Westminster celebrates academic, athletic accomplishments at 21st Annual WESPYS

4/27/2026 10:30:00 PM

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.--The Westminster Department of Athletics, along with its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), hosted the 21st Annual WESPY (Westminster Exceptional Sports Performances of the Year) Awards Monday night at the Will W. Orr Auditorium.

The WESPYS honored team MVPs and a variety of annual award winners while recognizing top academic and athletic achievements during the 2025-26 academic year.

Highlighting the event was the presentation of the David B. Fawcett and Marjorie A. Walker awards, which are given annually to honor and acknowledge senior student-athletes who best exemplify the qualities of fairness, sportsmanship, leadership, determination and competitiveness. Senior Dylan Sleva (McDonald, Pa., Moon), a member of the football program, was honored as the Fawcett award winner. Senior Morgan Murphy (Yardley, Pa., Villa Joseph Marie), a member of the soccer and softball programs, was recognized as this year's Walker award winner.

The following is a list of additional awards presented Monday:

WESPY Awards:
-Newcomer of the Year: freshman Quentin Goode (Aliquippa, Pa., Aliquippa) and freshman Aubrey Rock (Butler, Pa., Butler)
-Comeback Athlete of the Year: senior Trey DePietro (Boardman, Ohio, Boardman) and sophomore Maddie Syka (Darlington, Pa., Lincoln Park)
-Two-Sport Athlete of the Year: junior Jack Crider (Apollo, Pa., Kiski) and sophomore Morgan O'Brien (Coraopolis, Pa., Our Lady of the Sacred Heart)
-Sportsmanship Award: junior Hayne Webster (Wellsboro, Pa., Wellsboro) and senior Grace Askey (Dubois, Pa., Jeff Tech)
-Dar Huey Scholar-Athletes: senior Tyler Davis (Eighty Four, Pa., Ringgold) and senior Alena Taladay (Ford City, Pa., Armstrong)
-Highest Team Grade-Point Average (GPA): Men's Tennis and Women's Basketball
-Towering Titan Faculty Recognition: Prof. Todd Cole
-Team of the Year: Men's Basketball and Softball
-Weight Room Warrior: sophomore Aiden Fletcher (Tarentum, Pa., Deer Lakes) and sophomore Maddie Syka (Darlington, Pa., Lincoln Park)
-Athlete of the Year: senior Dylan Sleva (McDonald, Pa., Moon) and senior Morgan Murphy (Yardley, Pa., Villa Joseph Marie)

Fall Sport MVPs:
Men's Cross Country: freshman Nick Bender (New Castle, Pa., Neshannock)
Women's Cross Country: senior Monica Curtis (Harborcreek, Pa., Harbor Creek)
Football: senior Dylan Sleva (McDonald, Pa., Moon)
Men's Soccer: junior Orrin Milcic (Butler, Pa., Homeschooled (Knoch))
Women's Soccer: senior Amanda Lewis (Slippery Rock, Pa., Slippery Rock)
Women's Tennis: senior Christine Rossi (Jefferson Hills, Pa., Thomas Jefferson)
Women's Volleyball: sophomore Morgan O'Brien (Pittsburgh, Pa., Our Lady of the Sacred Heart)

Winter Sport MVPs:
Men's Basketball: graduate student DJ Harrell (Cleveland, Ohio, East Technical)
Women's Basketball: junior Kennedy Arison (Medina, Ohio, Akron Hoban)
Cheerleading: senior Leah Buchan (Grove City, Pa., Grove City)
Men's Indoor Track & Field: junior Jack Crider (Apollo, Pa., Kiski)
Women's Indoor Track & Field: junior Jenna Zendron (West Sunbury, Pa., Moniteau)
Men's Swimming & Diving: sophomore Jack Katigbak (North Canton, Ohio, Lake Center Christian)
Women's Swimming & Diving: junior Maddy McClain (Elizabeth, Pa., Elizabeth Forward)

Spring Sport MVPs:
Baseball: sophomore Ty Carrier (New Bethlehem, Pa., Redbank Valley)
Softball: sophomore Cheyenne Piper (Latrobe, Pa., Ligonier Valley)
Men's Golf: junior Tyler Hager (Lehighton, Pa., Palmerton)
Women's Golf: junior Katie Rose Rankin (Sewickley, Pa., North Allegheny)
Men's Lacrosse: senior Jahiem Hawkins (Huntington Station, N.Y., Huntington)
Women's Lacrosse: senior Julia Ravazza (Twain Harte, Calif., Dublin)
Men's Tennis: senior Ryan Crissman (Allison Park, Pa., Shaler)
Men's Outdoor Track & Field: junior Jack Crider (Apollo, Pa., Kiski)
Women's Outdoor Track & Field: senior Shelby Rambo (East Palestine, Ohio, Crestview)

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