LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Washington and Lee Department of Athletics held its annual Athletics Awards Ceremony in Holekamp Gymnasium on Monday 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 2025-26 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 swimmer Dalton Jobe has been named the recipient of the 2025 Pres Brown Most Valuable Men’s Sport Athlete Award following one of the most decorated careers in Washington and Lee athletics history.

A native of Henrico, Virginia, Jobe made an immediate impact on the Generals’ men’s swimming program as a first-year, winning four ODAC championships, earning First Team All-ODAC honors and being named the ODAC Rookie of the Meet. He qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships in the 200 Freestyle and 400 Individual Medley and earned Second Team All-America honors.

As a sophomore, Jobe continued his dominance within the conference and on the national stage. He claimed three ODAC titles while setting program, conference and ODAC championship meet records in all three events. At the NCAA Championships, he placed sixth in the 200 Freestyle to secure First Team All-America honors and helped the 400 Freestyle Relay and 800 Freestyle Relay teams earn Second Team All-America citations.

During his junior season, Jobe captured ODAC titles in the 200 Freestyle, 500 Freestyle, 400 Freestyle Relay and 800 Freestyle Relay while again earning First Team All-ODAC recognition and helping lead the Generals to a conference championship. At the NCAA Championships, he competed in five events and earned All-America honors in three, highlighted by a fifth-place finish in the 200 Freestyle and a fourth-place finish as part of the 800 Freestyle Relay team to earn First Team All-America honors in both events.

Jobe capped his career this season with five more ODAC event titles, including an individual championship in the 200 Freestyle and four relay victories. He again earned First Team All-ODAC honors and helped the Blue & White secure another ODAC team title. At the NCAA Championships, he competed in the 200 Freestyle, 200 Individual Medley, 400 Freestyle Relay and 800 Freestyle Relay, earning Second Team All-America honors in all four events.

Over the course of his career, Jobe accumulated seven program records, five ODAC records and seven ODAC championship meet records. He was a four-time First Team All-ODAC selection, contributed to 16 ODAC championship event victories and four conference team championships, and earned All-America honors 11 times.

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

Senior women’s basketball standout Mary Schleusner has been named the recipient of the 2026 Pres Brown Most Valuable Women’s Sport Athlete Award following one of the most accomplished careers in Division III women’s basketball history.

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Schleusner was a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain for the Generals and made an immediate impact from the moment she stepped on campus.

As a first-year, she started all 29 games and averaged 14.2 points and 11.9 rebounds per game while earning First Team All-ODAC honors, ODAC Rookie of the Year and ODAC Defensive Player of the Year recognition. She helped lead Washington and Lee to its second ODAC championship in program history and was later named the D3hoops.com National Rookie of the Year and an Honorable Mention All-American.

In her sophomore season, Schleusner elevated her game to a national level, averaging 23.9 points and 17.2 rebounds per contest while earning First Team All-ODAC, ODAC Player of the Year, ODAC Defensive Player of the Year and Region 6 Player of the Year honors. She delivered several historic postseason performances, including a game-tying basket against Shenandoah that helped propel the Generals to a second straight ODAC title. She totaled 45 points and 29 rebounds during W&L’s first NCAA Tournament victory in program history and later recorded an NCAA Tournament-record 33 rebounds in the Sweet 16 to help lead the Generals to their first national quarterfinal appearance. Schleusner led Division III in rebounding and double-doubles and earned consensus First Team All-America honors while also being named W&L Athlete of the Year.

Her junior campaign brought even more accolades, as she repeated as the ODAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year and Region 6 Player of the Year. During the season, Schleusner became Washington and Lee’s all-time leader in career points, rebounds and blocked shots, while also surpassing the ODAC career rebounding record in just three seasons. She averaged 21.6 points and a nation-leading 19.0 rebounds per game, leading Division III in rebounding average and double-doubles for a second consecutive season. Following another NCAA Tournament appearance, she again earned First Team All-America honors from both D3hoops.com and the WBCA.

In her senior season, Schleusner continued to cement her legacy among the greatest players in women’s college basketball history. She led the Generals to a 31-1 overall record, a perfect 16-0 mark in ODAC play and the program’s third conference championship in four years. She once again earned ODAC Player of the Year, ODAC Defensive Player of the Year and Region 6 Player of the Year honors while becoming the ODAC’s all-time leading scorer. She also broke NCAA Division III career records for rebounds (1,992) and double-doubles (97). Schleusner guided the Generals back to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the second time in school history and concluded the season as a First Team All-American, the D3hoops.com National Player of the Year and the recipient of the 2026 Jostens Trophy.

