ATHERTON, CA -- At the culmination of every academic year, the Menlo College Athletic Department takes the chance to thank every student-athlete, coach, and support staff member at the Annual All-Athlete Banquet.  At the banquet, Menlo selects a group of their top achievers both on and off the fields of play to honor with a plethora of different accolades.  Below is the list of awards presented and the names of those honored this year.

Glen E. Dorst Award - Originating in 1957 and sponsored by alumnus Glen E. Dorst, who took an active interest in the development of youth in athletics, the Glen E. Dorst Award is presented each year to a Menlo College Senior Male or Female student-athlete who most personifies the standards of sportsmanship in each phase of his/her life.

2023 Recipient: Nick Camacho (Men's Wrestling)
Nick Camacho has been a leader on and off the mat at Menlo College since the beginning of his time here. The senior is Double Majoring in Accounting CPA and Entrepreneurship & innovation. He was part of the 2022 Academic Global Immersion Course, representing Menlo College with Dean Mouwafac Sidaoui and President Steven Weiner in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. On top of that, Nick has also been a 2x Men's Wrestling Team Captain, 2022 NAIA National Qualifier, earned 2021-22 CCC All-Conference, and was named the 2022 NAIA Champion of Character Award recipient at the NAIA National Championships.


F. Philler Curtis Award - The F. Philler Curtis award is presented each year to a Senior Female student-athlete who by scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability has made an outstanding contribution to campus life at Menlo College.

2023 Recipient: Ella Sonnelid (Women's Soccer)
A midfielder and defender from Stockholm, Sweden, Ella Sonnelid is a great example of what it means to be an Oak on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. Ella served as captain during the 2022 season, and started all 16 matches. Due to team injuries, she was forced to play in a new position, as a central defender. Despite needing to adapt to that new role, she was named a member of the 2022 All-GSAC Team. In the classroom, Ella was named to the Dean's List in all eight of her semesters while at Menlo. She was a 2022 Academic All-District student-athlete, as well as a GSAC Scholar-Athlete. She currently maintains a 3.88 GPA. Ella's involvement as an Oak, however, extends beyond the field and classroom. She has fully immersed herself in the Menlo College community by participating in the Scandinavian and Psychology Clubs. She also works with Menlo Athletics as a crucial part of the Sports Operation Staff. She truly has embraced the Menlo philosophy in all aspects of college life.


Señor Carlos Lopez Award - The Senor Carlos Lopez Award is presented each year to a Senior Male student-athlete who by scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability has made an outstanding contribution to campus life at Menlo College.

2023 Rceipient: Basil Merk (Men's Soccer)
A midfielder and forward from Ehrenkirchen, Germany, Basil Merk walked onto the team in 2020. Across two seasons, he has had 23 appearances, 4 goals, and 2 assists. Academically, Basil will graduate with a 3.84 GPA as a member of the Alpha Chai and Beta Gamma societies. He was freshman class president, selected to participate in the U.A.F. design thinking program at Stanford University, winner of the Richard O'Brien award as freshman and sophomore, Assistant with the President's Office in his freshman, junior, and senior years, founder of the Rising In Self-Empowerment club, and competed against other colleges and universities in the National Global Scaling program, with his team taking 2nd place. He also participated in a Dubai immersion program. He founded the Menlo College Living Learning Community (LLC), was the first Menlo student to land an internship with a major consulting firm, and has accepted a position as an associate consultant after graduation. His nickname among the coaching staff and some of the team is Mr. Menlo, because he embodies everything we want from our student-athletes.


Don W. Baer Award - The Don W. Baer award originated in 1954 in memory of Don W. Baer, a former manager for the football team. This honor is awarded each year to either a Senior Male or Female student-athlete who shows the greatest qualities of all-around leadership.

2023 Recipient: Afton Silvis (Men's Wrestling)
A four-time Menlo Men's Wrestling captain, Afton Silvis completes his career as a two-time NAIA National Qualifier, two-time Cascade Collegiate Conference All-Conference honoree, two-time Academic All-Conference honoree, Menlo College Resident Assistant, and Vice President of the Menlo Wine Club. Off the mat, Afton helped create "Moving for Seniors," a collaboration with Careful Movers, to donate services for moving senior citizens in San Mateo County. At the culmination of the program, it had saved the participants $20,000 in expenses. He also partnered with Morrisey-Compton Educational Center, a non-profit that specializes in learning, behavioral, and social-emotional challenges, to help students succeed throughout their educational journey. Afton is an all-around leader!


Sports Performance Iron Oak Award - The Iron Oak award is named in honor of a Male and Female student-athlete that best embodied the messages and goals of the Sports performance department through hard work and commitment, in and out of season.

2023 Female Recipient: Vivian Woo (Women's Basketball)
Vivian stepped onto campus with a mindset that showed a relentless passion to be better. Her work ethic is second to none, and she is a pure example of someone who is willing to give her all. She has taken advantage of every opportunity and resource that the Sports Performance Department has offered her. This has led her to become one of the strongest and most powerful female athletes in the history of our department, notably setting a school-record clean. Vivian was also selfless, in that she shared her burning passion that spread to her teammates to embrace the process. She was a standout leader who will be difficult to replace. She has set a standard that is to be chased by future athletes.

