LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Washington and Lee Department of Athletics held its annual Athletics Awards Ceremony in Holekamp Gymnasium on Tuesday evening. The event, made possible by the generosity of the Brookby Family, honors student-athletes, administrators and members of the W&L athletics community who have made the 2024-25 school year a tremendous success in competition, classroom and community.

VIEW THE AWARDS CEREMONY ON DEMAND 

W&L ATHLETICS SENIOR AWARDS

"Pres" Brown Most Valuable Athlete - Men's Sport

Senior men’s soccer standout Weyimi Agbeyegbe has been named the recipient of the 2025 Pres Brown Most Valuable Men’s Sport Athlete Award. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Agbeyegbe caps a decorated four-year career at Washington and Lee as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 48 goals and 25 assists for 121 points.

A four-year starter and two-time ODAC Offensive Player of the Year, Agbeyegbe helped guide the Generals to two ODAC titles and three NCAA Final Four appearances. He appeared in 95 career games with 93 starts, and earned multiple national and regional honors, including All-America recognition from United Soccer Coaches in each of his final two seasons.

Agbeyegbe made an immediate impact as a first-year in 2021, tallying five goals and six assists en route to ODAC Rookie of the Year honors while helping W&L rise to a No. 1 national ranking and its first-ever NCAA semifinal appearance. He followed with a breakout sophomore campaign, posting 16 goals and six assists, and scoring in every postseason game that year.

He served as team captain in his junior and senior seasons, netting 27 goals across those two years and leading the Generals to back-to-back Final Fours. His consistent excellence, leadership, and historic production secured his place as one of the most decorated players in W&L men’s soccer history.

"Pres" Brown Most Valuable Athlete - Women's Sport

Senior volleyball standout Allie Buchholz has been named the 2025 recipient of the Pres Brown Most Valuable Women’s Sport Athlete Award. A native of Portland, Oregon, Buchholz concluded an exceptional four-year career as the Generals’ starting setter, finishing among the program’s all-time leaders in assists, digs, and sets played.

Buchholz appeared in 133 matches with 107 starts across four seasons, helping lead Washington and Lee to a 102-33 overall record, three ODAC Championships, and the program’s first NCAA Regional Championship in 2024. She ranks fourth all-time at W&L in assists (2,609), third in sets played (471), and 11th in career digs (1,388).

After contributing in a secondary setting role as a first-year and sophomore, Buchholz took over as the primary setter in 2023. She posted 1,110 assists, 412 digs, and 40 aces that season, earning First Team All-ODAC honors and All-Tournament recognition as the Generals captured the conference title.

Her senior season was one of the best in program history. Buchholz was named the 2024 ODAC Player of the Year after tallying 1,271 assists—fourth most in a single season—along with 431 digs, 49 blocks, and 40 aces. She led W&L to a repeat ODAC title and was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Newport News Regional as the team advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals. Her postseason honors included First Team All-Region and Second Team All-America recognition from the AVCA.

William McHenry Scholar-Athlete Award - Women's Sport

Senior defender Libby Ford has been named the 2025 recipient of the William McHenry Scholar-Athlete Award for women’s sports. A native of Denver, Colorado, Ford has been a key contributor to the dominance of the Washington and Lee women’s lacrosse team, both on the field and in the classroom.

Over the course of her four-year career, Ford appeared in 73 games and made 45 starts, recording 107 ground balls and 60 caused turnovers. She helped lead the Generals to four ODAC Championships and deep postseason runs, including a pair of NCAA Tournament quarterfinal appearances.

Ford became a starter in her junior season, starting all 22 games while tallying 33 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers. She earned a spot on the ODAC All-Tournament Team as W&L won its 14th straight conference title and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.

As a senior co-captain in 2025, Ford anchored one of the nation’s top defensive units. She led the team with 62 ground balls and 41 caused turnovers, earning ODAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. She was a First Team All-ODAC, First Team All-Region, and USA Lacrosse Magazine First Team All-American selection. Her efforts helped the Generals win a 15th consecutive ODAC title and reach the NCAA Third Round.

A History and Sociology and Anthropology double major with a Data Science minor, Ford is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a leader in several campus service initiatives including WLU NeighborShare, Habitat for Humanity, and Generals Repair Club. She is a six-time W&L Scholar-Athlete, three-time Academic All-ODAC honoree, and has earned President’s List distinction three times.

William McHenry Scholar-Athlete Award - Men's Sport

Senior men’s lacrosse standout Hillis Burns has been named the 2025 recipient of the William McHenry Scholar-Athlete Award for men’s sports. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Burns leaves behind one of the most prolific careers in Washington and Lee history, excelling both on the field and in the classroom.

