The end of the 2025-26 Syracuse Orange Athletics season is almost here, and an annual event returned to campus to honor the best players, teams, and moments that truly bled Orange.
From cross country and rowing to lacrosse and basketball, Syracuse student-athletes from across various sports programs were recognized at the 20th annual ‘Cuse Awards on Monday.
Cross country and track and field runner Emma Eastman, along with rower Cole Nordby, earned the top accolade of the night in the Soladay Award
— the highest distinction given by Syracuse Athletics to highlight the best of the best Syracuse student-athletes.
The rowers and runners also picked up two other notable accolades of the night. Women’s rower Abby Rockwood took home the Syracuse 8 Courage Award, which honors the legacy of the Syracuse 8.
Then, the men’s cross country program took home team of the year honors after finishing in fourth place and earning their first podium finish in a decade at the 2026 NCAA Championships.
The best women’s team of the year went to Syracuse lacrosse, who are currently No. 8 overall in the nation with a 13-5 record, according to USA Lacrosse. Regy Thorpe, the first-year head coach of the program, also got Coach of the Year, along with men’s cross country and track coach Brien Bell.
Moving back to the athletes, Joey Spallina won Male Athlete of the Year after breaking the program record for career points, while Bo van Kempen of women’s field hockey secured Female Athlete of the Year honors after a historic season of her own.
Here is your full list of winners at the 2026 ‘Cuse Awards:
- Soladay Award: Emma Eastman (women’s cross country and track) and Cole Nordby (men’s rowing)
- Syracuse 8 Courage Award: Abby Rockwood (women’s rowing)
- Men’s team of the year: cross country
- Women’s team of the year: lacrosse
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Brien Bell
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Regy Thorpe
- Male Athlete of the Year: Joey Spallina (lacrosse)
- Female Athlete of the Year: Bo van Kempen (field hockey)
- Male Performance of the Year: Tomas Hut (men’s soccer; nine saves versus No. 4 NC State)
- Female Performance of the Year: Laila Phelia (women’s basketball; career-high 38 points versus Virginia during regular season)
- Play of the Year: Dominique Darius (game-winning three in triple-overtime versus California during regular season)
- Game of the Year: women’s lacrosse (four-overtime victory over Notre Dame)
- Male Rookie of the Year: Antoine Deslauriers (football)
- Female Rookie of the Year: Uche Izoje (women’s basketball)
