HICKORY, N.C. - Lenoir-Rhyne hosted their annual Bears Choice Awards recently, highlighting the accomplishments of student-athletes and teams throughout the 2025-26 academic year. 

Award Winners
Male Athlete of the Year - Mackenzie Wainwright (Baseball)
Female Athlete of the Year - Zoila Sicilia (Triathlon/Track & Field/Cross Country)
Male Breakthrough Athlete of the Year - Tye Roberson (Football)
Female Breakthrough Athlete of the Year - Hadley Prince (Volleyball)
Male Newcomer of the Year - Tobechukwu Nwokocha (Track & Field)
Female Newcomer of the Year - Abigail Brown (Women's Basketball
Male Comeback Athlete of the Year - Matt Procopio (Baseball
Female Comeback Athlete of the Year - Emmaleigh Allen (Volleyball)
Male Leadership Impact Award - Tate O'Bryan (Football) / Vadym Rogynskyi (Tennis)
Female Leadership Impact Award - Keagan McCorkle (Soccer)
Moment of the Year - Triathlon National Championship
RivaLRy Win of the Year - Women's Tennis defeating Wingate for the first time in program history
Bears Supporting Bears - Men's Basketball
Neil McGeachy Coaching Excellence - Emry Tsitouris (Women's Basketball)
LR Logo Award - Michael Flicker
Dr. Amy Wood Supporting Faculty - Dr. Keith Leiting
Supporting Staff Award - Robin Killian