VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton athletics held its 79th Annual Varsity Awards Program Monday night at the Events Center, where the athletics department honored its 400+ student-athletes and celebrated the achievements of the 2025-26 year.

Hosted by student-athletes David Marshall and Carla Curth, the program featured an array of awards, highlight packages and two student-athlete speakers, tennis player Andrew Fang and softball player Emma Lawson.

University president Anne D'Alleva opened the program with praise and encouragement for the student-athletes.

"You represent us with pride and stand tall as a Bearcat," D'Alleva said. "That is our winning culture and I see you do it every day, on campus and out in the community. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for everything you do to build up the University and build Bearcat Pride and our identity as the greatest public university in the nation. Go Bearcats!"

Director of Athletics Eugene Marshall, Jr. offered his congratulations in closing remarks.

"One of the things that brings me great joy is the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes," he said. "You not only keep up in the classroom, you win championships ... but most importantly, you do more than 4,500 hours of community service willingly. You want to make a difference."    

The awards presented honored academic achievement, individual perseverance and athletics excellence for the 2025-26 year and career distinction as well. The ceremony also included nine "Bearcat Choice Awards" voted on by the student-athletes. The night culminated with the unveiling of the annual all-sports Highlight Video, produced by creative content contributor Derek Li. 

Seniors took home the prominent career awards. Distance runner Sydney Leitner took home the Jessie A. Godfrey Award for career achievement and leadership. Swimmer Liam Preston was named the Jake Pitler Award winner for career achievement and leadership. Lacrosse standout Emma Blloshmi was chosen for the female recipient of the John Bilos Award - the preeminent honor for career athletics achievement. Tennis record-holder Ronin Lotlikar was the male John Bilos Award recipient. 

Athlete of the Year finalists were revealed, with the ultimate winner to be announced after the spring sports seasons conclude.  

The major awards presented were:

Jake Pitler Award (career achievement and leadership)
Liam Preston, men's swimming & diving

Jessie A. Godfrey Award, sponsored by ServPro (career achievement and leadership)
Sydney Leitner, women's cross country, track

John Bilos Alumni Awards, sponsored by Doubletree and The Retreat at Bunn Hill (career achievement)
Male winner – Ronin Lotlikar, men's tennis
Female winner – Emma Blloshmi, women's lacrosse

Athlete of the Year Preliminary Finalists (not including track, baseball, softball)
Male – Jeremiah Quigley (basketball), Connor Winters (lacrosse), Ronin Lotlikar (tennis), Brennan Delany (track), Evan Peters (swimming)
Female – Sophia Garofalo (soccer), Merima Smajlovic (volleyball), Emma Blloshmi (lacrosse), Kendall Bennett (basketball), Alyssa Armitage (track & field)

Academic Achievement (top senior male and female GPAs in department), sponsored by Seven Brew
Male winner: Liam Preston, swimming (4.0 in business administration)
Female winner: Jess Robinson, lacrosse (3.92 in biological sciences)

Team Community Service Award, presented by Arctic Bear
Men's Tennis

Comeback Athlete of the Year, sponsored by Brooks BBQ
Paige Luke, Women's Soccer

Dan McCormack PhD Athletic Tutor of the Year
Conner Osman

Sports Medicine Student Athletic Trainer of the Year
Alyssa Costa

Orthopedic Associates Scholarship Award
Rebecca Kessler

Bearcat Pride Awards (for significant contributions to the athletics program)
Dr. Donald J. Loewen, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Bearcats Choice Awards, sponsored by UHS Sports Medicine (voted on by student-athletes)
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year –Kendall Bennett, women's basketball
Newcomer of the Year – Mikey Squires, wrestling
Photo of the Year – Men's Lacrosse in stands wearing helmets at basketball playoff game
Best Photo Day Pose (tie) – Rebecca Kessler, women's soccer and Carson Wagner, wrestling
Team Performance of the Year – Women's Basketball 20-win season
Individual Performance of the Year – Bella Pucci, women's basketball vs. Akron
Play and Moment of the Year – Bella Pucci, game-winning shot to beat Bryant in AE quarterfinals