A four-year starter at attack, Burns appeared in 67 games with 63 starts, compiling 152 goals and 96 assists for 248 career points—ranking third all-time in program history. He also helped guide the Generals to two ODAC titles and four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

After limited action as a first-year, Burns broke out in his sophomore season with 52 goals and 29 assists for 81 points, earning Second Team All-ODAC and Honorable Mention All-America honors. He followed that with 76 points as a junior and a memorable overtime game-winner to send W&L past top-ranked Salisbury and into the national semifinals for the first time since 2002.

This spring, Burns became just the sixth player in program history to reach 150 career goals and helped lead the Generals to their 13th ODAC Championship. He was named First Team All-ODAC and a Third Team All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine.

Academically, Burns is a Business Administration and Mathematics double major. He is a seven-time W&L Scholar-Athlete, a three-time ODAC All-Academic honoree, and the 2025 ODAC Men’s Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He also received the LK Johnson Rosasco Scholarship in each of the last two years.

Wink Glasgow Sport and Sportsmanship Award

Senior women’s golfer McKenzie Kane has been named the 2025 recipient of the Wink Glasgow Spirit & Sportsmanship Award. A native of Lutz, Florida, Kane has exemplified dedication, positivity, and school spirit throughout her four years at Washington and Lee University—both on the course and behind the microphone.

In addition to her role as a four-year member of the women’s golf team, Kane has become a well-known presence across W&L athletics through her extensive work in sports media. She has reported, anchored, and produced more than 50 stories for the Rockbridge Report, focusing on the university’s athletic programs. Her voice is also familiar to listeners of 91.5 FM WLUR and fans of her self-produced podcast, Chick with a Mic, where she interviews coaches, student-athletes, and members of the athletic department.

Kane has also developed feature stories and interview segments for social media, helping highlight key moments and individuals across W&L’s 24 varsity sports. Her work has provided a unique perspective rooted in her own experience as a student-athlete.

“McKenzie has brought an incredible level of energy, professionalism, and genuine passion to covering Washington and Lee Athletics,” said Sydney Anderson, W&L Director of Athletic Communications. “Her commitment to shining a spotlight on her fellow student-athletes has left a lasting mark on the W&L and Rockbridge community.”

W&L ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT AWARDS

Athlete of the Year Award

Sophomore men’s golfer Jonathan McEwen has been named the 2025 recipient of Washington and Lee’s Athlete of the Year Award. A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, McEwen has delivered one of the most dominant seasons in program history, following up a standout first-year campaign with a record-breaking sophomore year.

After earning 2024 NCAA Division III Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman of the Year honors, McEwen has risen to the top of the national rankings in 2024-25. He has held the No. 1 spot in Division III men’s golf for much of the season and has been ranked in the top three since October.

McEwen has competed in eight events this season, finishing in the top three in six of them, and claiming a program-record five individual victories. He has rewritten the W&L record book, setting new individual 54-hole scoring records twice and contributing to team records in the 18-, 36-, and 54-hole scoring categories. His play has helped lead the Generals to three team tournament wins and the program’s first-ever No. 1 national ranking.

In 22 rounds this season, McEwen has posted even-par or better scores in 20 of them and holds an astonishing 68.1 scoring average. He has yet to finish a tournament worse than 2-under par.

At the 2025 ODAC Championship, McEwen captured the individual title with a 12-under 54-hole performance—setting both ODAC and school records. He was named the ODAC Player of the Year, earned First Team All-ODAC and PING All-Region honors, and is a finalist for the Jack Nicklaus Division III National Golfer of the Year award.

With six school records and the Generals' rise to national prominence under his leadership, McEwen now sets his sights on the NCAA National Championship, where he aims to become just the second individual in program history to win a national title.

Outstanding First-Year Athlete Award - Men's Sport
 

First-year wrestler Carter Stack has been named the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding First-Year Men’s Sport Athlete Award. A native of Oakwood, Ohio, Stack made an immediate impact on the mat, establishing himself as one of the top freshmen in both the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and the South Region.

Competing in the 285-pound weight class, Stack compiled a 30-9 overall record in his debut season, highlighted by an individual ODAC Championship and a fifth-place finish at the NCAA South Regional. He earned First Team All-ODAC honors and recorded 10 pins, nine technical falls, and four major decisions across his campaign.

Stack opened his college career with a runner-up finish at the Messiah Invitational, going 4-1 on the weekend. He followed that with a dominant performance at the Racich Rumble, capturing the heavyweight title with a win by technical fall in the championship bout. At the Budd Whitehill Duals, he posted a perfect 5-0 record with wins coming via fall, major decision, and technical fall.

His breakout moment came at the 2025 ODAC Championship, where he swept the field with three straight wins, including a pin in the final, to claim the heavyweight crown. He capped the year with a strong showing at Regionals, where he went 4-2 and narrowly missed qualifying for nationals.

