SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University Athletic Department recognized and celebrated the achievements of its student-athletes at its ninth annual Cougar Nation Athletic (CNA) Awards, presented by TRUE Community Credit Union, on Sunday evening.
The CNA Awards is a formal, red-carpet event modeled from the well-known ESPYS and created to give the department an opportunity to celebrate and honor the academic, athletic and community excellence achieved by all SAU student-athletes. Awards ranged from the Athletes of the Year to Performance of the Year and Academic Teams of the Year. Nominations for each award were submitted and voted on by the SAU Athletics staff, coaches and trainers.
In total, 28 awards were handed out to individuals and teams across the department. Among the prominent awards given were the TRUE Community Credit Union Senior Athletes of the Year as well as the Junior, Sophomore and Freshman Athletes of the Year.
A complete list of award winners for the 2026 CNA Awards is listed below:
2026 CNA AWARD WINNERS
First Lady Spirit of Sport Award: Julia Mitchell (Women's Volleyball)
Michigan International Speedway Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Isa Martinez (Women's Soccer), Dante Favor (Men's Basketball)
Academic Teams of the Year: Women's Volleyball, Men's Golf
FM Financial Play/Performance of the Year: Kayla Tafanelli (Women's Bowling)
FM Financial Community Impact Award: Men's and Women's Track & Field
Most Likely to be in the Training Room: Aiden Avalos (Men's Soccer)
Michigan International Speedway Student Assistant / Manager of the Year: Karson Schroeder (Men's Basketball)
Gene Davis & Sons Catering Reserve Players of the Year: Leveesa Clark (Women's Basketball), John Vissia (Men's Soccer)
Biggby Coffee Glue Gal Award: Grace Lentz (Softball)
Biggby Coffee Glue Guy Award: Ty Rykse (Men's Basketball)
Pure Michigan Realty Cougar Champion Award: Natasha Bickel (Women's Volleyball), Eli White (Men's Basketball)
Homer Jackson Legacy Award: Reagan Kohler (Women's Soccer), Aiden Brunin (Baseball)
Topline Apparel Women's Team of the Year: Women's Basketball
Kutcha's Men's Team of the Year: Men's Bowling
Staff Member of the Year: Lorie Cornell
Freshman Athletes of the Year: Mackenzie Pilny (Women's Bowling), Jack Bruder (Men's Track & Field)
Sophomore Athletes of the Year: Megan Zeitz (Women's Basketball), Joey Tessmer (Baseball)
Junior Athletes of the Year: Kayla Tafanelli (Women's Bowling), Camden Khon (Men's Cross Country / Track & Field)
TRUE Community Credit Union Senior Athletes of the Year: Kendall Bollenbacher (Women's Volleyball), Jacob Singleton (Men's Cross Country / Track & Field)