2023 Male Recipient: Anthony Masetti (Baseball)
There is not an athlete that exemplifies the old adage "iron sharpens iron" better than Tony Masetti. Both his character and physical skill have elevated the performance of his teammates. Relentlessness, accountability, gratitude, and trust; he demonstrated the core values of sports performance daily. As a team captain, Tony encouraged a focused intensity among his peers, and often led segments of training sessions. Considering that he can hex-bar deadlift over three times his body weight, pound for pound, Tony is one of the strongest athletes on campus. Although he has not spent his entire collegiate career at Menlo, his dedication to the Oaks has never come into question.


Sports Medicine Perseverance Award - The Sports Medicine Perseverance Award is granted to a MALE OR FEMALE student-athlete that best embodies the message and goals of the Sports Medicine department through tenacity, dedication, and a self-driven attitude to achieve success in sport after injury.

2023 Recipient: Braden Proud (Baseball)
Last year, Braden was told the worst news a baseball pitcher can hear. After being given the diagnosis, instead of sulking, he did his part in getting ready for surgery. Since then, he has done everything correctly, and is in the training room every day to do his part and more. He is constantly looking to improve his rehabilitation, and has set an example for those around him. We look forward to the day he returns to the mound for the Oaks!


Athletic Department Service Award - The Menlo College Athletic Department Service Award is presented each year to a student whose contributions to the athletics department by way of sports information, game operations, or marketing and promotions are immeasurable.

2023 Recipient: Katharine Mumm (Women's Volleyball)
Katharine Mumm has been a Gameday Operations staff member for two years now and continues to show enthusiasm in serving the Department, no matter what role she serves. She has worked across all positions, including ticket admissions, camera operator, scoreboard operator, marketing board graphics specialist, livestream producer, and social media content creator. Most notably, Katharine was a foundational part of the Men's Volleyball Operations staff, taking charge of paper statistics during the entire home match schedule. Katharine is a reliable student worker who is great at communicating and is willing to pick up shifts when she is available, even while in season for her own Women's Volleyball squad. Thank you Katharine for all you do in the Athletics Department.


Fall Sport Athletes of the Year

2023 Female Recipient: Kori-Ann Koverman (Women's Soccer)
A forward from Kapolei, Hawaii, Kori-Ann Koverman was named to the All-GSAC Team during each of her 4 seasons at Menlo College. Her career is recorded in the all-time record books: tied for second for game-winning goals with 7, and also second in total career goals. During the 2022 season, she finished with six goals and six assists. She achieved great success in the classroom as well, maintaining a 3.2 GPA and being honored on the Dean's List in 2019. Kori's greatest contribution to the team was her leadership. She was the type of player who could fire you up, make you laugh, have a harsh word, or put her arm around you. Sometimes that happened all in one game, or one training session. She was an aggressive, talented, and competitive leader, respected by teammates and opponents alike.

2023 Male Recipient: Bernardo Silva (Men's Soccer)
A forward from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Bernardo Silva is the fulcrum of Menlo's offense. He scored a team-leading 7 goals in the 2022 season, 1 of which was a game-winner. In addition to being an excellent finisher, Silva is capable of functioning as an offensive catalyst; he provided 3 assists this season, tied for the third-most among Oaks. After departing Menlo, he will continue his playing career with USL League Two side San Francisco City FC, which plays at Kezar Stadium in Golden Gate Park.


Winter Sport Athlete of the Year

2023 Female Recipient: Alana Vivas (Women's Wrestling)  
Alana Vivas had a successful campaign on the Women's Wrestling team once again. The three-time NAIA All-American qualified for the Inaugural NAIA Women's Wrestling National Championships in the 123 weight class after becoming Cascade Collegiate Conference Runner-Up in the Conference Championship Tournament. At Nationals, Vivas dominated her way to the Championship Match, where she earned NAIA National Runner Up at 123 pounds. Alana was named an NAIA All-American and CCC All-Conference after an astounding season.

2023 Male Recipient: Gulomjon Abdullaev (Men's Wrestling)
Gulomjon Abdullaev, a freshman Olympian from Uzbekistan, made his Menlo debut in 2023. At the culmination of his first year, he was named the NAIA's Wrestler of the Year. Abdullaev posted a 214-31 point spread through his 18 matches as an Oak, and was only taken down 5 times. He ended his freshman year 18-0, with 8 tech falls, 4 pins, 3 major decisions, and 3 decisions. He is the NAIA 133-pound National Champion, Cascade Collegiate Conference Champion, an All-American, named CCC All-Conference, named Outstanding Wrestler at the CCC Conference Tournament, and was featured as a CCC Wrestler of the Week this season.  


