Washington State University Athletics
Photo by: Ashley Davis
WSU Athletics Honors 2026 Senior Student-Athletes
May 09, 2026 | Baseball, Cross Country, Football, WSU Athletics, Track, Women's Basketball, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Men's Golf, Women's Golf, Rowing, Swimming
PULLMAN, Wash. (May 8, 2026) -Â Washington State University Athletics honored its senior student-athletes at its annual Senior Recognition Luncheon Friday afternoon at the Alger Family Club Room at Gesa Field.
The luncheon highlighted the academic and athletic contributions of this year's senior class of Cougar student-athletes.
Twenty-four student-athletes were recognized for the Senior Excellence in Academics Award, given to seniors who have earned a minimum of 90 credits with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, been members of the WSU Athletics All-Academic Team each semester, enrolled at WSU for at least two years, and excelled in their degree program and sport program. This year's recipients are Brock Blatter (baseball), Luke Meyers (baseball), Gavin Roy (baseball), Ryan Skjonsby (baseball), Gavin Fugate (football), Leyton Smithson (football), Andrew Edson (football), Ben Borgida (men's golf), Tayettin Brodzinski (rowing), Sam Eden (rowing), Jaeve Proberts (rowing), Natalie Spring (rowing), Clara Anderson (swimming), Skylar Brgoch (swimming), Anna Rauchholz (swimming), Lauren Wille (swimming), Eva Alvarez Sande (tennis), Maxine Murphy (tennis), Eli Lawrence (men's track and field), Ferran Verges (men's track), Maya Nichols (women's track), Madisyn Negro (women's track and field) and Riley Pyeatt (women's track).
The Cougar Pride Academic salute is awarded to one male and one female senior who has maintained over a 3.00 cumulative GPA and has displayed exceptional academic, athletic and outstanding personal qualities. This year's award winners are Emily Lundgren (swimming) and Sam Renner (men's golf).Â
Jean Chiu (women's basketball) was presented the Athletic Director's Star Performer Award, given to a senior student-athlete who best reflect a commitment to academic improvement leading to successful completion of their degree.
Lauren Wille (swimming) as presented the Steve Gleason Community Service and Leadership Award, given to those who have demonstrated strong citizenship skills and leadership qualities within their team and throughout the athletic department and community.
The Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) True Cougar Award was presented to Jonny Lester (football). Â This award is presented to a senior student-athlete who started their WSU career as non-scholarship student-athlete, and who, to their respective team, define leadership, commitment to excellence and Cougar Pride.
The Damien Ficek Athletic Training Award was presented to male and/or female senior student-athletes who are humble, hard working in the training room and have overcome physical and/or other personal challenges to succeed at WSU. The award is presented in memory of former WSU athletic training student Damien Ficek, whose life came to an end in 2004 while serving his country in Iraq. This year's award winner are Clara Anderson (swimming) and Jonny Lester (football).
The Rob Oviatt and David Lang Strength and Conditioning Award is presented to one male and one female senior student-athlete who possess a great commitment to training, are accountable to his/her workout, lead by example and show an overall improvement in the weight room. Honoring the work ethic and training ideals of former WSU Directors of Physical Development Rob Oviatt and David Lang. This year's recipients are Clara Anderson (swimming) and Sam Renner (men's golf).
Maxine Murphy (tennis) and Jack Procter (football) were named as recipients of the Beulah M. Blankenship Outstanding Student-Athlete Award, given to acknowledge personal achievements of a senior male and female student-athlete at WSU. The award recognizes contributions to the highest values of athletic expression by sportsmanship, dedication and positive regard for others.
The Cougar Athletics Leadership Award recognizes the senior student-athletes who have impacted a positive change within his/her sport, the athletics department, Washington State campus, at the conference and/or national level, as well as the greater Pullman community. The recipient of the Cougar Athletics Leadership Award has been a consistent voice while representing the student-athlete experience at WSU. The recipients have also demonstrated personal growth and development through active participation in student-athlete development programming such as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, leadership and peer academic counseling and mentoring programs, and community engagement activities. This year's recipient is Ben Borgida (men's golf).
The WSU Alumni Association Top Ten Senior Award recognizes the most qualified 10 students from across the campus, each representing a specific aspect of the college experience. The categories are academics, athletics, campus involvement, community service and visual/performing arts. This year's athletics recipients are Ben Borgida (men's golf) and Emily Lundgren (swimming).
Graduation at Washington State takes place Saturday, May 9.Â
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The luncheon highlighted the academic and athletic contributions of this year's senior class of Cougar student-athletes.
