CASTLETON, Vt. – Members of the Vermont State University Castleton community gathered on Monday afternoon to honor especially deserving members of the student population, including several Spartan student-athletes who earned awards related to academics, athletics, and student life.
The Castleton athletic department handed out its six annual major awards: the Male and Female Coaches Awards, the Rocky Mezzetta Award, the Sharon Brown Memorial Award, the John Young Memorial Award, and the Mary Ellen Evans Award.
Michael O'Connor of the men's soccer team and Jess Smithson of the field hockey team were named the Male and Female Coaches Award winners for the 2025–26 academic year. This award is given to varsity athletes who have shown leadership, determination, sportsmanship, coachability, a willingness to give of themselves, and a sense of responsibility to their team, coaches, and the University throughout the year.
O'Connor is a four-year member of the men's soccer team, which he led as a co-captain this season. The senior midfielder logged a career-high 12 points, including five goals and two assists. In a standout performance against Paul Smith's College, he recorded three points with a goal and an assist. He also scored the game-winning goal in the Spartans' 1-0 victory over SUNY Potsdam and finished the season with 1,569 minutes played. He wrapped up his career with eight goals and four assists for 20 points across 73 games and was named to the 2025 Little East Conference All-LEC Second Team.
Smithson concludes a stellar playing career as the Female Coaches Award recipient, having played four seasons for the Spartans. She served as a captain during her senior season, posting a career-best 11 defensive saves, the second-most in the Little East Conference, while also contributing 12 points (five goals, two assists), ranking third on the team.
Smithson graduates with three All-LEC First Team selections, two NFHCA All-Region honors, two LEC Defensive Player of the Year awards, and four LEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. She is tied for eighth in career assists (23) in the Castleton record book.
This season alone, she was named to the NFHCA Division III All-Region Second Team, the All-LEC First Team, and LEC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while also earning Team MVP honors. She has led by example with a strong work ethic, coachability, and sportsmanship while representing her program with pride. In addition to her time on the field hockey team, she has served as a team manager for the wrestling program.
For the second consecutive year, a wrestler earned the Rocky Mezzetta Award, as Jashon Holmes was selected. This award is given to a male student-athlete who demonstrates determination to succeed, a commitment to improving skills, coachability, and team leadership. Holmes was a four-year starter at Castleton, a regional finalist, and a national qualifier who has accumulated over 100 career wins and is a three-time regional place-winner. He has also worked in the admissions office for three years and is a valued presence on campus. Holmes is a leader who guides through both his voice and actions.
The Sharon Brown Memorial Award is given to a female athlete who relates well to peers and coaches, shows a desire to learn and excel, and demonstrates dedication, persistence, and team leadership while maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher. This year's recipient is Karli Martin.
Martin, who boasts a 3.60 GPA, leads by example and is respected not only within the Castleton community but also by opposing programs. She represents the college in an exemplary manner and serves as SAAC president, helping coordinate and run student-athlete initiatives. She recently placed third at the Little East Conference Outdoor Championships in the hammer throw with a career-best mark of 44.13 meters, earning third-team All-LEC honors.
Will Radcliff was named the John Young Memorial Award winner, an honor given to a men's or women's basketball player who demonstrates leadership, offensive ability, a positive attitude, and an interest in pursuing teaching and/or coaching.
Radcliff put together one of the most complete seasons in recent program history. The senior led the Spartans in scoring, rebounding, minutes, and field goal percentage, finishing with 488 points and 224 rebounds while recording seven double-doubles and a career-high 36-point performance.
He earned Little East Conference Player of the Week honors and was named to the All-LEC Second Team as well as the LEC All-Academic Team. He finished the season ranked fifth in the conference in scoring and second in rebounding.
Radcliff also surpassed 1,000 career points against Keene State, becoming the 27th player in program history to reach the milestone. He now totals 1,115 points and 648 rebounds, ranking 21st all-time in scoring and ninth in rebounds, with another year of eligibility remaining. He was also named the 2025–26 Team MVP.
Claiming the Mary Ellen Evans Award was Maggie McKearin of the women's basketball and soccer teams. This award is given to an outstanding female athlete who has competed for four years in a sport, provided service to the University community, and maintained a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
McKearin proved deserving after competing for four years in both programs while maintaining a 3.70 GPA as a nursing major. On the basketball court, she appeared in 25 games, making 18 starts, and averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while leading the team with 52 steals.
On the pitch, she appeared in 18 games with 17 starts and recorded her first-career hat trick against MCLA on September 17. She finished the season with 22 points on nine goals and four assists, earning All-LEC Third Team honors. She was also named to the Fall LEC All-Academic Team.
Collecting SGA awards were:
Olivia Howard (Good Citizen Award), Karli Martin (Outstanding Third Year), Sharon Aganah (Outstanding Graduate Student), Moa Carlsson (International Student of the Year), Quan Johnson (Executive Board Member of the Year), and Ellen Wambui (Military Personnel of the Year).
Earning Academic Awards of Excellence were:
Becky Hannwacker (Athletic Training), Emilie Stene (Business Administration), Sharon Aganah (Health Science), Ginny Trevesian (Natural Science), and Sierra McDermott (Sport Management).
Student Life Awards went to Rachel Doty-Snay (Victoria Angus Outstanding Orientation Staff Award), Gavin Bradley and Quan Johnson (University Service Award), and Sharon Aganah (Abel E. Levenworth Leadership Award).
Brandon Ramirez was named the Graduate Assistant of the Year, while Scott Legacy was named Coach of the Year.