Spring Sport Athlete of the Year

2023 Female Recipient: Catharine Batang (Women's Golf)
Hailing from South San Francisco, California, Catherine Batang is ranked 14th in the nation, and won the individual title at the 2023 GSAC Golf Championship Tournament. After the event, she was named the Conference Player of the Year, and voted into the All-Conference Team. Batang has 3 tournament wins under her belt in 2022-23, just 1 behind the all-time program single-season record. She also has sole possession of the all-time career wins record, with 5 to her name. Batang's total number of career rounds played stands at 49, the most all-time for the women's golf program. She is atop the career birdie leaderboard, with 112; no other Oak has ever had more than 76. In addition, she is tied atop the career eagles leaderboard, with 3.

2023 Male Recipient: Konrad Stoklosinksi (Men's Volleyball)
Konrad Stoklosinski, an outside hitter from Poland, led Menlo's attack in 2023, totaling 317 kills with a .376 hitting percentage. He also added 50 assists, 46 service aces, 110 digs, and 19 total blocks for the Oaks. He came first in the GSAC in service aces, fourth in kills, third in hitting percentage, and fifth in total points scored. Stoklosinski was named GSAC Attacker of the Week and NAIA Attacker of the week during the 2023 season. He has now earned All-American status twice, and this year was selected for the NAIA All-American 1st Team.


Bud Presley Coach of the Year Award - The Bud Presley Coach of the Year Award is presented to the Head Coach who, by way of success on the field of play, in the community, or in the classroom has made a major impact on the lives of their student athletes and the Menlo College Community.

2023 Recipient: Joey Martinez (Men's Wrestling)
A legend on the Menlo College Campus, Joey Martinez led his Men's Wrestling program to their third Conference Championship in five years. Joey Martinez was voted Cascade Collegiate Conference Coach of the year in his 14th season as head coach of the Oaks. He mentored over 70 wrestlers this year. Of those 70, he coached the Cascade Collegiate Conference Outstanding Wrestler of the Year, two NAIA National Champions, four All-Americans, 5 Scholar-Athletes, and 8 All-Conference athletes. On top of his success on the mat, Martinez also helps oversee the Menlo College Wine Club, and maintains an active presence on campus. At the end of the year, Menlo College Wrestling was honored at halftime of a San Jose Earthquakes match for their outstanding performance this year.  


Collis Steere Academic Excellence Awards - The Collis Steere Academic Excellence Awards are given to the male and female senior student athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average. Awards are given to male and female 4-year student athletes and transfer student-athletes.

2023 4-Year Recipients:
Female: Jadalee Takara (Softball)
Male: Jake Tranter (Men's Basketball)

2023 Transfer Recipients:
Female: Franziska Niederle (Women's Tennis)
Male: Andrez Dayap (Men's Golf) 


Club Sport Athletes of the Year - The Club Sport Athlete of the Year Award is given to the most outstanding individual who has brought success to their club sport team and the intercollegiate athletic program.

2023 Recipient: Geordan Villanueva (Weightlifting)
Geordan Villanueva shot to success during his career at Menlo. He completes his career with 3 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals, and 6 Bronze Medals. His best competition was highlighted by a 290-kilogram Total for a Bronze Medal in the Under-25 Championships. He also swept Gold at the Southwest University Regional Championships, and achieved All-American status. Geo's relentless dedication was admired by and inspiring to his teammates. He brought energy and heart to every single session, and truly became the light that the team followed.


Don Baikie Athletes of the Year - The Don Baike Male and Female Athletes of the Year Award is named in honor of a long-standing Menlo College Hall of Fame Director of Athletics; these awards are the most prestigious honor a Menlo athlete can earn. It is awarded to the outstanding male and female athletes for an academic year, who by their accomplishments in their sport have brought notoriety and success to their team and the intercollegiate athletic program.

2023 Female Recipient: Kiara Brown (Women's Basketball)
Kiara Brown finished the 2022-2023 season with one of the greatest seasons in Menlo Women's Basketball history. As an individual, Brown was named to the GSAC All-Conference team, WBCA All-American Honorable Mention, and CSC Academic All-District. She was one of the driving forces behind the Oaks' 21-10 record, appearance in the GSAC Championship game, and berth in the NAIA National Tournament. Statistically, Kiara was second in the conference in scoring per game as well as fifth in rebounds per game. Lastly, Kiara has stamped her name in the record books in multiple categories. She is now 1st in points scored in a season, 5th in rebounds recorded in a season, and 2nd in points per game in a season!

2023 Male Recipient: Rysan Leong (Men's Wrestling)
Rysan Leong embodies what it takes to be a champion. A leader on the Men's Wrestling Varsity team, the #6 nationally ranked grappler was a force to go up against after finishing his junior season 24-8. He earned himself a 3rd place finish at the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship Tournament where he helped the team earn the Conference Championship Title and to qualify for Nationals. At the NAIA National Championships, after upsetting the #1 seed in the semifinals, Leong would go on to win the National Title at 165.  At the end of his junior season Rysan is an NAIA National Champion, NAIA All-American, CCC All-Conference, NWCA Academic All-American, and CCC Academic All-Conference. We are looking forward to his return to the mat next year!