Acrobatics and Tumbling | 2/16/2026 1:28:00 PM

Gannon Athletics celebrates Hall of Fame Week as the Class of 2026 is inducted into the Gannon University Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 21. The week is highlighted by championship postseason competition, milestone moments, and a full slate of home and road events as the Golden Knights honor the past while competing in the present.

HALL OF FAME WEEK

Gannon Athletics will celebrate Hall of Fame Week as eight former athletic greats are inducted into the Gannon University Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026 on Saturday, February 21.

The Class of 2026 includes Kelsey Ansec '18 (Volleyball), Matt Barto '18 (Men's Golf), Brent Benedict '20 (Men's Swimming), Pat Cain '04 (Football), Zack McKendree '11 (Men's Wrestling), Sean Morphy '04 (Men's Water Polo), Julie Stazer Pikiewicz '98 (Women's Soccer), and Dave Stoczynski '74 (Men's Basketball).

In addition, Scott Stano will be honored as Gannon's 2024–25 Coach of the Year, with the award presented by U Pick 6.

PSAC Champions! 

A special shoutout to head coach Tom Boyd and the Gannon men's wrestling team on winning the PSAC Men's Wrestling Championship on Saturday against Pitt-Johnstown.

On a night to remember inside the Highmark Events Center, the No. 3 Golden Knights edged No. 5 UPJ, 18–12, to claim the outright PSAC championship. Gannon trailed early but won four of five bouts to seize control, while also setting a new program record with 12 dual-meet victories this season.

MEN'S & WOMEN'S SWIMMING
Men's & Women's PSAC Championships York, Pa. | February 18–21

There is little doubt about the expectations surrounding the Golden Knights as both the men's and women's swimming teams compete at the PSAC Championships. The men are coming off a tie for the program's best finish, placing second overall at last year's championships, matching their runner-up finish from the 2023 meet, while the women placed sixth to finish in the top half of the standings.

Multiple Gannon swimmers are poised to contend for conference medals and NCAA qualifying times as prelims begin daily at 10:00 a.m., followed by finals at 5:30 p.m. each evening, except Saturday when finals move to a 5:00 p.m. start.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
 No. 5 Gannon vs. Slippery Rock – CARE Game Wednesday, February 18 | 5:30 p.m. | Highmark Events Center

The No. 5 Golden Knights host Slippery Rock in their annual CARE Game, partnering with Grandview Elementary School and Allegheny Health Network to raise awareness and funds for local cancer patients. Proceeds will benefit the AHN Cancer Institute at Saint Vincent, with Gannon aiming to raise more than $10,000 to support at least 250 patients.

Junior guard Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) enters the week just 15 points shy of 1,000 career points, sitting at 985. She would become the 33rd Golden Knight to reach the milestone. Gannon will also look to complete season sweeps of both Slippery Rock and Pitt-Johnstown this week.

Senior Day / Hall of Fame Game vs. Pitt-Johnstown Saturday, February 21
The Golden Knights will honor seniors Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster), Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria), and Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) prior to Saturday's Hall of Fame Game, presented by Sheraton Erie Bayfront.

WOMEN'S WRESTLING
 NCAA Super Region II Championships West Liberty University (ASRC) | February 20–21 | 11:00 a.m.

Gannon women's wrestling competes in the NCAA Super Region II Championships, marking the program's first appearance in an NCAA regional tournament. The top three finishers in each weight class will earn a berth to the NCAA Championships.

Senior Lili Ujfalvi (Kecskemet-heteny, Hungary/Bolyai Janos Secondary School) enters the weekend ranked 20th nationally and just two wins shy of 100 for her career, while sophomore Bella Phillips (Bellingham, Wash./Squalicum High School), ranked sixth nationally, returns as a defending regional champion. Sophomore Leyna Rumpler (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) adds additional scoring potential at 145 pounds.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
No. 6 Gannon vs. Slippery Rock Wednesday, February 18 | 7:30 p.m.

Hall of Fame Game / Senior Day vs. Pitt-Johnstown Saturday, February 21

The Golden Knights look to complete season sweeps of Slippery Rock and Pitt-Johnstown this week. Head coach Easton Bazzoli enters the week one win shy of 50 career victories and could become the fastest coach in program history to reach the milestone.

Sophomore guard Pace Prosser (Berlin, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) was named to the Bevo Francis Award Top 50 list and leads the team offensively, averaging 17.3 points per game. Seniors Layne Sarver (New Madison, Ohio/Tri-Village) and Victor Desmond (Onalaska, Wisc./Onalaska) will be honored on Saturday.

WOMEN'S LACROSSE
The Golden Knights opened the 2026 season with a 15–11 win at Wheeling, led by freshman attacker Isabella Veltre (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne Central), starting the year 1–0 for the first time since the 2020 campaign. Gannon travels east to face Bloomsburg on Friday, February 20, with opening draw set for 1:00 p.m.

BASEBALL
Gannon opens the 2026 season with a three-game road series at Shippensburg. The Golden Knights are coming off a strong finish in 2025, winning seven of their final nine games and placing fifth in the PSAC West.

Head coach DJ Cannon returns a veteran core led by Wes Parker (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) and Connor Smith (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny), along with a pitching staff anchored by Ryan Hood (Latrobe, Pa./Derry Area), Jacob Engel (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep), and Logan Ayres (New Castle, Pa./Laurel). Gannon was picked fifth in the PSAC West preseason poll before beginning a road-heavy opening stretch.

No. 9 ACROBATICS AND TUMBLING
The No. 9 Golden Knights return home Friday, February 20, to host No. 7 Duquesne inside the Highmark Events Center for their home opener and alumni meet.

Gannon looks to bounce back after opening the season against No. 3 Quinnipiac with a 266.710–247.995 loss.
 
SOFTBALL
Gannon opens the 2026 season with a veteran roster after finishing 29–19 overall and 18–10 in PSAC play a year ago, earning its 14th straight PSAC Tournament appearance and a third-place preseason ranking in the PSAC West.

Led by head coach Michelle Wiley, the Golden Knights return four All-PSAC performers, including First Team selection Katie Armstrong (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) in the circle and reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Year Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong). Gannon opens play Saturday, February 21, at the Glenville State Tournament against West Virginia Wesleyan at 10:00 a.m. before taking on West Virginia State at 12:30 p.m.

WOMEN'S WATER POLO
Despite dropping the season-opening weekend, head coach Zarko Sadikovic's squad looks to bounce back Sunday, February 22, at the Washington and Jefferson Invitational. Senior Molly Fehr (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria) and freshman Maria Martinez (Barcelona, Spain/Jesuïtes Gràcia Col·legi Kostka) led the offense with four goals apiece during opening weekend.

Gannon will face Penn State Behrend at 11:15 a.m. before closing the day against Grove City at 2:45 p.m.