 60 games with 45 career starts, totaling 3,985 minutes while contributing one goal and five assists from her role primarily in defensive center midfield. Nicholson earned three consecutive CSC Academic All-District honors (2023–2025) while graduating with an impressive 3.98 cumulative GPA. She was recognized on the Dean's List and Provost List multiple times and received the Sport and Exercise Science Department Academic Achievement Award. She is also a member of Chi Alpha Sigma and Alpha Epsilon Delta honor societies.

Fruscio has distinguished himself as a leader across campus, combining athletics involvement with meaningful service and student leadership. He served as SAAC President, representing student-athletes and helping guide initiatives that strengthened the athletic community. In addition to his leadership positions, he is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society.

Outstanding Single Performance Award

Senior Macayla Hodkinson (Bethpage, NY/Bethpage) takes the women's outstanding single performance award. Hodkinson delivered a historic performance at the Hartwick College tri-meet against SUNY Potsdam, dominantly defending her pool record after originally breaking it earlier in the season at the Hartwick Relay Meet. In the 11-dive event, she shattered a mark that had stood since 1980, posting an impressive score of 411.10. She also became the first Oneonta women's diver to qualify for the NCAA Diving Regional Championships.

Junior Trevor Cortright (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Valley) delivered a dominant run at the SUNYAC Championships at 133 pounds, capturing his second SUNYAC title and earning Co-Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament honors as voted by the coaches. Entering the tournament as the No. 4 seed, Cortright went a perfect 4-0 on his way to the championship, including three victories by fall in a statement performance.

David Ranieri Assistant Coach of the Year Award

Named in honor of longtime women's assistant soccer coach David Ranieri, the award honors assistant coaches who have improved the student-athletes' experience through their hard work and commitment.

Wrestling assistant coach Nate Leonard was this year's honoree.

Steve Blackmon '76 Award

Given to a graduating senior of color or under-represented group in good standing with at least two years of participation in a varsity sport, evidence of campus or community service/leadership activities, and evidence of overcoming personal hardship or adversity.

Named in honor of Oneonta Hall of Fame basketball player Steve Blackmon, who died unexpectedly while traveling on business.

Senior Kennith Jackson (New Orleans, LA/), from wrestling, has developed into one of the most respected leaders within the program, serving as a team co-captain and playing a major role in shaping both the competitive and cultural identity of the team. Actively involved in community service initiatives such as Into the Streets, Red Dragon Youth Clinics, and leaf raking projects, Jackson has consistently represented the program with pride off the mat while giving back to the surrounding community.

Geoff Hassard Commitment Award

This award is given annually to any current student-athlete who exemplifies dedication, loyalty, and commitment to their team, the athletic department, and the campus. As leaders, they show great sportsmanship, are committed to service, and go above and beyond. This award is not athletic or academic. 

Named in honor of former Sports Information Director Geoffrey Hassard, who spent 23 years serving the athletics department, student-athletes, and the college.

Senior Lidia Boucher (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) received the award this year. Boucher has emerged as one of the most influential leaders within the Oneonta athletic community, serving in multiple roles as a Team Leader, OPROS Leader, SAAC member, Morgan's Message member, and sports information office photographer.

Rounding out the awards for the year, the department recognizes the male and female teams with the highest GPAs as recipients of the Jay Pawa Team Academic Award. The award was named in honor of former History professor Jay Pawa, a tremendous supporter of student-athletes during his tenure at the college. Oneonta men's lacrosse and women's soccer won the academic awards.

Team Most Valuable Players

Noah Pickard (Batavia, NY/Batavia) – Men's Cross Country
Gia Engel (Syosset, NY/Syosset) – Women's Cross Country
Zach Rabadi (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) – Men's Soccer
Tara Nicholson (Bayside, NY/Archbishop Molloy)– Women's Soccer
Maura Leib (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse Minoa) – Field Hockey
Shea Landversicht (Greenville, NY/Greenville) – Volleyball
Carson LiCastri (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow High School)– Wrestling
Brendan Heaney (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks Central) – Men's Swimming & Diving
Alli LaBarbera (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook)– Women's Swimming & Diving
Lidia Boucher (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central)– Women's Basketball
Gabe Burns (Riverhead, NY/Riverhead)– Men's Indoor Track & Field
Tarryn Herman (Franklinville, NY/Franklinville) – Women's Indoor Track & Field
Ava De Vito (Levittown, NY/Division Avenue) – Women's Lacrosse
Thomas Hnis (Smithtown, N.Y./Kings Park) – Men's Lacrosse
Jaime Cardello (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) – Softball
Jake Quigley (Harrison, NY/Harrison) – Baseball
Lucas Berg (Nyack, NY/Nyack) – Men's Outdoor Track & Field
Natalia Sweat (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh)– Women's Outdoor Track & Field
Haley Peck (West Point, N.Y./James I. O'Neil) – Women's Tennis
William Schmid (Yonkers/Salesian HS) – Men's Tennis