2026 Jefferson Athletic Department End of the Year Awards

Tonight, we come together to celebrate the heart, the hustle, and the accomplishments of our incredible student-athletes, coaches, and staff.  Whether on the field, in the gym, or in the classroom, this year has been filled with unforgettable moments, unwavering dedication, and championship-level effort.  We're proud to honor the achievements of all of our teams — The Success of Cannoneer Athletics starts from the Top: from our Administration to all the people behind the scenes making our campus the best in Region 3.   

MSAC All-Confence

Jacob Childs- Men's Soccer Mid-State All Conference Team 

Brodie Finnie-Men's Soccer Mid-State All Conference Team 

Keera Lalonde-Women's Basketball Mid State All Conference Team 

Ryleigh Fleming-Volleyball Mid State All Conference Team 

Kayla Warden-Softball Mid State All Conference Team 

Layla Killino-Softball Mid State All Conference Team 

Carson Barrett-Golf Mid State All Conference Team 

Tanner Esposito-Golf Mid State All Conference Team 

Nick Spivey-Baseball Mid State All Conference Team 

Braiden Bley- Baseball Mid State All Conference Team 

NJCAA All-Region

Gianna Richards-Soccer NJCAA All-Region Second Team 

Jillian Alberry-Soccer NJCAA All-Region First Team 

Damien Perrea-Lacrosse NJCAA All Region Second Team 

Elizabeth Hobbs-Softball NJCAA All Region Second Team  

Scout Preston-Softball NJCAA All Region Second Team 

Phillip Stevens-Golf-NJCAA All Region Third Team 

MSAC All-Conference/NJCAA All-Region

Morgan Dillenbeck-Soccer Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Third Team 

Hannah Netto-Soccer Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Second Team 

Keira Guerriero- Volleyball Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Third Team  

Kaitlyn Pownell-Volleyball Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Second Team 

Haley Parker -Softball Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Second Team  

Madelyn Ferris-Basketball Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Third Team 

Brooke Wiley-Basketball Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Second Team  

Devin Connell-Lacrosse- Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Third Team  

Andre Tillman-Lacrosse- Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Second Team  

Noah Price-Lacrosse- Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region First Team  

Adam Pooler- Lacrosse- Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region First Team  

Jack Rathbun-Soccer- NJCAA All Region Third Team/Lacrosse- Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region Second Team 

Abby Bombard-Soccer- Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region First Team/Basketball- Mid State All Conference & NJCAA All Region First Team 

ALL American 

Avery Zenger-Hockey-AAU College Hockey Men's D3 All-American  

MSAC All-Conference, NJCAA All-Region and NJCAA All-American 

Samantha Stokley-Soccer-Mid-State All Conference, NJCAA All Region First Team & First Team NJCAA All American  

The Athletic Department has 13 annual awards to present, based on the nominations from coaches and administrators.  This year we have had some outstanding team and individual performances; voting was close in all 13 categories. 

Team and Individual Award Winners 

Frontier League/Cannoneer Scholar Award:  

The awards Celebrates two student-athletes from the Frontier League who have demonstrated: 

• Excellence in athletics—a key player for their team. 

• Academic success, excelling in coursework with strong GPA performance. 

• Commitment to personal and athletic growth, balancing student-athlete responsibilities. 

• A transition to a four-year school, where they will continue playing at the next level. 

The Frontier League makes up more than 50% of our teams' rosters.  The Frontier League and Jefferson Community College have a great working relationship as we are the host to many Frontier League Championships and All-Star games.  As a result of hosting the Frontier League as set up a Scholarship for former Frontier League Athletes who excelled both on and off the field for Jefferson.   

The winners are: 

Sam Stokely- From Copenhagen, Sam was an outstanding high school athlete and continued to excel at the collegiate level representing the frontier league well as a two time All American, team captain, and had career 37 career goals and 14 assists. She will be heading to Roberts Weslyn to play Soccer 

Andre Tillman- From Watertown High School, Andre has distinguished himself as a true student-athlete, representing SUNY Jefferson and the Frontier League with excellence both on the field and in the classroom. On the field, Andre's work ethic, lacrosse IQ, and ability to lead made him a perfect choice for team captain. Just as impressive is his commitment to academics. He has maintained strong performance in the classroom, Andre plans to continue his academic and athletic career at Chowan University.  

The Valentine Award:

 One of the most prestigious honors named after former Director of Athletics Rene D. Valentine, this award goes to a student-athlete who excels both on and off the field. Key attributes include: 

• Superior athletic performance, recognized with accolades. 

• Academic dedication, excelling in coursework. 

