UNOH Celebrates Second Annual Torque Awards
LIMA, OH - Wednesday night, the Northwestern Ohio Athletics Department hosted the Second Annual Torque Awards ceremony honoring Racer student-athletes for athletic and academic excellence over the 2025-26 school year.
The first award handed out was the Team Academic Award that goes to the team with the highest cumulative grade point average. This year's winner was Women's Golf with a team GPA of 3.43.
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year came next and honors one female and one male student-athlete selected primarily based on academic achievement. The three women's finalists were Sophia Eisner of women's soccer, Celeste Rummell of women's basketball and Kylie Carpenter of Women's Bowling. The men's finalists were Sinjon Bobolia of Baseball, Luka Heins of Men's Soccer and Jordan Davis of Baseball. The female Scholar-Athlete of the Year was given to Kylie Carpenter and the men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year went to Luka Heins.
The Team Community Service Award is granted to one team who has dedicated their time to giving back to the community both on and off campus. For the second year in a row, this honor went to the Men's Basketball program.
New for the 2026 Torque Awards was The Racer Cup designed to recognize the team that exemplifies excellence across all areas of the student-athlete experience. It reflects the core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership while fostering connection, accountability and pride across all programs. The three finalists were Men's Basketball, Volleyball and Women's Soccer with the Women's Soccer team claiming the first ever Racer Cup award.
Next up was the Iron Torque Award that goes to an athlete who demonstrates excellence in the weight room and consistently shows they prioritize their health and fitness during both their athletic career and also throughout life. The women's finalists were Kudzai Mandava of Women's Golf, Paige Becker of Softball and Riley Treece of Volleyball. The men's finalists were Zach Cabell of Baseball, Oscar Lind of Men's Golf and Jonah Day of Men's Soccer. Paige Becker claimed the women's Iron Torque Award and Zach Cabell won on the men's side.
The next pair of awards were for Newcomer of the Year honoring one freshman and one first-year transfer who made a significant impact in their sport during their first year at UNOH. The Freshman Newcomer of the Year finalists were Molly Douglas of Women's Golf, Ella Beaton-Hill of Women's Soccer and Brooke Asher of Women's Basketball. The three transfer finalists were Zach Grigalis of Baseball, Tayler Braun of Softball and Cesar Grau of Baseball.
The freshman award was given to Molly Douglas who earned WHAC Newcomer of the Year and All-WHAC First Team honors after claiming her third individual medal of the season at the WHAC Women's Championship. Cesar Grau won the transfer award after setting new single season marks for doubles and runs batted in earning WHAC Newcomer of the Year and All-WHAC First Team honors.
The ceremony then honored the Comeback Performance of the Year going to an individual who has come back from injury or setback and displayed strength of spirit in the face of adversity or a team that fights through a challenging situation to finish on a high note. The three finalists were all individuals with Makenna Goch of Softball, Adrian Martin of Men's Golf and Emilija Prolic of Volleyball making the list. The winner was Adrian Martin who fought through his own adversity to help his team win the 2026 WHAC Men's Championship.
The Moment of the Year followed honoring an individual or team who created a lasting memory for their program and UNOH Athletics. The three finalists were Women's Basketball beating No. 23 Shawnee State University, the program's first ranked victory since 2020, Women's Bowling winning the program's first ever Tier 1 event at the Collegiate Shoot-Out, and Women's Soccer winning the 2025 WHAC Tournament Championship over Aquinas. The winner was named as women's bowling who won by 51 points in the tournament portion of the Collegiate Shoot-Out.
Another new award for the 2026 ceremony honored an individual who goes above and beyond in support of our Racer student-athletes. The Pit Crew Supporter of the Year recognizes a non-coach staff member who is a constant presence for student-athletes on the field and in the classroom providing guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support. The finalists were Michael Wagner, Angela Osmon and Bill Cooper with Wagner claiming the first ever Pit Crew Supporter of the Year award.
The UNOH development teams were also honored during the event with a third new award, the Development Team All-Stars, and DT Athletes of the Year. The DT All-Star Teams are selected based on athletic development, strong work ethic, team contribution and coachability exemplifying commitment, teamwork and personal programs.