Over her four-year career, Schleusner started all 122 games and amassed 2,483 career points, the seventh-most in Division III history. Her 1,992 rebounds rank as the NCAA Division III record and the second-most in women’s college basketball history, while her 97 double-doubles stand as a Division III record and the third-most in women’s college basketball history.

During her career, Washington and Lee compiled a 107-16 overall record, won three ODAC championships, advanced to four NCAA Tournaments and made two national quarterfinal appearances. Individually, Schleusner was a three-time ODAC Player of the Year, four-time ODAC Defensive Player of the Year, three-time Region Player of the Year, seven-time All-American, the 2025-26 D3hoops.com National Player of the Year and the recipient of the 2026 Jostens Trophy.

William McHenry Scholar-Athlete Award - Women's Sport

Senior Sarah Zimmerman has been named the recipient of the 2026 William McHenry Women’s Scholar-Athlete Award following a remarkable four-year career as a standout member of both the Washington and Lee women’s soccer and women’s basketball programs.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Zimmerman played a key role in helping the Generals capture a combined five ODAC championships and earn eight NCAA Tournament appearances during her career. Across both sports, she competed in 187 collegiate contests, appearing in 87 soccer matches with 83 starts and 100 basketball games with 41 starts.

On the soccer field, Zimmerman developed into one of the premier players in program history. After earning Third Team All-ODAC honors as a first-year, she garnered First Team All-ODAC and Second Team All-Region recognition as a sophomore. Over her final two seasons, Zimmerman produced two of the top offensive campaigns in school history, earning ODAC Player of the Year honors along with First Team All-ODAC, First Team All-Region and First Team All-America recognition in both years. She concluded her soccer career with 42 goals and 21 assists for 105 career points, ranking among the top five players in program history in both goals scored and total points.

As a member of the women’s basketball team, Zimmerman became a consistent contributor within the Generals’ rotation throughout her four seasons. She averaged 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during her career while totaling 119 blocked shots, the fifth-most in program history. She earned Third Team All-ODAC honors this past season and helped lead the Generals to two NCAA Tournament quarterfinal appearances.

Off the field and court, Zimmerman excelled academically as a Mathematics and Business Administration double major. She is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma honor society, served as a peer tutor and volunteered with the Rockbridge Area Relief Association. She also earned recognition as a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American.

Zimmerman’s academic accolades include being an eight-time W&L Scholar-Athlete, a multiple-time President’s List honoree, an ODAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipient and a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-American.

William McHenry Scholar-Athlete Award - Men's Sport

Senior wrestler John Santowski has been named the recipient of the 2026 William McHenry Men’s Scholar-Athlete Award following an exceptional career marked by academic excellence, athletic achievement and community service.

A native of Pittsford, New York, Santowski established himself as one of the most well-rounded student-athletes in Washington and Lee wrestling history. Over his four-year career, he compiled an 80-26 overall record with 24 wins by fall and 20 victories by technical fall while climbing as high as No. 3 in the national rankings at 197 pounds.

After posting a 14-6 record during his first collegiate season, Santowski broke through as a sophomore with a 25-8 mark that included eight pins and an undefeated record against Old Dominion Athletic Conference opponents. He captured the ODAC title at 197 pounds to earn First Team All-ODAC honors and went on to place fifth at the NCAA Regional Championships.

Santowski followed with another standout campaign as a junior, finishing 27-7 with seven wins by fall and six more by technical fall. He repeated as the ODAC champion at 197 pounds, again earning First Team All-ODAC recognition before placing fourth at the NCAA Regional Championships.

Despite battling injuries throughout much of his senior season, Santowski still compiled a 14-5 record while earning Second Team All-ODAC honors, finishing as the ODAC runner-up at 197 pounds and placing fourth once again at the NCAA Regional Championships.

Off the mat, Santowski excelled academically as a Biology major with a minor in Poverty and Human Capability Studies, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. He was awarded the James Jinkins Livesay, M.D. Premedical Award by the Health Professions Advisory Committee and served his community through volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Campus Kitchen and Rockbridge Christmas Baskets. He also participated as a Summer Research Scholar in the Biology Department.

Santowski’s academic honors include being an eight-time W&L Scholar-Athlete, four-time NWCA Scholar All-American, two-time ODAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a College Sports Communicators Third Team Academic All-American.

Wink Glasgow Sport and Sportsmanship Award

Senior women’s track and field standout Bailey Hedgemon has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wink Glasgow Spirit & Sportsmanship Award following an accomplished career defined by athletic excellence, leadership and service.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Hedgemon has played an integral role in the success of the Washington and Lee women’s track and field program throughout her four years in Lexington. She currently holds program records in the indoor weight throw and outdoor hammer throw and has established herself as one of the top throwers in Division III.

