ELMHURST, Ill. – Several Elmhurst Student-Athletes were honored as the University celebrated the Student Leadership Awards at Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel on Thursday night.

The athletic department celebrated two athletes as finalists for the Senior of the Year award – John Witcher (Men's Basketball), and Jacq Vanoni (Women's Lacrosse). Witcher was named the winner of the award, which honors an Elmhurst senior that exemplifies a commitment to scholastic aptitude, dedication to campus involvement, and a passion for the support and advancement of the Elmhurst University Mission and Vision.

Two student-athletes were named as finalists for the 2026 Founders Awards – Eli Spence (Men's Lacrosse) and Zeel Mody (Women's Wrestling).

The finalists for four major athletic awards were announced, with a combined total of 15 student-athletes honored for Male & Female Athletes of the Year, and Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Kristin Bukata (Women's Basketball), Mary Graves (Bowling), Tiana Grady, Carmela Woods, and Chloe Selmer (Women's Track & Field) were selected as finalists for the Female Athlete the Year Award. Bukata and Graves joined Molly Roberts (Women's Track & Field) and Lauren Nevins (Women's Soccer) as finalists for the Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor.

Five Bluejays across four teams were selected as finalists for the Male Athlete of the Year award, in Dominic Trelenberg (Men's Basketball), Jaedon Thompson (Men's Track & Field), Rhenzo Augusto (Men's Wrestling), Spence, and Tony Vazquez (Men's Lacrosse). Four were included as finalists for Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, including three from the Men's Lacrosse team that just claimed its first CCIW titles in program history – Spence, Andrew Lacksonen, and Hunter Hernandez join Zaiden Smith (Men's Track & Field) as finalists.

A few Bluejays were also honored off the court for their efforts on campus. Nora Simon (Women's Soccer) and Ryan Hinger (Men's Wrestling) earned the Department of Student Affairs "Shining Star" Award, recognizing freshmen students making an impact during their first year on campus. John Witcher (Men's Basketball) was named the recipient of the Paul Krohn Award, named after the former Director of Athletics at Elmhurst University. Lacksonen was selected as the winner of the 1871 Award, and Mody was honored with the Friend of Student Affairs Award.