• Outstanding leadership, setting an example for teammates. 

• Character and sportsmanship, serving as a positive role model. 

• A future in collegiate athletics, continuing to compete at the next level. 

 The Winner Is: 

Yuri Soma – Yuri is an international student from Brazil, he is a model student-athlete on and off the field this year serving as a captain, he was a campus leader and served as an RA, and the PTK vice president and he also excelled in the classroom. He will continue his soccer career with Brescia University in Kentucky.  

We have had some outstanding team and individual performances this year:  

The Male Performance of the Year

Recognizes a male athlete's individual game or season-defining performance that surpassed expectations. Examples include: 

• Scoring multiple goals in a single match, such as a hat-trick. 

• Breaking a school or conference record in any statistic. 

• Dominating a game with an outstanding statistical performance (e.g., 40+ points in basketball, a shutout in soccer/baseball, multiple touchdowns in football). 

• Delivering in a high-stakes moment, such as a playoff or championship game. 

The Winner is:  

Brodie Finnie, on Sophomore Night, Brodie delivered a performance to remember, recording a hat trick and an assist in a dominant win over North Country. With his parents visiting from Scotland, Brodie rose to the occasion and showcased the scoring ability that made him such a special player for the Cannoneers. It was the perfect way to celebrate his Jefferson soccer career — a memorable night with a standout performance. 

The Female Performance of the Year

Recognizes a female athlete who delivered an exceptional individual performance, with criteria similar to the male category: 

• Multi-goal, high-scoring, or record-breaking performances. 

• A dominant showing in a playoff game or championship setting. 

• A game that significantly influenced the team's success or season outcome. 

The Winner is:  

Brooke Wiley-Just five games into her collegiate career, Brooke Wiley became known as one of the best shooters in the region, scoring 27 points and knocking down 7 three-pointers in an exciting 85–80 win over Herkimer College. Many of the shots in this game came from the LOGO's on Herkimer's court.  

The Male Rookie of the Year

Recognizes a first-year male athlete who made an immediate impact on their team. Nominees should: 

• Have earned All-Region and possibly All-American honors. 

• Be a key contributor, leading in stats or performances. 

• Have shown tremendous growth and potential for the future. 

The Winner is: 

Avery Zenger-From the moment he arrived at Jefferson, Avery established himself as one of the top rookie goaltenders in the nation, finishing ranked #3 nationally in both save percentage (.911) and goals against average (2.84). He anchored the Cannoneers with an outstanding 15-2 record and helped lead Jefferson to success in both the UNYCHL playoffs and AAU Nationals. For his dominance in the crease, leadership under pressure, and tremendous impact in his first collegiate season for the Cannoneers.  We are excited to have Avery between the pipes again next year!  

Female Rookie of the Year

Similar to the male category, this award honors a female first-year athlete who: 

• Had standout performances in their sport. 

• Earned All-Region or All-American recognition. 

• Became a key player and difference-maker for their team. 

The Winner is:  

Abby Bombard, Abby established herself as one of Jefferson's top two-sport student-athletes in Region 3, earning 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-Region honors in both soccer and basketball. On the soccer field, she recorded 8 goals and 13 assists, while on the basketball court she averaged over 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Her versatility, leadership, and ability to impact games in multiple ways made her a key contributor to the success of both programs. 

The Senior Male Athlete of the Year

This award reserved for a second-year male athlete who has excelled throughout their career at Jefferson. Selection criteria include: 

• Dominant performances, backed by statistics and accolades. 

• All-Region, All-Conference, or All-American honors. 

• Leadership on and off the field, serving as a role model. 

• A lasting impact on the program, leaving a legacy of success. 

The Winner is: 

Jack Rathbun, Jack is the definition of a true student/athlete, something especially rare on the men's side as a successful two-sport athlete competing in both soccer and lacrosse. A two-year starter and leader in the midfield, Jack played nearly every minute of every soccer match over the past two seasons, recording 4 goals and 6 assists while earning NJCAA All-Region 3rd Team honors. In lacrosse, he elevated his game even further, totaling 31 goals and 29 assists for 60 points while earning All-Conference and All Region recognition and ranking among the nation's leaders in points per game. His versatility, toughness, and leadership made him an impact player and respected leader for two Jefferson programs. 

The Senior Female Athlete of the Year

Celebrates a second-year female athlete with outstanding achievements. Nominees should: 

• Have exceptional individual and team success. 

• Earn recognition as an All-Region, All-Conference, or All-American honoree. 

• Exhibit strong leadership and sportsmanship. 

• Continue their athletic career or leave a lasting impact on Jefferson athletics. 

