POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – On Wednesday afternoon, the Vassar Department of Athletics and Physical Education hosted their Annual Athletic Awards Ceremony at The Chapel on Vassar's campus. Highlighting the event was the Matthew Vassar Outstanding Career Award presented to seniors Sophia Bailey and Jared Fiske. Below is a full recap of the awards with the top vote getters.
 
Matthew Vassar Outstanding Career Award - WINNERS: Sophia Bailey and Jared Fiske
 
Finalists from a women's team: Sophia Bailey, Sofia Beseth, Jahmilia Dennis, Erin McCusker
 
Sophia Bailey is the 2026 Matthew Vassar Outstanding Career Award recipient from a women's team. Bailey, a senior from Arlington, VA, has put together a historic career for the women's rugby program as she broke the all-time tries record of Vassar Hall of Famer, Margaret Kwateng, with 119 for her career. Bailey has been a key part of the Brewers two national championship teams and has led the squad to four straight NCR Final Four appearances. Bailey has also been named a Tri-State Conference First Team selection three times along with earning NCR All-American honors three times. She was also named a NCR Scholastic All-American in each of the last three seasons and was tabbed a NCR Player of the Year Finalist this season. She graduates ranking second all-time in total points with 595 over the program's 46-year history and was also selected as a 2026 NCR All-Star.
 
Finalists from a men's team: Dan Bader, Oliver Berger, Jensen Bergman, Jared Fiske

Jared Fiske is the 2026 Matthew Vassar Outstanding Career Award winner from a men's team. Fiske, a senior from Livingston, NJ, put together one of the finest careers for a Men's Soccer player in program history. Fiske earned All-Liberty League recognition in each of his four seasons as a Brewer, including being named First Team and the Liberty League Player of the Year in 2025. Fiske is a two-time United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region III selection and a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-American. Fiske finished his career with 68 points on the strength of 28 goals and 12 assists and was a part of two NCAA Tournament teams, including the 2024 Liberty League Championship squad. Fiske will graduate fifth all-time at Vassar in goals and tied for fifth all-time in points.

Betty Richey Performer of the Year Award - WINNERS: Haley Schoenegge and Armaan Desai
 
Finalists from a women's team: Sofia Beseth, Maura McAusland, Gianna Panarelli, Haley Schoenegge
 
Haley Schoenegge was tabbed the 2026 Betty Richey Performer of the Year Award recipient from a women's team. Schoenegge, a junior from Prospect, KY, has continued to record historic feats this season as she began the season with a First Team All-Liberty League selection in cross country and went on to earn her second straight All-American selection behind a 15th place finish at the NCAA Championship meet to lead the team to a program-best 10th place finish. From there, she earned Liberty League titles in the mile, 3000 meters and distance medley relay, which earned her Liberty League Most Outstanding Track Performer of the Meet honors. Schoenegge went on to score her third mile National Championship and collected All-American honors in the 3000 meters. So far in the outdoor season, Haley has recorded the top time nationally in the 1500 meters and the 5000 meters, including the fourth-fastest time in Division III history in the 1500 meters.
 
Finalists from a men's team: Jensen Bergman, Armaan Desai, Shea Fitzgerald, Alexander North
 
Armaan Desai is the 2026 Betty Richey Performer of the Year Award winner from a men's team. Desai, a junior from Pennington, NJ, put together an impressive junior campaign for the men's volleyball program as he finished the season ranked second nationally in blocks per set and also tied the single season record for solo blocks with 29. Desai helped Vassar to a 17 win campaign, which included five nationally-ranked victories and wins over eventual national champions Springfield and #3 Stevens. Desai was selected as an All-UVC first team selection for the first time, earned his second AVCA All-Region II selection and was named an AVCA First Team All-American for the first time in his career.
 
Vassar Rookie of the Year - WINNERS: Ava Holman and Aqeel Merchant
 
Finalists from a women's team: Abigail Ford, Ava Holman, Veronica Scherk, Lindsey Shoulders
 
Ava Holman was tabbed the 2026 Vassar Rookie of the Year from a women's team. Holman, a First Year from St. Louis, MO, burst onto the scene for Vassar as a rookie in 2025. Holman led Vassar with 10 goals, including five game winners, and 23 points. Holman's final deciding marker of the season came in a 1-0 win over RIT in the Liberty League Championship final, giving Vassar's its first ever league crown. Holman earned five Liberty League Rookie of the Week awards and an Offensive Performer of the Week citation in 2025 on the way to being named Second Team All-League and the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. Holman, who appeared in all 20 games for the Brewers as a rookie, also earned Third Team All-Region III recognition from the United Soccer Coaches.

Finalists from a men's team: Ethan Fox-Fernandez, Danny Holt, Junchen Jia, Aqeel Merchant
 
Aqeel Merchant is the 2026 Vassar Rookie of the Year from a men's team. Merchant, a First Year from Arlington, MA, led Vassar in victories as a rookie on the way to being named Second Team All-Liberty League. Merchant recorded a team-high 12 victories in 2025-26, going 9-7 at the fourth position and adding two wins at the third slot and another triumph playing at the second position on the ladder. Merchant, who finished the season on a seven-match winning streak, closed the 2026 Liberty League Championship with a 3-0 record and won all four of his matches at the CSA Divisional Championship. In addition to the All-League citation, Merchant was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Week on October 27.

