General 4/22/2026 11:30:00 AM

Otterbein revives Cardy Awards, presents senior awards

On Monday, Otterbein Athletics and Otterbein SAAC hosted the revival of The Cardy Awards, a year-end celebration where some of the top moments, teams and performances were recognized. This was the first time the event was held since 2020 and the first in-person ceremony since 2019.

PHOTO GALLERY

In all, 20 Cardy Awards were handed out. Prior to the event, the 23 Senior Awards were passed out at a small reception at Roush Hall, recognizing some of the top student-athletes for their athletic, academic and leadership excellence.

Please see the Cardy Award winners below with the winners in bold.

Top Individual Performance in a Game or Competition
Richmond Honkpo (T&F): For his All-American finish at Indoor Nationals
Payne Ratliff (XC): For his individual win at the OAC Championships
Reece Huber (BKB): For his 15 point, 8 rebound performance in the comeback win at the NCAA Tournament
Charlie Dolliver (T&F): For an All-American finish at Indoor Nationals
Mattie Walburn (BKB): For her 23 point night in the OAC Semifinals
Emerson Baum (VB): For a 26 kill evening in the OAC Semifinals

Top Breakthrough Athlete
Max Luther (LAX)
Jarius Jones (BKB)
Brady Pugh (XC)
Charlie Dolliver (T&F)
Kellie Kennedy (WREST)
Brooke Barb (VB)

Comeback Athlete of the Year
Izaac Swope (T&F)
Patrick Ahrens (SOC)
Jarius Jones (BKB)
Gillian Roeder (LAX)
Ava Stratmann (XC/T&F)
Kayla Lechnir (VB)

Esports Team of the Year
Overwater 2
Super Smash Bros.
Rainbow Six Siege

Most Supportive Team
Men's Golf
Softball
Women's Basketball

Moment of the Year
Austin Burchinal (FB): Blocked field goal to win at Capital
Lincoln Wallace (SOC): Game-winning goal in PKs in OAC Championship
Reece Huber (BKB): Buzzer-beating putback in OAC Semifinals
Ella Schwertfager (SOC): Last-minute save to preserve 1-0 win over Marietta
Rae Ehrbar (SOC): Goal with 10 minutes to play to help win share of OAC Championship
Juju Grubich (BKB): Senior Day layup after medically retiring

Freshman/Sophomore of the Year
Luke Dolan (WREST)
Lincoln Wallace (SOC)
Dominic Theado (BKB)
Emerson Baum (VB)
Cameron Sparks (BKB)
Kate Thormeier (XC)

Junior/Senior of the Year
Jake Morgan (GOLF)
Julian Heckman (BKB)
Richmond Honkpo (T&F)
Olivia Vitaz (VB)
Alexa Luebbe (GOLF)
Caitlin Wilkins (SB)

Best Otterbein Win
Men's Cross Country at OAC Championships
Men's Basketball at NCAA Tournament
Women's Basketball at OAC Championship

Support Staff Member of the Year
Stacey Conley
Dr. Joan Rocks
Skip Ford

Men's Team of the Year
Golf
Soccer
Basketball

Women's Team of the Year
Basketball
Lacrosse
Volleyball

Cardy Charisma Award
Cheerleading

Coaching Staff of the Year
Women's Basketball

Please see the Senior Award winners below.

Dorothy McVay Outstanding Athlete Award: This award is presented to a senior who has displayed outstanding contribution through her dedication, sportsmanship, and participation in athletics. This award is in honor of Dorothy McVay, who has been a generous supporter of Otterbein University Athletics and the Westerville Community.
Alexa Luebbe, Women's Golf

Dr. Joanne Van Sant Leadership Award: This award is presented to a senior athlete who displayed outstanding leadership through her dedication and participation to athletics. The award is in honor of Joanne "Dean Van" Van Sant who played an integral part in developing women's athletics.
Olivia Shore, Women's Wrestling

Dr. Marilyn Day Athletic Scholastic Award: This award is presented to a senior athlete who has placed high value on academic excellence and athletic participation. This award is in honor of Dr. Marilyn Day who was the Women's Athletic Director and Chairman of the Health and Physical Education Department from 1953-1997.
Drew Boettcher, Men's Soccer; Aiden Bruntz, Esports; Kennedi Endsley, Softball

Dick Reynolds Leadership Award: This award is given to a senior who has demonstrated service in both athletics and the community. Dick Reynolds was a 1965 graduate of Otterbein lettering in three sports. He served as head basketball coach from 1972-2012 and Athletic Director from 1993-2012.
Kayla Lechnir, Volleyball; Carter Mottley, Men's Wrestling