Twenty-four student-athletes were recognized for the Senior Excellence in Academics Award, given to seniors who have earned a minimum of 90 credits with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, been members of the WSU Athletics All-Academic Team each semester, enrolled at WSU for at least two years, and excelled in their degree program and sport program. This year's recipients are Brock Blatter (baseball), Luke Meyers (baseball), Gavin Roy (baseball), Ryan Skjonsby (baseball), Gavin Fugate (football), Leyton Smithson (football), Andrew Edson (football), Ben Borgida (men's golf), Tayettin Brodzinski (rowing), Sam Eden (rowing), Jaeve Proberts (rowing), Natalie Spring (rowing), Clara Anderson (swimming), Skylar Brgoch (swimming), Anna Rauchholz (swimming), Lauren Wille (swimming), Eva Alvarez Sande (tennis), Maxine Murphy (tennis), Eli Lawrence (men's track and field), Ferran Verges (men's track), Maya Nichols (women's track), Madisyn Negro (women's track and field) and Riley Pyeatt (women's track).
The Cougar Pride Academic salute is awarded to one male and one female senior who has maintained over a 3.00 cumulative GPA and has displayed exceptional academic, athletic and outstanding personal qualities. This year's award winners are Emily Lundgren (swimming) and Sam Renner (men's golf).Â
Jean Chiu (women's basketball) was presented the Athletic Director's Star Performer Award, given to a senior student-athlete who best reflect a commitment to academic improvement leading to successful completion of their degree.
Lauren Wille (swimming) as presented the Steve Gleason Community Service and Leadership Award, given to those who have demonstrated strong citizenship skills and leadership qualities within their team and throughout the athletic department and community.
The Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) True Cougar Award was presented to Jonny Lester (football). Â This award is presented to a senior student-athlete who started their WSU career as non-scholarship student-athlete, and who, to their respective team, define leadership, commitment to excellence and Cougar Pride.
The Damien Ficek Athletic Training Award was presented to male and/or female senior student-athletes who are humble, hard working in the training room and have overcome physical and/or other personal challenges to succeed at WSU. The award is presented in memory of former WSU athletic training student Damien Ficek, whose life came to an end in 2004 while serving his country in Iraq. This year's award winner are Clara Anderson (swimming) and Jonny Lester (football).
The Rob Oviatt and David Lang Strength and Conditioning Award is presented to one male and one female senior student-athlete who possess a great commitment to training, are accountable to his/her workout, lead by example and show an overall improvement in the weight room. Honoring the work ethic and training ideals of former WSU Directors of Physical Development Rob Oviatt and David Lang. This year's recipients are Clara Anderson (swimming) and Sam Renner (men's golf).
Maxine Murphy (tennis) and Jack Procter (football) were named as recipients of the Beulah M. Blankenship Outstanding Student-Athlete Award, given to acknowledge personal achievements of a senior male and female student-athlete at WSU. The award recognizes contributions to the highest values of athletic expression by sportsmanship, dedication and positive regard for others.
The Cougar Athletics Leadership Award recognizes the senior student-athletes who have impacted a positive change within his/her sport, the athletics department, Washington State campus, at the conference and/or national level, as well as the greater Pullman community. The recipient of the Cougar Athletics Leadership Award has been a consistent voice while representing the student-athlete experience at WSU. The recipients have also demonstrated personal growth and development through active participation in student-athlete development programming such as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, leadership and peer academic counseling and mentoring programs, and community engagement activities. This year's recipient is Ben Borgida (men's golf).
The WSU Alumni Association Top Ten Senior Award recognizes the most qualified 10 students from across the campus, each representing a specific aspect of the college experience. The categories are academics, athletics, campus involvement, community service and visual/performing arts. This year's athletics recipients are Ben Borgida (men's golf) and Emily Lundgren (swimming).
Graduation at Washington State takes place Saturday, May 9.Â
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Players Mentioned
/ Tennis
FREE/FLY
/ Swimming
RHP
/ Baseball
/ Men's Golf
FLY/FREE
/ Swimming
G
/ Women's Basketball
/ Rowing
LB
/ Football
/ Track
OL
/ Football
BREAST/IM
/ Swimming
RHP
/ Baseball
/ Tennis
/ Track
/ Track
/ Rowing
DE
/ Football
/ Track
BACK
/ Swimming
/ Men's Golf
MIF
/ Baseball
CIF
/ Baseball
WR
/ Football
/ Rowing
/ Track
BREAST/FREE
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