 
Frances D. Fergusson Coaches Award - WINNERS: Catherine Peacock and Fernando Bauermeister
 
Finalists from a women's team: Rebecca Gutierrez, Gianna Hoover, Riley McGrath, Catherine Peacock
 
Catherine Peacock was selected as the 2026 Frances D. Fergusson Coaches Award winner from a women's team. Peacock, a senior from Stockton, NJ, served as a Co-Captain for the Brewers in 2026 despite missing the season due to injury. Over the course of her career, Peacock was limited to just 37 games over a four-year career, but became a force in draw controls for the Brewers.  Peacock won 135 draws for the Vassar, including a career-high 57 a season ago, and will graduate ranked inside the top-10 all-time at Vassar in the category. Peacock added six goals and nine points for Vassar and off the field was named to the Liberty League All-Academic team in both 2024-25. Upon graduation, Peacock will assume the duties of Administrative Fellow for Compliance and Student-Athlete Welfare within the Department of Athletics and Physical Education. 

Finalists from a men's team: Dan Bader, Fernando Bauermeister, Bevan Howard, Addison Lee
 
Fernando Bauermeister is the 2026 Frances D. Fergusson Award recipient from a men's team. Bauermeister, a senior from Winter Park, FL, has been a mainstay in the Vassar lineup over a four-year career. Bauermeister has been named All-Conference in both singles and doubles in each of his first three seasons and was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Year in 2023. Bauermeister has amassed 74 combined wins for the Brewers in dual match competition on the strength of 34 singles wins and 40 more doubles victories. Off the court, Bauermeister has earned Academic All-District honors twice, and as the team's 'emotional thermostat,' Bauermeister excelled on the court, overcoming serious injury, while thriving in the community mentoring local youths, volunteering at The Lunch Box and processing over 12,000 items for the Dutchess County Coat Drive. Upon graduation from Vassar, Bauermeister will pursue his law degree at UCLA Law.
 
Vassar Scholar-Athlete Award - WINNERS: Lindsey Nihei and Nolan Kubiak
 
Finalists from a women's team: Rebecca Gutierrez, Ananya Krishnan, Abigail McLaughlin, Lindsey Nihei
 
Lindsey Nihei is the 2026 Vassar Scholar-Athlete Award winner from a women's team. Nihei, a senior from Honolulu, HI, has been a standout both on and off the field over a four-year career for the Brewers. Appearing in 75 games for Vassar, Nihei served as a team captain in 2026 and helped anchor a defensive unit that posted two shutouts in the Liberty League Championship as Vassar earned its first ever conference crown. Nihei was named the championship's Most Outstanding Performer and added First Team All-Liberty League and Second Team All-Region recognition in 2026. A Biochemistry major, Nihei was named to the Liberty League All-Academic Team in each of the three seasons she was eligible and was tabbed Academic All-District twice.

Finalists from a men's team: Kyle Benson, Oliver Berger, Nolan Kubiak, Otis Wildman

Nolan Kubiak is the 2026 Scholar-Athlete Award recipient from a men's team. Kubiak, a senior from Oregon, WI, is in the midst of a strong season for the Brewers, who completed an undefeated schedule and earned the top seed in the Liberty League Championship. Kubiak entered the championship with an 8-3 singles record and has teamed with Fernando Bauermeister for a 10-6 record playing at first doubles. Kubiak, an Economics major, has been named to the Liberty League All-Academic Team twice and earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District distinction on Tuesday.

Iron Brewer Award - WINNERS: Amanda Hanrahan and Kyle Benson
 
Finalists from a women's team: Sofia Beseth, Rebecca Gutierrez, Amanda Hanrahan, Abigail McLaughlin
 
Amanda Hanrahan is the 2026 Iron Brewer Award winner from a women's team. Hanrahan, a sophomore from Newbury, MA, is strong and powerful. She is setting program records in the deadlift, front squat, and hang clean while continually motivating her teammates to chase new personal bests. Her strength is the result of a consistent commitment to the weight room, and as it has increased, she has successfully transferred it to her throwing events, producing PRs in competition. Her combination of raw strength and applied performance is what sets her apart.

Finalists from a men's team: Kyle Benson, Cade Chezum, Kreekor Karageuzian, Jack Johnson
 
Kyle Benson is the 2026 Iron Brewer Award winner from a men's team. Benson, a senior from Bronx, NY, is strong and dedicated. He is in constant pursuit of mastering new movement patterns to build upon his foundation of strength. His commitment to training has made him one of our strongest student-athletes, routinely completing hundreds of push-ups and deadlifting over 550 pounds. Kyle's diverse strength profile and unwavering dedication to his development are what set him apart.

Vassar Student-Worker of the Year Award - WINNER: Marcos Medina
 
Finalists: Fernando Bauermeister, Marcos Medina, Andre Prunty, Jacob Sellitti

Marcos Medina was selected as the 2026 Student-Worker of the Year. Medina has worked four years as a Facility Monitor and Game & Equipment Assistant in Facilities and Game Operations and has been a crucial member of the Department of Athletics and Physical Education. Medina has taken initiative in training co-workers on game day operations, contributing to the overall efficiency and success of departmental events, and is particularly recognized for his work during winter basketball contests, where he serves as the shot clock operator. By the conclusion of this academic year, Marcos will have worked more than 50 home contests. While this figure reflects a remarkable level of dedication within a single year, it only begins to capture the broader impact he has made over his four years with Vassar Athletics. Marcos exemplifies dependability, initiative, and teamwork, and he is highly regarded by supervisors, peers, and athletics staff alike.