POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist Athletics Department honored the class of 2026 at its annual senior awards reception, held in the McCann Center Recreational Gym.

Head coaches individually recognized all senior student-athletes throughout the evening. The program concluded with the presentation of major awards to both teams and individuals.

• Volleyball and football were selected for the Team Strength & Conditioning Awards, marking the first time each program has received the honor.
• Natalie Ronan of women's rowing and Joe Patierno of football earned the individual Strength & Conditioning Awards.
• Ronan is the first rower to capture the award, while Patierno becomes the second straight football player to earn the honor and 15th overall.

• The Athletic Director's Award is presented annually to the women's and men's teams with the highest cumulative grade-point average.
• This year's recipients are volleyball and men's tennis.
• Volleyball earned the honor for the fifth consecutive year and 12th time overall, while men's tennis captured the award for a record 20th time.
• The President's Academic Achievement Award is given annually to the male and female student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade-point average.
• This year's honorees are Shannon Maier of women's lacrosse and Nick Fracasso of men's rowing.
• Maier is the third student-athlete from women's lacrosse to receive the award in the last eight years, while Fracasso is the first male rower in program history to earn the distinction.

• Marist Athletics has presented the James E. Pizzani Award since 1990 to honor the life of James Pizzani, '64. The award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the athletic department both academically and socially, while demonstrating community service, leadership, and performance above expectations.
• This year's recipients are Olivia Lindsay of women's soccer and Nick Fracasso of men's rowing.
• Lindsay becomes the second women's soccer student-athlete to earn the honor, while Fracasso is the first male rower to receive the award and became a two-time major award winner on the night.

• This award is presented to the top female and male student-athletes based on their accomplishments throughout their Marist careers.
• Peyton Pusey of softball was named Female Sportsperson of the Year. This marks the seventh year a softball player has been honored, with Pusey becoming the ninth individual from the program to receive the award.
• Amari Mathis of track & field was named Male Sportsperson of the Year, becoming the 10th student-athlete from the program to earn the honor.