Conley Burns (Volleyball) averaged 3.31 kills per set and 2.27 digs per set, with her kills per set average the best of any first-year Clarkson player since 2012. Recorded 29 kills in a match, the highest output by any Liberty League player since 2019.
Kate Manness (Hockey) ECAC First-Team All-Star and unanimous selection to ECAC All-Rookie Team, ranked third in conference in assists (26) and was tied for 14th in points (32).
Karli Scherpf (Lacrosse) Started all but one game in midfield during first season, ranking third on team in goals (26) and fourth in points (34). Also leads team in draw controls (47) and fourth in groundballs (20) and third in caused turnovers (15).
And the winner of the 2026 Clarkson Female Rookie of the Year Award went to Kate Manness. An ECAC Hockey First-Team All-Star and a unanimous ECAC Hockey All-Rookie team selection, Kate ranked third in the conference in assists with 26 and was 14th in points with 32, doing so from the blue line as a first line defender. Kate was a finalist for ECAC Defender of the Year, was the ECAC Defender of the Month for January, and earned ECAC Weekly Honors 3 times this season.
The
Male Rookie of the Year Award is an award voted on by members of the athletic department and given to a male athlete in her first year of collegiate competition that has brought a high level of recognition to themselves, their team and our university. Qualities such as academic integrity, sportsmanship and leadership are also criteria for this award.
The nominees were:
Nate Abernethy (Basketball) Started all 25 games, averaging 14.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 44.6% from the floor. Ranked 13th in conference in scoring, 13th in rebounding, and 11th in field goal percentage, as well as 8th in blocks per game. Scored in double figures 18 times.
Will Goyette (Lacrosse) Has played in all 13 games, making 10 starts as midfielder. Currently in a tie for third on team in points (21) and is tied for fifth in goals (13) and is tied for third in assists with eight. Has also produced 18 groundballs and caused six turnovers.
Aleska Lalic (Alpine) Had top finish in the giant slalom for Golden Knights (4th out of 128 ) at USCSA Nationals to help Knights with GS National title. Placed 44th overall at USCSA Nationals. Was seventh at USCSA Eastern Regionals with two top-10 finishes, and was MacConnell Division All-Star.
Evan Paneras (Swimming) Broke near 29-year program record in 100 butterfly in December as well as record in 200 butterfly. Finished third at Liberty League Championships in both the 100 fly and 200 fly and was also ninth in the conference in the 200 individual medley.
Noah Partenza (Soccer) Regular contributor for Knights, playing in all 17 games with 12 starting nods. Midfielder ranked second on team in goals (3) and points (7) while also placing among team leaders in shots (15) and shots on goal (9).
Owen Van Steensel (Hockey) Played in all 38 games for Golden Knights, leading team in goals scored with 12, tying for second with 13 assists, and ranking second in points (25). Also was fourth on team in shots registering 82.
The winner of the 2026 Clarkson Male Rookie of the Year Award goes to Evan Paneras. An immediate impact performer for the Golden Knights, Evan broke several long standing records back in December, then topped his own marks in February, breaking a 29-year-old school mark in the 100 butterfly. He finished third in both the 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly at the 2026 Liberty League Championships and was ninth in the 200 individual medley.
The Scholar Athlete awards are presented to one female and one male athlete in recognition of outstanding academic and athletic achievement. All students with at least junior status, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible for this award. Additional criteria include athletic achievement and co-curricular activities.
The nominees for
Female Scholar Athlete were:
Maeve Bartell - Civil Engineering/Environmental Engineering (Lacrosse) Maive has started all 16 games on defense for Knights, producing two points (one goal/one assist), She contributed 23 groundballs and 13 caused turnovers, with the latter figure ranking fourth on the team.
Sena Catterall - Chemical Engineering/MBA (Hockey) Sena scored her 100th career point for Golden Knights and was named ECAC Hockey Third-Team All Star. Tied for 11th in conference in total points with 33 (17 goals and 16 assists) and was tied for 9th in goals (17).
Ashley Currier - Mechanical Engineering (Volleyball) Versatile player that contributed as team's main setter (7.09 assists per game) as well as adding in 0.95 kills per set. Also ranked third on team in digs per set (2.50) and was second on teams in blocks per set (0.61).
