General | 4/30/2026 9:15:00 PM

ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon University athletic department held its 17th Annual Golden Knight Awards on Tuesday night at the Bayfront Convention Center. The event honored Gannon's student-athletes while also handing out season-ending awards. Coaches from each of Gannon's sports gave a brief wrap-up of their season.
 
The highlight of the evening was the announcement by Director of Athletics Meghan Morphy for the 2025-26 Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Year. Sverre Orten of men's soccer was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year, while Female Student-Athletes of the Year went to Lili Ujfalvi from women's wrestling. 

Sverre Orten capped off one of the most decorated careers in Gannon Athletics history by earning Gannon Male Student-Athlete of the Year honors. In 2025, Orten was named the D2CCA Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, PSAC West Athlete of the Year, and Atlantic Region Player of the Year after leading all of Division II with 17 goals. A multi-time All-American and four-time All-PSAC First Team selection, Orten leaves Gannon as one of the premier players in program history.

Lili Ujfalvi earned Female Student-Athlete of the Year honors after capping a historic career on the mat. Ujfalvi became the first wrestler in program history to reach 100 career victories and finished with a school-record 101 wins, while posting 25 victories this season, including 12 by technical fall and four by pin. A two-time national qualifier, regional champion, and NCWWC All-American, Ujfalvi leaves as one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history.

The ceremony also recognized student-athletes for a variety of accomplishments, including the Doc Beyer Award, presented to a male and female student-athlete for Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship and Athletics, along with the Team MVPs. The Play of the Year and Action Photo of the Year was voted on through social media.
 
Shota Toyama (men's soccer) and Josie Spano (softball) were recipients of the Doc Beyer Award. Toyama is a senior Accounting major and member of the Gannon Men's Soccer team, while Spano is majoring in Physical Therapy. Both student-athletes have shown incredible academic ability and rank near the very top of their class with GPA. They also each have been active in community service throughout their time on campus and are two of the team leaders/captains of their respective teams. 
 
2025-26 TEAM MVPS
Acrobatics & Tumbling – Sydney Gibson
Baseball – Matt Smith
Men's Basketball – Pace Prosser
Women's Basketball – Bri Claxon
Competitive Cheer – Ivanelys Martinez
Competitive Dance – Claire Eaton
Men's Cross Country – Luke Malena
Women's Cross Country – Emily Bowers
Football - Ty Hurst
Men's Golf – Giovanni Delorenzi
Women's Golf – Alexandria LeCureux
Women's Lacrosse – Charlie Hunter
Men's Soccer – Shota Toyama
Women's Soccer – Ella Fadale
Softball – Emma Smerick
Men's Swimming – Kuba Loboda
Women's Swimming – Mariia Melnyk
Men's Water Polo – Alexandros Kotskar
Women's Water Polo – Molly Fehr
Men's Wrestling – Dorian Crosby
Women's Wrestling – Bella Phillips
Volleyball - Bengisu Arslan

 2025-26 PLAY OF THE YEAR WINNER: Men's Wrestling - Dorian Crosby's takedown to win the 2026 NCAA DII Heavyweight National Championship
 2025-26 ACTION PHOTO OF THE YEAR WINNER: Acrobatics & Tumbling