Outstanding First-Year Athlete Award - Women's Sport

Dual-sport standout Megan Zimmerman has been named the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding First-Year Women’s Sport Athlete Award. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Zimmerman made an immediate impact for both the Washington and Lee women’s soccer and basketball teams, helping each program to NCAA Tournament appearances in her debut season.

On the soccer field, Zimmerman started all 23 matches for the Generals, tallying eight goals and two assists. She ranked second on the team in goals and points and recorded four game-winners, including key performances in high-stakes contests. In a season-opening win over No. 20 William Smith, she registered a goal and an assist. She later scored twice in a 3-0 NCAA Tournament first-round win over Farmingdale State, marking the program’s first NCAA victory since 2009.

Zimmerman helped lead the Generals to a historic season that included a 20-2-1 overall record, a perfect 10-0 mark in ODAC play, a conference title, and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16. She was named ODAC Rookie of the Year, earned First Team All-ODAC honors, and was selected Second Team All-Region by United Soccer Coaches.

On the court, Zimmerman contributed to a 25-5 women’s basketball campaign that culminated in an NCAA Second Round appearance. She played in 24 games, averaging nearly five points per contest while shooting an efficient 48.8 percent from the floor.

With her success across two sports, Zimmerman has emerged as one of the most dynamic first-year athletes in recent memory at W&L.

W&L ATHLETICS COMMUNITY AWARDS

R.E. "Chub" Yeakel Memorial Service Award

Tim Hill, a beloved member of Washington and Lee University’s outdoor facilities crew, has been named the 2025 recipient of the R.E. Chub Yeakel Award. Established in 1986, the award is presented annually to an individual within the university community who has made outstanding contributions to the Department of Athletics and Physical Education.

Hill served on the W&L facilities staff for eight years, where he became a vital part of the university’s athletics operations, particularly through his dedicated care for the tennis facilities. His work—meticulous and consistent—was matched only by his unwavering spirit and the deep connections he forged with student-athletes and staff.

“Tim is one of the hardest working and kindest people to ever serve on our outdoor crew,” said Jan Hathorn, Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics. “He is deeply respected and genuinely loved by students and coaches alike for the care he brings to everything he touches. In every way, Tim has been an asset to the tennis program and the broader athletics department—making each better simply by being who he is.”

Whether it was hanging windscreens, setting up nets, maintaining the indoor facility, or simply greeting each player with a smile and words of encouragement, Hill consistently went above and beyond. He took time to learn the names of every athlete and made each one feel recognized and supported, fostering a family-like environment for the tennis teams and the athletics community at large.

Hill is currently facing a tremendous personal battle, but his strength of character and the warmth he brings to those around him continue to inspire. His legacy at W&L is one of quiet excellence, boundless kindness, and unwavering commitment.

J.L. "Lefty" Newell Memorial Award

Senior Bradford Bush has been named the 2025 recipient of the Lefty Newell Award, presented annually to a non-playing student who has served Washington and Lee University athletic teams as an exceptional volunteer and contributed meaningfully to their success. The award, established in 1984, recognizes outstanding commitment and support behind the scenes.

Bush has served as a team manager and student assistant for the W&L volleyball program for the past three seasons, earning the respect and admiration of players and coaches alike through his unwavering dedication and leadership.

“Bradford made an outstanding impact on our program,” said Associate Director of Athletics and Head Volleyball Coach Bryan Snyder. “He returned to campus early during his sophomore year to get to know the team and learn the playbook, and his commitment only grew from there.”

Throughout his tenure, Bush managed a wide array of responsibilities, including running drills, managing the scoreboard and clock, keeping statistics, assisting with video, and providing in-practice tactical support by relaying defensive calls based on in-game rotations. His behind-the-scenes presence was instrumental in the day-to-day operations and success of the program.

“Bradford frequently traveled with us, and on multiple occasions, when he couldn’t ride the team bus due to class or other commitments, he drove himself to matches just to be there,” added Snyder. “His dedication, reliability, and support were invaluable to both the players and the coaching staff.”

Richard Miller Physical Education Scholarship

Junior Roman Schlichter has been named the 2025 recipient of the Richard Miller Physical Education Department Award. Established in 1984, the award is presented annually to a Washington and Lee student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in physical education classes and completed the university’s P.E. requirement by the end of Winter term their junior year. 

Schlichter was nominated by Head Volleyball Coach Bryan Snyder '95, who praised his positive attitude, consistent effort, and enthusiasm.

“Roman showed up every day with a great attitude and a big smile,” said Snyder. “He gave his best effort in every drill, always looking to improve, and brought great energy to every game—competing hard while encouraging everyone around him. He was truly a joy to have in class.”

Schlichter’s dedication to physical education and his supportive presence in class exemplify the spirit of the Richard Miller Award.