By Julian Markese
Sports Editor
Here is a look at some of the teams and athletes that performed exceptionally this year.
Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball team went 25-6 and 16-2 in the conference on their way to winning the NE10 Championship.
They hosted the NCAA East Regional Tournament, where they were knocked out in the semifinals by Holy Family University.
Forward Tish Blackwood, a freshman, was the NE10 Freshman of the Year.
Guard Hope Fox, a senior, and guard Jillian Martin, a graduate, were both named to the NE10 All Academic Team.
Forward Rheyna Steinauer, a senior, was recognized nationally as a 2026 All American Honorable Mention.
Swimming & diving
The women’s swimming and diving team won their sixth straight NE10 conference title.
They did so in honor of their beloved coach, Tim Quill, who unexpectedly died during the season.
Quill was the coach of the year in the NE10. The posthumous honor was his 28th Coach of the Year award.
Swimmer Molly Kennedy, a junior, was the NE10 Swimmer of the Year. Kennedy swam at the Division II National Championship. She placed top 30 in the nation in the 100-yard freestyle.
Cross Country
Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams won the NE10 Championship and the NCAA East Regional tournament.
The men’s team won the NE10 for the third straight time and the East Region for the fourth straight time.
Both Head Coaches John Wallin and Melissa Stoll Funaro won an NE10 Coach of the Year award.
Jonathan Volpe and Courtney Henchcliffe, seniors, were the NE10 runners of the year.
Track and field
The track and field teams won the NE10 indoor and outdoor championships.
The men have won the last nine indoors.
The 2026 margin of vicory was the largest in conference history.
It was the second time that the Owls won in both cross country and track.
Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team made it to the quarterfinals of the NE10 Championship, where they lost to Adelphi University.
The team compiled a record of 4-2- 3 in the conference.
Midfielder Ryad Benmessaoud, a freshman, and defender Eddie Mensah, a graduate, were named to the NE10 All-Conference Second Team.
Goalkeeper Diego Flores, a freshman, made the NE10 Academic All-Conference Team and the NE10 All Rookie Team.
Longtime Head Coach Kevin Anderson departed.
Volleyball
The volleyball team lost in the NE10 Championship Semifinals after hosting and beating Saint Michael’s College in the quarterfinal.
The win against Saint Michael’s was their first playoff win since 2012.
The team’s records of 16-8 and 6-3 were their best since 2021.
Setter Kimi Mitchell, a freshman, was the NE10 Rookie of the Year, a first for the program.
Right-side hitter Sydney Bennett, a senior, and outside hitter Kerrigan Habing, a sophomore, were named to the AllNE10 Second Team.
Field Hockey
The field hockey team lost in overtime to Adelphi University in the NE10 Quarterfinals.
It was the first time since 2013 that the team participated in the postseason.
Midfielder Taylor Leckey, a senior, was named to the NE10 All Conference Team.
She was also recognized nationally, named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II All-American Second Team and Senior Team.
The team finished 6-6 in the conference, with the most wins since 2010.