Elyse Donaghue - Mechanical Engineering (Alpine Ski) Finished 58th overall at USCSA Nationals and was 21st in the slalom. At USCSA Eastern Regionals, finished second overall (3rd in giant slalom, 6th in slalom). Named MacConnell Division All-Star.
Paige Ford - Engineering & Management (Soccer) Started all 15 games as a senior, ranking second on team in both points (9) and goals (4) wh
ile tying for second on team in shots (18). Played offensive after spending most of her career as defenders.
Fallon Griffin - Healthcare/Psychology (Basketball) Liberty League Third-Team All-Star, led conference in scoring at 14.8 points per game thanks to strong finish. Ranked third in conference in 3-pointers made (64), which is tied for fourth most made in a single season at Clarkson.
The winner of the 2026 Clarkson Female Scholar Athlete of the Year Award goes to Maeve Bartell. With a 3.962 a double major in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, Maeve has served as a four-year defensive starter for the Golden Knights, contributing 79 groundballs and 37 caused turnovers over the course of her career, as well as six points on five goals and one assist as a defender.
The
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year award is presented to one male athlete in recognition of outstanding academic and athletic achievement. All students with at least junior status, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible for this award. Additional criteria include athletic achievement and co-curricular activities.
The nominees were:
Braeden Burns -Applied Mathematics & Statistics (Basketball) Named Liberty League All-Star for second straight season. Ranked fourth in conference in scoring average (17.0 ppg), 11th in rebounding, fourth in field goal percentage, and 13th in steals. Became 10th player in program history to reach 1000 points in three seasons.
Jack Garvey - Biology/Healthcare (Lacrosse) Has started all 13 games and emerged as one of top defenders in conference, averaging 2.46 caused turnovers per game, which ranks first in the Liberty League. Producing 2.33 caused turnovers per game in six league contests, second in conference.
Kyle Otis -Software Engineering (Soccer) Was named Liberty League Second-Team All-Star as junior and was solid again as senior, starting 14 times in 15 games and playing 1264 minutes on pitch, second among field players. Top defender on team that allowed fewer than a goal per game for fourth straight year.
Tristan Sarsland - Financial Information & Analysis (Hockey) Team captain and leader of young squad, played in 38 games and helped lead 8th-seeded team to Lake Placid with 16 points on six goals and 10 assists. Finished career with 57 points on 20 goals and 37 assists. Signed an NHL Contract with the San Jose Sharks as soon as the season ended for the Knights.
Jacob Shirley - Mechanical Engineering (Baseball) Currently second in conference in strikeouts (60) and innings (49.1). Also ranks seventh in league in opponents batting average (.236) Ranks 34th nationally in strikeout to walk ratio (5.45 - 60 strikeouts to 11 walks)
Matthew Sitarek - Mechanical Engineering (Swimming) Steady scorer for Knights in dual meets and participated in three finals at Liberty League Championships. Finished 11th in 100 breaststroke, 14th in 200 breaststroke, and was 16th in the 400 individual medley at conference meet.
And the winner of the 2026 Clarkson Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award goes to Jacob Shirley. With a flawless 4.00 GPA in mechanical engineering, Jacob served as a reliable weekend starter for the Golden Knights this year, tossing 58.1 innings and striking out 67 batters, figures that both ranked second in the Liberty League through the final regular season contests.
The
Female Athlete of the Year Award is voted on by the members of the athletic department and given to a female athlete that has brought a high level of recognition to themselves, their team and our University. Qualities such as academic integrity, sportsmanship and leadership are also criteria for this award.
Gabby Cranfield (Lacrosse) Ranks second in Liberty League in points per game (5.06) and tops conference in assists per game (2.81). Cranfield is currently 23rd nationally in assists per game, tied for 11th in total assists, tied for 49th in points per game and is t-24th in total points.
Fallon Griffin (Basketball) Liberty League Third-Team All-Star, led conference in scoring at 14.8 points per game thanks to strong finish. Ranked third in conference in 3-pointers made (64), which is tied for fourth most made in a single season at Clarkson.
Sara Manness (Hockey) ECAC Player of the Year, ECAC Forward of the Year, ECAC Rookie of the Year, and ECAC First-Team All-Star. Also shared HCA Rookie of the Year Award across women's hockey. Tied for sixth nationally in points (52), tied for sixth in assists (31), and was 15th with 21 goals
And the winner of the 2026 Clarkson Female Athlete of the Year award is Sara Manness. Awards season was busy for Sara as she was picked as the HCA Co-Rookie of the Year as the top first-year player in all of Division I hockey, as well as being selected ECAC Player of the Year, ECAC Forward of the Year, ECAC Rookie of the Year, and a unanimous ECAC All-Rookie team selection. Sara ranked sixth in the country in points with 52 and sixth in assists with 31.
