Rutgers Athletics recently unveiled its annual awards to honor the athletes who have distinguished themselves in a variety of areas. The awards included the Big Ten Medal of Honor, Bauer Athlete of the Year, the Freshman of the Year Award, the Sophomore of the Year Award, the Junior of the Year Award, the Senior of the Year Award, the Coursen Award, the Headley-Singer Award, the Werblin Award, and the Athletic Director’s Excellence Award. Most of the awards were given out to one male and one female
athlete.
Big Ten Medal of Honor
Recipients: Athan Kaliakmanis, Charlee Crawford
The Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field.
In his senior season, Kaliakmanis threw for 3,124 passing yards and 20 touchdowns while running for four more touchdowns. His passing yards total last year is the fourth most in a season in program history, and his 260.3 average passing yards per game last year was second in the Big Ten. He was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft by the Washington Commanders.
Crawford made breaking school records look normal during her time in Piscataway. She is now the school record holder in both the 400m indoor and outdoor. She also ran a leg on the school record sprint medley relay team, setting the top mark in 2024 at 3:47.28. Crawford recorded seven podium finishes over her career and was a two-time NCAA East First Round qualifier who earned a spot at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She was also an All-American honorable mention.
Bauer Athlete of the Year
Recipients: KJ Duff and Katie Buck
The Bauer athlete of the year award is given to the one male and one female student-athlete from any class who has consistently performed and excelled in athletic competition at a high level for the most recent academic year.
Viewers on this site are more than familiar with KJ Duff, who has been named to several preseason watchlists due to him posting 1,084 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Buck had an amazing season last year as well. She was a First Team All-Big Ten selection, Second Team IWLCA All-Region pick, and honorable mention All-American who finished the season with 166 draw controls, 30 ground balls, and 28 caused turnovers.
Graduation Class Honors
One male and one female athlete from each of the four graduating classes currently competing were named an athlete of the year for that class. Lucas Politano of Men’s golf and Emily Nichols of field hockey received the freshman award while Remy Cotton from the wrestling squad and Caroline Ling of women’s lacrosse won it for the sophomores. Tariq Francis from men’s basketball and Sam Rowher from softball won it for the juniors, while Joe Juengerkes and Gabrielle Dildy won it for the seniors.
Coursen Award and Headley-Singer Award
Recipients: Nestor Cabrera, Emily Leese
These awards are for the most outstanding male/female student-athlete from the graduating class who, during their career, has participated in the intercollegiate athletics program and proved themself to be an athlete of outstanding ability, and has shown determination, courage, modesty, and self-discipline and who, with unselfish devotion to their teammates and generous fairness to their opponents, has represented Rutgers University to the highest of standards.
Werblin Award
Recipient: Antwan Raymond
The Werblin Award is given to any male or female student-athlete who, either as an individual or as a member of a team, received national recognition or won a national championship during the most recent academic year. Last year, Raymond was one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker National Running Back Award, winner of the Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian in college football, and a Fourth Team All-America pick by Phil Steele. Last season he totaled 244 carries for 1,241 yards and 15 touchdowns.
AD’s Excellence Award
Recipients: Katie Buck, KJ Duff, Bennett Espenshade, Sephora Ford, Paulina Niklaus, Brian O’Sullivan, Antwan Raymond, Puck Winter
The AD’s Excellence Award is given to a student-athlete who attended Rutgers University – New Brunswick for at least four semesters, accumulated a 3.5 or higher GPA throughout the academic year, earned All-America honors or regional first-team accolades during the specific year, and demonstrated leadership and character.