During the 2026 indoor season, Hedgemon qualified for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships in the weight throw and earned First Team All-America honors with a fifth-place finish. This spring, she continued her historic run by breaking her own program record in the hammer throw multiple times and securing qualification for the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Over the course of her career, Hedgemon has captured six ODAC event championships, earned 11 All-ODAC honors and collected four All-Region citations. She has helped lead the Generals to four ODAC team championships and was named the USTFCCCA South Region Field Athlete of the Year.

Off the track, Hedgemon has been heavily involved both on campus and within the broader student-athlete community. The Neuroscience major serves as President of PMAC, is a member of 24 and SABU, participates in campus research initiatives and represented both Washington and Lee and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference at the 2025 NCAA Convention.

Head coach Dana Freeman praised Hedgemon’s impact beyond competition.

“Bailey embodies the true spirit of this award,” Freeman said. “She works tirelessly to advocate for and support fellow student-athletes at W&L and across the ODAC. If you have been near the throws area at a meet, you have heard her constant encouragement of fellow competitors as she elevates everyone around her and represents the program with integrity and enthusiasm.”

W&L ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT AWARDS

Athlete of the Year Award

Senior women’s basketball standout Mary Schleusner has been named the recipient of the fifth annual Athlete of the Year Award following another historic season for the Generals.

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Schleusner capped her illustrious collegiate career with one of the most dominant individual seasons in Division III women’s basketball history. Starting all 31 games for Washington and Lee, she averaged 21.2 points per game, the seventh-highest mark in Division III, while her 17.0 rebounds per contest ranked fourth nationally. She also finished second in Division III in both field goals made and field goals attempted and led the nation in double-doubles for a third consecutive season with 29.

Schleusner earned ODAC Player of the Year and ODAC Defensive Player of the Year honors while also being named the Most Outstanding Player of the ODAC Tournament and a member of the All-Tournament Team for the third time in her career. She helped guide the Generals to their third ODAC championship in four seasons.

The 2025-26 campaign also featured several historic milestones. On Dec. 21, Schleusner became the first basketball player in Washington and Lee history, men’s or women’s, to surpass 2,000 career points. She broke the NCAA Division III career rebounding record on Jan. 21 and, one week later, became the Division III all-time leader in career double-doubles. On Feb. 28, she added another milestone by becoming the all-time leading scorer in ODAC history, regardless of gender.

Behind Schleusner’s leadership, the Generals finished the season with a 31-1 overall record, an ODAC championship and a trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals. The team also broke five program records, remained ranked in the national top 10 throughout the season and concluded the year ranked No. 5 in Division III.

For her accomplishments, Schleusner was named the D3hoops.com Region 6 Player of the Year and D3hoops.com National Player of the Year. She also earned First Team All-America honors from both D3hoops.com and the WBCA and was awarded the prestigious 2026 Jostens Trophy.

Outstanding First-Year Athlete Award - Men's Sport
 

First-year baseball standout Alex Caywood has been named the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding First-Year Men’s Sport Athlete Award following a record-setting debut season for the Generals.

A native of Chantilly, Virginia, Caywood made an immediate impact at the top of Washington and Lee’s lineup and quickly established himself as one of the top hitters in both the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and Division III baseball.

He opened his collegiate career with a 19-game hitting streak, recording 10 multi-hit performances during that stretch. His strongest week of the season came in early April when he batted 9-for-13 with three extra-base hits, six walks and five RBIs, highlighted by a five-hit performance against Roanoke. Following the week, he was named to the D3baseball.com Team of the Week.

Caywood started all 36 games for the Generals this season and finished with a .425 batting average, 54 hits, 51 runs scored, 19 doubles and 34 RBIs, while reaching base safely in every game. He led W&L in batting average, runs scored, doubles, extra-base hits, multi-hit games and on-base percentage, while ranking second on the team in both hits and RBIs.

Among the ODAC leaders, Caywood ranked second in batting average and on-base percentage and third in doubles. Nationally, he finished 10th in Division III in on-base percentage and 15th in doubles.

For his efforts, Caywood earned First Team All-ODAC honors and joined Washington and Lee Athletics Hall of Famer Christian Batcheller as the only first-year players in program history to earn First Team All-Conference recognition.

Outstanding First-Year Athlete Award - Women's Sport

First-year women’s golfer Toral Bhatt has been named the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding First-Year Women’s Sport Athlete Award following an outstanding debut season for the Generals.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bhatt made an immediate impact on the Washington and Lee women’s golf program and emerged as one of the team’s top contributors throughout the season.

Entering the NCAA Division III Championships, Bhatt ranks 40th nationally and 13th in the region with an adjusted scoring average of 74.0 across 19 rounds played. She has competed in eight tournaments this season, recording five top-25 finishes and three top-10 performances.