The
Male Athlete of the Year Award is voted on by the members of the athletic department and given to a female athlete that has brought a high level of recognition to themselves, their team and our University. Qualities such as academic integrity, sportsmanship and leadership are also criteria for this award.
The nominees were:
Edouard Brochu (Alpine) USCSA All-American (2nd Team overall) and in Giant Slalom (1st Team), helping Knights win GS National Championship. Was sixth overall at nationals and ninth overall at USCSA Eastern Regionals. Named MacConnell Division All-Star for second straight season.
Braeden Burns (Basketball) Named Liberty League All-Star for second straight season. Ranked fourth in conference in scoring average (17.0 ppg), 11th in rebounding, fourth in field goal percentage, and 13th in steals. Became 10th player in program history to reach 1000 points in three seasons.
Matt Clarner (Cross Country/Nordic) USCSA All-American (2nd Team overall) and in 7.5K Classic/15K Freestyle (1st Team, both) Regularly top performer for Knights, winning four races in final four weekends of season. First season on XC team, finished 4th at Cross Country-Only Championships, was 34th at Liberty League Championships, and 86th at NCAA Mideast Regionals.
Griffin Emerson (Lacrosse) Leads Liberty League in goals against average (8.72 gaa), save percentage (.609) and saves per game (13.15). Averaging 15.67 saves per game in Liberty League contests. Ranks 18th nationally in save percentage and 33rd nationally in goals against average.
Paul Rolland (Soccer) Liberty League Second-Team All-Star, becoming team's top scoring threat in second collegiate season. Started 16 times in 17 games and produced team-highs in goals (4) and points (11) while tying for team lead in assists (3). Also led team with 19 shots and 12 shots on goal.
The 2026 Clarkson Male Athlete of the Year award was shared by Braeden Burns and Griffin Emerson.
Braeden was a Liberty League All-Star for the second straight season, becoming just the 10th player in program history to reach 1000 career points in fewer than three full seasons, averaging 17.0 points per game and ranking among the conference leader in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.
Griffin has served as the backbone to the Clarkson Men's Lacrosse team's defense all year, leading the Liberty League in saves per game, save percentage, and goals against average all while being selected as a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star.
The final award given by the Clarkson University Athletic Department is the Ed Sayer Memorial Award. Ed Sayer was a member of the Clarkson University Swim team in the early 2000s, and as a senior at Clarkson, he passed away after a long and valiant battle with cystic fibrosis. With help from his mother, Tammy, and members of the swim team this award was created to keep his memory alive. This award recognizes those individuals that exemplify Edward's spirit in exhibiting compassion for their teammates, an indelible work ethic, a passion for their sport, and an appreciation of the intricacies and importance of teamwork.
Here are the nominations, in alphabetical order:
From the volleyball team: Ashley Currier
From the women's basketball team: Bella Doyle
From the men's soccer team: Carter Kladstrup
Each of these student-athletes have taken different paths to their nominations, and each received multiple votes from the coaching and athletic staff.
The winner of the 2026 Ed Sayer Memorial Award is Carter Kladstrup. Those who have played alongside Carter Kladstrup will tell you without hesitation when he walks into a room, the standard of the room rises. In his four years with the Golden Knights, he has demonstrated both humility and an intentional desire to improve. Perhaps the single most defining quality of Carter Kladstrup's career at Clarkson has been his absolute refusal to treat soccer as an individual pursuit. He has spoken often in team meetings and in casual conversation about the goalkeeper's unique responsibility to serve as the team's foundation: not its star, but its anchor, and understanding that a shutout belongs to 11 players and each of their moments and roles in the accomplishment. There are players who accumulate honors, and there are players who leave programs permanently better than they found them. Carter has done both. He departs Clarkson having rewritten the program's goalkeeping record books, having earned recognition at every level of the conference and region, and having left behind a culture of accountability, commitment, and resilience that will outlast his time on the field.
Clarkson Athletics would like to congratulate Carter and all of our nominees for everything they have done and will do that make us proud to call them Clarkson University student-athletes.