Bud Yoest Commitment Award: Presented to a dedicated four-year contributor that has impacted their program, and the department, through passion, selflessness and humility across their journey. Bud Yoest was Otterbein through and through and served proudly in a variety of roles - physical education instructor, athletic director, track and field, football and cross country coach, OAC President, and more.
Theron Cable, Men's Lacrosse; Juju Grubich, Women's Basketball

Nancy Myers Norris Scholastic Award: This award is presented to a male and female student-athlete with the highest GPA in honor of Nancy Myers Norris who graduated from Otterbein in 1961. This award was contributed to Otterbein by Judge Alan Norris in honor of his wife.
Molly Wheeler, Cheerleading; Mason Stuck, Men's Basketball; Jacob Irani, Men's Soccer

Augsburger-Ballenger Outstanding Athlete Award: This honor is awarded to a senior athlete who made an outstanding contribution to Otterbein through dedication and participation in athletics. Both Harold Augsburger and Dwight "Smokey" Ballenger participated in football, basketball, and baseball in the late 1930's and were long time supporters of Otterbein Athletics.
Ian Morgan, Men's Golf; Olivia Vitaz, Volleyball

Roger K. Powell Athletic/Scholarship Award: This honor is awarded to a senior athlete who has achieved high academic excellence while participating in athletics. Roger K. Powell was a 1922 graduate of Otterbein, member of the football team, and longtime member of the Board of Trustees.
Owen Menge, Football; Alyssa Lemos, Women's Soccer

Dr. Jo Ann Tyler Spring Sport Award: This is awarded to an outstanding spring sport participant. This award is in honor of Dr. Jo Ann Tyler who coached tennis and golf and taught in the Health and Physical Education Department from 1962-1997.
Charlie Dolliver, Women's Track & Field; Rachel Miller, Softball

Norris-Elliott Scholastic/Athletic Award: This award is given to a student athlete who achieves high academically and who has lettered in two sports. Alan E. Norris was a track athlete at Otterbein graduating in 1957. He went on to teach at Otterbein before becoming a federal judge. Denton W. Elliott graduated in 1937 after participating in four collegiate sports. He became a lieutenant commander in the US Army and also served as an Otterbein Trustee.
Payne Ratliff and Rachel Ziel, Cross Country/Track & Field

Royal F. Martin Outstanding Spring Sport Award: This award is given to an outstanding spring sports participant. Royal F. Martin was a Coach, Athletic Director, Professor, Dean, and Interim President over his 42 years at Otterbein beginning in 1913.
Max Fickas, Men's Tennis

"Deke" Edler Memorial Athletic Award: This award is presented to an outstanding basketball player who has exemplified athletic and sportsmanship excellence and is in honor of Deke Edler who coached both basketball, played one season for the Cleveland Indians of the National Football League in 1923 and served as the head football coach at Otterbein from 1929-1934.
Jarius Jones, Men's Basketball

Harry W. Ewing Outstanding Football Award: This award is given to an outstanding senior football player in honor of Harry W. Ewing. Ewing who worked at Otterbein from 1934-1958. He served in various roles including Football Coach, Athletic Director, and Physical Education Instructor.
Bryce Mount, Football

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Players Mentioned

#68 Austin Burchinal: DL; 5' 10"; Senior

#2 Owen Menge: WR; 5' 7"; Senior

#63 Bryce Mount: OL; 6' 5"; Senior

#8 Rae Ehrbar: M; 5' 5"; Senior

#16 Alyssa Lemos: M; 5' 4"; Senior

#1 Ella Schwertfager: GK; 5' 8"; Senior

#10 Brooke Barb: OH; 5' 10"; Senior

#13 Kayla Lechnir: OH; 5' 11"; Senior

#25 Olivia Vitaz: S; 5' 10"; Senior

#25 Patrick Ahrens: D; 5' 10"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#68 Austin Burchinal
: 5' 10"; Senior
: DL

#2 Owen Menge
: 5' 7"; Senior
: WR

#63 Bryce Mount
: 6' 5"; Senior
: OL

#8 Rae Ehrbar
: 5' 5"; Senior
: M

#16 Alyssa Lemos
: 5' 4"; Senior
: M

#1 Ella Schwertfager
: 5' 8"; Senior
: GK

#10 Brooke Barb
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OH

#13 Kayla Lechnir
: 5' 11"; Senior
: OH

#25 Olivia Vitaz
: 5' 10"; Senior
: S

#25 Patrick Ahrens
: 5' 10"; Senior
: D