General | 5/19/2026 10:46:00 AM

Oberlin, Ohio – Celebrating one of the most exciting seasons in the last decade, the Oberlin College Department of Athletics and Physical Education hosted the annual Obie Awards on Tuesday, May 12.
 
The over 450 people in attendance at the John W. Heisman Field House included student-athletes from Oberlin's 21 varsity athletics teams, athletics staff, and other campus faculty and staff members.
 
Below is a list of the award winners.

 
OBIE AWARD WINNERS
 
Newcomer of the Year from a Men's Program – Nolan Grieshaber (Lacrosse)
Newcomer of the Year from a Women's Program – Anjali Singh (Softball)
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year from a Men's Program – Nicholas Cuda (Lacrosse)
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year from a Women's Program – Haley Carlson (Softball)
Athlete of the Year from a Men's Program – Namu Makatiani (Track & Field)
Athlete of the Year from a Women's Program – Hailey Alspach (Softball)
Program of the Year – Men's Lacrosse
Coaching Staff of the Year – Ryan Polak & Thomas Klosowski (Men's Lacrosse)


Strongest Squirrel Award
Honoring one student-athlete from each team, the recipients of this award are recognized for their commitment to their respective teams, both on and off the field. The Strongest Squirrel Award acknowledges student-athletes who go above and beyond for their teammates, exemplify great sportsmanship and work ethic, and are champions of character.
 
Men's Team Winners: Philip Cauwels (Swim & Dive) | Sam Duffy (Lacrosse) | Jacob Epps (Football) | Kit Evans (Outdoor Track & Field) | Brady Groves (Baseball) | Ian Herrera (Soccer) | Josiah Howard (Indoor Track & Field) | Brady Huggett (Tennis) | Shea Laursen (Basketball) | Liam Newman (Cross Country),
 
Women's Team Winners: Amber Borofsky (Cross Country) | Eva Lopez (Tennis) | Jillian Jendsen (Volleyball) | Andie Kinstle (Swim & Dive) | Janny McCormick (Field Hockey) | Lily Najmulski (Basketball) | Aoife Shen (Softball) | Taryn Schwartz (Lacrosse) | Clara Smith (Outdoor Track & Field) | Averi Williams (Soccer) | Ella Wozek (Indoor Track & Field)

 
DEPARTMENT AWARDS
 
North Coast Athletic Conference / John N. Stern Scholar-Athlete Award
Recipients will be recognized for performing with distinction on a varsity team or teams, achieving a grade-point average of 3.2 or above, and demonstrating strong character and high ideals. One athlete of the senior class from a women's sports program and one from a men's sports program will be selected annually.
 
Winners: Angela Kumler (Basketball) | Namu Makatiani (Track & Field)
 
 
Gates-Karlgaard Award for Excellence in Wellness
The Gates-Karlgaard Award for Excellence in Wellness was established in 2011 in recognition of the commitment to wellness and health promotion at Oberlin College by Linda Gates (Dean of Students, 2005-2011) and Joe Karlgaard, Ph.D. (Delta Lodge Director of Athletics and Physical Education, 2005-2011). The award recognizes student-athlete leaders for their accomplishments in promoting health and wellness on campus and/or in the greater Lorain County community. Recipients of this award have also displayed impressive strides toward improving their personal health and the health of other community members. Moreover, they have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to wellness by making contributions and offering leadership that has furthered various wellness and health promotion efforts. (Wellness can be defined as a proactive and preventive approach designed to provide optimum levels of health, emotional, and social functioning.)
 
Winner: Ellie Pollock-Ballard (Basketball)

 
Gertrude E. Moulton Award
The recipients of this award will be the senior athletes from a women's sports program who best exemplify dedication to academic and athletic excellence and have demonstrated leadership skills, strength of character, and loyalty to Oberlin athletics.
 
Winners: Anna Fritz (Track & Field) | Lily Najmulski (Basketball) | Nyrobi Whitfield (Swim & Dive)
 
 
Andrews Family Award
The recipients of this award will be the senior athletes from a men's sports program who best exemplify dedication to academic and athletic excellence and have demonstrated leadership skills, strength of character, and loyalty to Oberlin athletics.
 
Winners: Liam Newman (Track & Field) | Anton Shelton (Baseball) | Jacob Starcke (Lacrosse)
 
 
Honda Scholar-Athlete Award
The recipients of this award will be athletes from a women's sports program who have demonstrated outstanding athletic achievements, leadership skills, and academic excellence.
 
Winners: Hailey Alspach (Softball) | Bella Tilford (Field Hockey)
 
 
Lysle K. Butler Award
This award is presented to athletes from a men's sports program who have demonstrated outstanding athletic achievements, leadership skills, and academic excellence.
 
Winners: Shawn Lisann (Tennis) | Evan Sardina (Lacrosse)
 
 
Crimson & Gold Courage Award
Established in 2018 to honor the late men's lacrosse player Aiden Day, who, at the age of 22, lost his life after a multi-year battle with leukemia, the Crimson & Gold Courage Award is given to those who have battled extreme hardship and adversity.
 
Winner: Averi Williams (Women's Soccer, Track & Field)
 
 
The Bonner Center Community Commitment Team Award
Established in 2026 in collaboration with the Oberlin College Bonner Center, this award recognizes the athletics team that demonstrates exceptional commitment to service by achieving the highest average number of volunteer hours per team member. It honors a collective dedication to making a meaningful impact beyond competition, reflecting teamwork, leadership, and a shared responsibility to give back to the community. Through their consistent efforts and service-minded spirit, this team exemplifies what it means to lead both on and off the field.
 
Winner: Football
 
 
Scholar-Athlete Local Impact Award
Established in 2026 in collaboration with the Oberlin College Bonner Center, this award recognizes a student-athlete who exemplifies a profound commitment to community service, distinguished not by the quantity of hours contributed, but by the quality, care, and intention demonstrated in each act. This individual approaches service with sincerity, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility, consistently striving to make a meaningful and lasting impact. Through their actions, they reflect integrity, leadership, and an enduring dedication to the well-being of others—embodying the highest ideals of service both on and off the field.
 
Winner: Massimo Vliet (Football, Track & Field)
 
 
To watch the archived recording of the Obie Awards, fans can follow the link here.
 
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