The 2025-26 season was filled with many success stories in Tompkins County high school sports. Many of the the top student-athletes and coaches in the area were honored at ESPN Ithaca’s 13th annual Night of Champions awards ceremony on June 18 at the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center.
Ithaca earned the most awards with 22. The lone fall recipient was Tsadia Bercuvitz as the Girls Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The junior won another STAC title and Section IV Class A title, finished runner-up at states for the second straight year and was named Milesplit New York’s Junior Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.
In the winter, there were three pairs of Little Red athletes and coaches who were honored. Koen Anderson and Jonathan Singer were the Boys Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete and Coach of the Year, respectively. Anderson finished in the top 12 at states in the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyles, while Singer led the Little Red to a runner-up finish at sectionals. Boys Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the Year Aidan Swarthout surpassed 100 career points, and Boys Hockey Coach of the Year Paul Zarach guided the Little Red to an 18-3-1 record and a third straight sectional title. Sonia Enns and Tyler Wagenet were the Girls Hockey Scholar-Athlete and Coach of the Year. Girls Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year Becca Lovenheim sent six athletes to states and four athletes to nationals.
In the spring, Boys Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year Quentin Getzin earned All-American honors for his efforts all around the field—in particular at the faceoff X—and Clayton Boys Lacrosse Coach of the Year Clayton Fickenscher helped the Little Red win its first Section IV crown since 2018. Girls Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year Sage Bliss was their top scorer, while Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year Kaitlyn Hoffay made it four straight sectional titles with the Little Red. Ithaca also swept the tennis awards. Jonah Jacobstein and Marina Okada were named the Boys and Girls Tennis Scholar-Athletes of the Year as they both qualified for states, while Helen Evans was the Boys and Girls Tennis Coach of the Year for leading the girls team to a sectional title in the fall and the boys team to a STAC title in the spring. Aicha Cisse and Ray Hage were named the Girls Flag Football Scholar-Athlete and Coach of the Year, and Moses Howard and Baron Dunbrook were the Unified Athletics Scholar-Athlete and Coach of the Year.
Athletic director Kari Burke and assistant athletic director Shane Taylor earned the Athletic Director Appreciation Award to overseeing Little Red athletics in their first years in their respective positions.
Lansing featured one of the most significant honors of the ceremony. Trent Thibault was named the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year for his outstanding efforts in long-distance running. In the fall, the senior won the Class C cross country state title. In the winter, he qualified for states in the 3,200-meter run. In the spring, he competed at states in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs, placing runner-up in the latter event.
There were four other Lansing recipients. Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year Jordan Brinkley earned All-State honors while surpassing 1,000 career kills. Boys Bowling Scholar-Athlete of the Year Nicco Binns had the highest average in the IAC and placed top three at IACs and sectionals. Girls Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year Hailey Baughan won another IAC individual title and finished tied for 22nd at states. Girls Golf Coach of the Year Kelly Baughan helped the Bobcats three-peat at sectionals. Boys Golf Coach of the Year Matt Loveless led Lansing to an undefeated regular season and an IAC championship.
Trumansburg had five recipients. Will Foster earned the Male Senior Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership and character both on and off the field. Boys Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year Duncan Gattine scored 32 goals and earned All-State recognition. Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year Aidan Clarke-Cabezas was the Blue Raiders’ jack of all trades and an All-State linebacker, while Football Coach of the Year Chad Doolittle helped Trumansburg make another sectional championship game, this time in their first 11-man season since 2013. Girls Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year Bryce DeSantis had another solid campaign leading the Blue Raiders.
Groton garnered four honors. Girls Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year Devyn Blasz pulled the strings in the Red Hawks’ midfield en route to an All-State selection, while Girls Soccer Coach of the Year Jocelyn Lathers led the Red Hawks to their first sectional title since 1987. Girls Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year Carmen Bishop became the first wrestler in school history (boy or girl) to wrestle in a state championship match, while Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year Jayme Evans continues to help grow one of the sport’s premier programs in the area.
Newfield had two recipients, including a state champion. That would be Girls Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year Maddie White, winning the state and federation titles in the 1,500-meter racewalk. Boys Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year Ricky Stewart made history by helping the Trojans win their first-ever IAC title.