The Winner is:  

Sam Stokely from Copenhagen, New York, capped off an incredible career with one of the best seasons in Jefferson women's soccer history. After earning 2nd Team All-American honors as a freshman, Sam elevated her game even further this season, recording 22 goals and 11 assists while serving as team captain and leading the Cannoneers to the Regional Final. A 1st Team All-American and true leader on and off the field, Sam will continue her soccer career at Roberts Wesleyan University. 

Special Recognition: Picture Perfect Volunteer Award.  

We would like to recognize three outstanding student volunteers who helped capture some of the most memorable moments of the 2025–26 athletic season. Through their dedication and talent behind the camera, their photographs were featured across our social media platforms, website designs, and shared directly with many of our student-athletes and families. 

Their work helped showcase the pride, passion, and success of Jefferson Community College Athletics all year long. 

Please join us in thanking Caroline Dellas, Hannah Jesmore, and Angelia Raulino for their tremendous contributions to the Cannoneers Athletic Department. 

The Play of the Year

Recognizes the most electrifying, jaw-dropping play of the season—one that left fans, coaches, and teammates in awe.  

• A game-winning goal, shot, or home run in the final seconds. 

• A defensive masterpiece, such as robbing a home run, a goal-line save, or a crucial block/steal. 

• A highlight-reel dunk, long-distance three-pointer, or deep free-kick goal that energized the crowd. 

• Any athletic feat that defined the moment and had a significant impact on the game's outcome. 

The Winner is: 

Jonny Lafontaine, his goal was against TC3 in a 2-0 win. In their match at TC3 this year the Cannoneers took an early lead and were battling back and forth with the Panthers. The match could have gone either way until a moment of magic from Jonny LaFontaine. #26 scored the goal of the season, when he rose above a crowd of players around him to score a spectacular overhead kick and seal the victory on the road.  

The Game of the Year

Honors a memorable and extraordinary game where Jefferson's team showcased resilience, determination, and excellence. Nominees should include games that: 

The Winner is: 

Jefferson Baseball, This is the moment that defined resilience, pressure, and belief. In a true win-or-go-home situation, the Cannoneers baseball team defeated nationally ranked #11 and #3 seeded Cayuga College twice, including a thrilling 7-6 victory, to clinch the program's first playoff berth in 10 years. With the season on the line and the Cannoneers holding onto a narrow lead in the seventh inning, Kyle Peterson stepped onto the mound and delivered the final outs to secure the unforgettable victory and punch Jefferson's ticket to the postseason. 

Assistant Coach of the Year

is presented to an assistant coach who has demonstrated: 

• Program commitment, deeply committed to long term success of Jefferson Athletics.  

• Team Success, player development, game strategy, and led team to a successful season. 

• Community engagement and mentorship, making a positive impact beyond the field. 

• Leadership, stepped into a leadership role in the absence of the head coach. 

The Winner is:  

Mykayla Williamson,  It is our honor to recognize Mykala as Assistant Coach of the Year for her incredible dedication to Jefferson Volleyball over the past five years. Mykala was a tremendous leader, mentor, and teacher who helped build a competitive and supportive culture while positively impacting every student-athlete she coached. Though she has returned home to Portland, Oregon, her passion, commitment, and influence on our program will always remain a part of Jefferson Volleyball. She will be missed and her very high energy and dedication will be hard to replace.  Thank You Mykayla for all you have done for Jefferson Volleyball and the Athletic Department. 

Coach of the Year

is presented to a head coach who has demonstrated: 

• Exceptional leadership in guiding their team to success. 

• Program transformation, turning a struggling team into a contender. 

• Championship-level coaching, leading the team to playoffs or a title. 

• Community engagement and mentorship, making a positive impact beyond the field. 

The Winner is:  

Coach Kyle Parisi, Jefferson Baseball, In just his first season at the helm, Coach Parisii transformed Jefferson Baseball into a regional contender and brought excitement back to the program. Alongside assistants Emanual Guerreiro and Matt Sodano, the staff built a tremendous foundation for the future, helping the Cannoneers improve from four wins the previous season to 18 wins in 2026 and earned their first regional tournament berth in 10 years. For their leadership, culture-building, and remarkable turnaround of the program, Coach Kyle Parisi and staff are our Coach of the Year recipients. 

Team of the Year

Is awarded to a team that surpassed expectations, with key factors including: 

• Dramatic improvement from the previous season. 

• Success beyond projections, such as playoff/championship appearances. 

• Strong team chemistry, resilience, and competitive spirit. 

• Involvement in community service and campus engagement.