SWANNANOA, N.C. – Warren Wilson College Athletics gathered in Canon Lounge on May 1 for the 2026 Athletics Banquet, celebrating the accomplishments, leadership and dedication of Owl student-athletes across all programs.
Vice President of Student Engagement and Dean of Students Gilbert Hinga opened the evening with welcoming remarks before Director of Athletics Robin Owens introduced keynote speaker Evan Snelling, Director of Inclusive Excellence and Student Success.
Snelling shared his journey from being one of Georgia's top high school basketball prospects with multiple Division I offers to overcoming a life-changing accident during his senior year of high school. After being struck by a car, Snelling endured years of rehabilitation and surgeries before rebuilding his path through higher education and student leadership. His message focused on perseverance, purpose and the importance of education beyond athletics.
The evening continued with the presentation of team awards, recognizing student-athletes for leadership, dedication, athletic excellence and commitment to their teams.
Fighting Owl Award Winners
The Fighting Owl Award recognizes perseverance, leadership, dedication and commitment to team culture throughout the season.
Most Valuable Player Award Winners
Several student-athletes earned recognition across multiple sports and award categories throughout the evening. Bella Sosa earned MVP honors in both women's cross country and women's track and field, while Sarina Maki was recognized in both swimming and triathlon. Sydney Weber and Adolfo Castrejon each earned both team and major departmental honors.
Major Department Awards
Andy Summers Award
Recognizing the Heart of a Champion
Kevin Omolo Award
Recognizing Academic and Athletic Excellence
Klein Seeholtz Award
Recognizing Athletic Achievement
Donna Read Award
Recognizing Champion of Athletics, Spirit of Community and Competition
Athletic Director Award
The banquet also recognized this year's Iron Owl winners, awarded to the teams that demonstrated excellence in strength and conditioning throughout the year.
- Men's Basketball / Men's Lacrosse
- Women's Lacrosse / Women's Basketball
The annual banquet served as both a celebration of accomplishments and a reflection on the connections built through athletics during the academic year. From conference standouts and national-level performances to leadership, academic excellence and community impact, the evening highlighted the many ways Warren Wilson student-athletes continue to shape the culture of Owl Athletics.