The women's DT All-Star Team honorees were:
Gabby Orth, Volleyball
AJ Organ, Women's Bowling
Emilee Peters, Softball
Celeste Rummell, Women's Basketball
Bryanna Adams, Women's Soccer
The men's DT All-Star Team honorees were:
Lane Lashley, Men's Bowling
Michael Hambleton, Baseball
Kenny Jackson, Men's Basketball
Luke Turner, Men's Golf
Oscar Herd, Men's Soccer
The DT Athlete of the Year award went to one male and one female student-athlete who displayed exceptional skil, leadership and dedication throughout the year. The female finalists were Bryanna Adams of Women's Soccer, Mallory Gipson of Volleyball, and Emma Cantrell of Softball. The male finalists were Adam Darlison of Baseball, Luke Turner of Men's Golf and Oscar Herd of Men's Soccer. Mallory Gipson won the women's side and Luke Turner claimed the men's award.
The next award was voted on directly by student-athletes representing the culture of spirit and true Torque Energy. The Full Throttle award finalists were Riley Treece of Volleyball, Silje Eikeland of Women's Soccer and Chloe Scott of Softball on the women's side and Stephen Cornwell of Men's Basketball, Nolan Hull of Baseball and Jonah Day of Men's Soccer on the men's side. The two winners were announced as Riley Treece and Jonah Day selected by their fellow student-athletes.
Another novel award was given for Staff Member of the Year that recognizes an assistant coach or athletic staff member who demostrates exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to the athletic department. The three finalists were Women's Basketball Assistant Coach Tom Litman, Baseball Associate Head Coach Aaron Lee and Senior Woman Leader and Athletic Trainer Jen Pitson. This honor was also voted on by student-athletes and went to Jen Pitson for her hard work and loyalty to the entire department.
The next honor went to a head coach who demonstrates exeptional leadership, commitment and coaching ability. Team success, mentorship, dedication and sportsmanship are all considered in the Coach of the Year award. This year's finalists were Women's Soccer Head Coach Elisha Fry, Men's Golf Head Coach Eric West and Baseball Head Coach Kory Hartman. For leading her team to a double in 2025, Elisha Fry was honored as the Coach of the Year claiming both WHAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships in the fall.
The Athlete of the Year category was awarded to a varsity student-athlete who achieved a record-breaking year and earned respect for their team and UNOH athletics. One individual was selected from female sports and one from male sports. The female finalists were Mathilda Berg Karlsson of Women's Soccer, Cecilia Campbell of Softball, and Tatum Twining of Women's Bowling. The male finalists were Daniel Healy of Baseball, Antonio King of Men's Basketball, and Guillermo Garron of Men's Golf.
The female Athlete of the Year went to sophomore Mathilda Berg Karlsson who had one of the most decorated seasons in the history of UNOH women's soccer. She was named NAIA Third Team All-American, United Soccer Coaches All-Region, WHAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-WHAC First Team. Her success also spilled over into the classroom picking up NAIA Scholar-Athlete and WHAC All-Academic Honors.
The male Athlete of the Year was also won by a sophomore going to Daniel Healy who made history as the first Racer to ever be named WHAC Pitcher of the Year more than once. He was also just the second ever in conference history to acheive that feat ending the regular season with a 9-1 record that included five complete game wins and three complete game shutouts. Healy also landed All-Academic and NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors this year.
The final award of the night was the Racer Medal of Honor going to one student-athlete in women's sports and one in men's sports who has achieved excellence in scholarship, athletics, leadership, and service. The three female finalists were McKenzie Wagner of Women's Bowling, Olivia Thompson of Women's Basketball, and Hailee Edgell of Softball. The male finalists were Caleb Chapman of Men's Basketball, Kyle Drazil of Men's Bowling, and Luka Heins of Men's Soccer.
Olivia Thompson, a leader for her team all three seasons with the program, was awarded the female Racer Medal of Honor. Her counterpart in 2026 was Luka Heins who was a two-year starter and captain for his own team.