Bhatt closed the regular season in dominant fashion, winning or tying for first place in each of her last two tournaments. At the Stith Invitational, she earned co-medalist honors after shooting 1-over par across the 54-hole event.

She followed that performance by capturing the individual title at the 2026 ODAC Women’s Golf Championship, where she set program records for both lowest 54-hole score and lowest 54-hole score to par, finishing the tournament at even par. For her efforts, Bhatt was named the ODAC Rookie of the Year, earned First Team All-ODAC honors and was selected to the All-Tournament Team.

Bhatt is currently competing with the Generals at the NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships in California.

W&L ATHLETICS COMMUNITY AWARDS

R.E. "Chub" Yeakel Memorial Service Award

Jared King, a member of Washington and Lee University’s outdoor facilities crew, has been named the recipient of the 2026 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.

King earned the recognition following another exceptional year supporting Washington and Lee Athletics through his work in facilities and field maintenance. His efforts helped enhance the overall student-athlete experience while maintaining some of the top athletic playing surfaces in the region.

Head women’s soccer coach Tiffany Pins praised King’s dedication and impact across the department.

“Jared King has demonstrated exceptional dedication to enhancing the student-athlete experience through his work in facilities and field maintenance,” Pins said. “His commitment to excellence is evident in the quality of Washington and Lee’s athletic surfaces, which earned recognition as the 2025 Virginia Sports Field Management Association Field of the Year.”

King consistently went above and beyond in preparing and maintaining competition venues, ensuring Washington and Lee teams competed on premier playing surfaces throughout the year.

“Jared consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that teams compete on top-tier playing surfaces, investing significant time and effort into field preparation, maintenance and presentation,” Pins added. “His attention to detail—highlighted through personalized touches such as decorative field designs and senior jersey recognitions—adds a meaningful layer to the student-athlete experience.”

His work also played a critical role in the successful hosting of numerous ODAC and NCAA postseason events during the year.

“His work was instrumental in successfully hosting multiple ODAC and NCAA tournament contests, showcasing both the university and its athletic facilities at the highest level,” Pins said. “Jared’s professionalism, pride in his work and commitment to student-athletes make him a vital contributor to the success of W&L Athletics.”

J.L. "Lefty" Newell Memorial Award

Campbell Fitzhugh has been named the recipient of the 2026 Lefty Newell Award, presented annually to a non-playing student who has served Washington and Lee athletic teams as an exceptional volunteer and contributed meaningfully to their success. Established in 1984, the award recognizes outstanding commitment and support behind the scenes.

A Business Administration major with a minor in Journalism and Strategic Communications, Fitzhugh has served as a women’s basketball student assistant for the past four years and has become an indispensable part of the program’s success and daily operations.

Head women’s basketball coach Brittney Kemp praised Fitzhugh’s lasting impact on the program throughout her time in Lexington.

“Campbell has been an indispensable presence within the program over the past four years, serving as the backbone of countless operations that contribute to team success,” Kemp said. “She has gone far beyond the expectations of a student assistant, consistently stepping into roles that support both the student-athlete experience and the coaching staff.”

Fitzhugh handled a wide range of responsibilities during her four years with the Generals, including managing social media content, producing highlight videos, handling in-game statistics, organizing travel logistics and assisting with practice operations.

“From managing social media content and producing highlight videos to handling in-game statistics, organizing travel logistics and assisting with practice operations, Campbell has approached every responsibility with professionalism and enthusiasm,” Kemp said. “Her commitment is unmatched—rarely missing a practice or game and even traveling with the team during academic breaks to ensure continuity and support.”

Beyond her operational responsibilities, Fitzhugh became a trusted and valued presence for both coaches and student-athletes.

“Campbell’s impact extends well beyond logistics,” Kemp added. “She has been a trusted presence for both coaches and student-athletes, offering support, positivity and a genuine care for the success of others. Her ability to lead through service and her embodiment of the program’s core values have made her a defining contributor to the culture of the team. Her dedication, energy and selfless approach have left a lasting mark on the program.”

Richard Miller Physical Education Scholarship

Danny Morales Bautista has been named the recipient of the 2026 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 physical education requirement by the end of the winter term of their junior year.

Morales Bautista earned the recognition following an outstanding performance in multiple physical education courses, including Fundamentals of Swimming and Aerobic Swimming.

Assistant swimming coach Alex Henderson praised Morales Bautista for his dedication and growth throughout both courses.

“Danny did a phenomenal job,” Henderson said. “He had great attendance, made amazing progress in both classes and was enjoyable to teach and work with. I appreciated his willingness to try uncomfortable things and support other classmates.”

Morales Bautista’s commitment, positive attitude and encouragement of his peers exemplified the spirit of the Richard Miller Physical Education Department Award.