As the sun has begun to shine over Patterson Field, winter sports have finally come to a close. The Bears showed out over these few months, with a collection of both individual and team awards earned after successful seasons. Here at The Grizzly, we thought we’d highlight these awards and the players who won them, capping off a spectacular year for our winter sports. Go Bears!
The men’s basketball team finished with one of their best seasons in recent memory, advancing to the second round of the Centennial Conference Championship for the first time in 4 years. A large part of this success was Trevor Wall ‘25, who improved immensely this year on both ends of the floor even compared to last season. Wall was much more trigger-happy from beyond this year, with 154 attempts compared to last year’s 110, and managed to convert at a higher rate, 33% vs 27%. This led to his capturing the Centennial Conference scoring title, the first of his career. Wall also noticeably improved defensively, becoming more aggressive on the ball than ever before and diving in passing lanes for a career high 65 steals. For his contributions, Wall was named All-Conference First Team for the Centennial Conference, NABC First Team All District Five, and D3hoops. com All Region- District Five.
The women’s basketball team had a standout season as well, able to clinch their second playoff berth in four years under coach Bobbi Morgan. The star of this year’s Bears squad was once again Chinwe Irondi ‘25, who finished with yet another historic season. Irondi was named Centennial Conference Player of the Year, averaging a double-double on top of leading the Centennial in FG%. D3hoops.com named Irondi to their All Region team, also naming her a Fifth Team All-American. The World Basketball Coaching Association also named Irondi an All-American. Finishing her career second in school history in points and rebounds, Chinwe has left a lasting legacy, and will be greatly missed. Madison Smith ‘26 will hope to pick up where Irondi left off, after the junior was named an All- Centennial Honorable Mention this season. Similarly an elite rebounder and post scorer, Smith had four double-doubles this season. The Bears should be in good hands next season, despite the loss of one of their best ever.
Men’s Swimming finished a fantastic season at Centennial Conference Championships last month, fighting hard among a tough conference. Jonah Kaznay ‘25 was at the forefront for the Bears, turning in a stellar championship performance which led him to be named an All-Centennial Honorable Mention. Kaznay placed third in both the 500 and the 1650 Freestyle, earning the second-best time in program history in the 500 and coming close to his record-best time in the 1650 from 2023. The swimmer finishes with three individual school records (200 IM, 400 IM, 1650), among the best athletes in school history.
The Men’s Indoor Track and Field team showed out at Centennial, Regional, and National championships, earning a host of awards. Mitchell Davis ‘28 capped off a prolific run by being named Second Team All-American, after finishing 9th in the country in the pole vault competition. He was also named all-region and first team all-conference. Liam Johnston ‘26, Aiden Tobin ‘26, and Tom Wood ‘25 also earned all-region honors for their contributions in the mile, 200, and the shot put respectively. James Sims III ‘26 joined Davis as the only two Bears on All-Centennial First Team, after defending his title in the high jump com- petition. Wood, Ethan Chambers ‘25, and Chase Shaneman ‘25 were named All-Centennial Second Team, along with a relay of Paul Faggioli ‘25, Christian Rosado ‘25, Johnston, and Troy Hedrick ‘27. Tobin, Patrick Ryan ‘26, Jaxson Geddio ‘27, and Andy Zigbuo ‘28 were named All-Centennial Honorable Mentions.
Women’s Track and Field showed up similarly strong, collecting awards as well. Rainah Dunham ‘25 finished her indoor career with a bang, putting on a show in the long jump and the triple jump. Dunham finished fifth in the long jump and fourth in the triple jump, receiving All-American honors for both with a top-8 finish. She was also named “Field Athlete of the Year” for the Metro Region by the U.S Track and Field and Cross Country Association and First Team All- Centennial. Sam Wechsler ‘27, Juniper Bauroth-Sherman ‘26, and Mia Bompensa ‘28 all joined Dunham on the All-Region team, in the long/triple jump and the pole vault. Wechler, Emily Barlam ‘28, Nadly Gyapong ‘28, and Kaelin Ryan ‘26 all were named Second Team All-Centennial for their 800 relay, with Weschler and Ryan also earning honorable mentions.
Men’s Wrestling finished second at Centennial Conference Championships, after a meet chock-full of great performances. Anthony Cerulli ‘26 was named First Team All-Centennial , after his championship win at the 174-lb weight class. Franco Mazza ‘25, Braden Kmak ‘27, Andrew Schaen ‘27, and Nils Updale ‘26 all earned Second Team All-Centennial after their runner-up finishes.
After a historic season, Women’s Wrestling had 7 athletes named NWCA Scholar All Americans. Kalli Roskos ‘26, Paisley Fox ‘27 , Mandy Gavares ‘27, Madyson Hickman ‘27, Cloe Charlesworth ‘27, Stacy Bloomfield ‘27, and Emma Sagi ‘28 all received the honors.