Willamette Announces Winners at the 2026 Bearcat Awards

Bearcat Awards Show Replay

Red Carpet and Event Photos

Jean Williams Award

Presented annually to the senior women's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship, and athleticism.

Abbey Staniec

Triathlon/Swimming

Whitley Stepp

Track & Field

Other Finalists: Claire Kisielnicki (Lacrosse), Emma Noffsinger (Swimming), Erica Snyder (Track & Field)

J.H. Booth Award

Presented annually to the senior men's student-athlete who most excelled in all areas of their career at Willamette by exemplifying and demonstrating outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism.

Brock Olson

Golf

Other Finalists: Nate Hamburger (Baseball), Josiah Jakab (Soccer), Kaleb McArthur (Track & Field), Oliver Smith (Golf)

Women's Athlete of the Year

Awarded to a women's student-athlete based on the culmination of their yearly stats and athletic accolades this season.

Mashani Coleman Toliver

Track & Field

Other Finalists: Alex Warfel (Lacrosse), Dream Takemoto (Volleyball), Tessa Ciatti (Swimming), Natalie Thomas (Triathlon)

Men's Athlete of the Year

Awarded to a men's student-athlete based on the culmination of their yearly stats and athletic accolades this season.

Tanner Overby

Basketball

Steeley Mucken

Track & Field

Other Finalists: Javi Rodriguez (Football), Ky Illiev (Soccer), Carter Stoltz (Baseball)

Women's Individual Performance of the Year

Awarded to a women's student-athlete for their exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.

Kaitlin Imai

Basketball

Other Finalists: Lexie Scott (Volleyball), Anna Bikle (Cross Country), Leah Howell (Swimming), Sofie Szigeti (Triathlon)

Men's Individual Performance of the Year

Awarded to a men's student-athlete for their exceptional performance that made the most impact on the competition, regardless of the outcome.

Austin Snodgrass

Track & Field

Other Finalists: Shonosuke Sakaguchi (Tennis), Jay Chew (Cross Country), Trai Xiong (Swimming), Tanner Overby (Basketball)

Women's Individual Service Award

Awarded to a women's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus — Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.

Stevie Bergstrom

Soccer

Other Finalists: Emma Floyd (Basketball), Erica Snyder (Track & Field), Catie Mohr (Lacrosse)

Men's Individual Service Award

Awarded to a men's student-athlete who has embodied the Willamette University motto "Non nobis solum nati sumus — Not unto ourselves are we born." They have exhibited selflessness in their service to others on campus and in the community.

Parker Hisey

Football

Other Finalists: Josiah Jakab (Soccer), Josphe Laferre (Football)

Women's Newcomer of the Year

Awarded to a woman's first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.

Riley Walden

Basketball

Other Finalists: Mckenzee Petersen (Softball), Priya Mistry (Lacrosse)

Men's Newcomer of the Year

Awarded to a men's first year student-athlete who excelled and showed exceptional potential for their upcoming years as a Bearcat.

Michael Baldwin

Golf

Other Finalists: JonJon Delgado (Football), Ky Illiev (Soccer), Davis Hester (Basketball), Davandre Campbell (Track & Field)

Women's Academic Team of the Year

Awarded to the women's teams who attained the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester.

Softball

Other Finalists: Volleyball, Soccer, Tennis

Men's Academic Team of the Year

Awarded to the men's teams who attained the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester.

Cross Country

Golf

Other Finalists: Tennis, Track & Field

Women's Senior Scholar-Athlete Award

Awarded to a women's student-athlete who excels through the rigors of academics and athletics at Willamette. The senior student-athlete who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester receives this award.

Siera Edwards

Soccer

Men's Senior Scholar-Athlete Award

Awarded to a men's student-athlete who excels through the rigors of academics and athletics at Willamette. The senior student-athlete who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average through the fall semester receives this award.

Nick Beswick-Seidl

Football

SAAC Bearcat Cup

Competition for the Bearcat Cup is designed to increase school spirit by Willamette student-athletes and to encourage participation on campus and in Salem. Points are awarded to teams for attending home and away games, participating in community service, attending non-athletics campus events, and attending Athletic Department events. The team with the highest point total wins the Bearcat Cup.

Julie Abendroth, Ed.D., Professor of the Year

In memory of Professor Julie Abendroth, whose dedication to Willamette student-athletes was not limited to the classroom. She was a mentor and a friend of our student-athletes.

Presented by the Willamette Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to a Willamette University professor demonstrating devotion to the pursuit of excellence by our student-athletes in both academics and athletics.

Alumnus of the Year

Presented by the Willamette University coaches in honor of an alumnus who demonstrates a lifelong connection and commitment to Bearcat Athletics, its coaches and its student-athletes.

Sue J. Rauch Distinguished Service to Athletics Award

Presented by the Willamette University coaches in memory of Sue Rauch, a dedicated member of the Willamette community, whose continuous support and commitment served a vital role in the success of the Bearcat Athletics Department, its coaches and its student-athletes.