WESTERVILLE – Recent graduates Rae Ehrbar and Julian Heckman were the Otterbein recipients of the Ohio Athletic Conference Clyde A. Lamb Award. They were both recognized at the 42nd annual OAC Awards Banquet on Monday at The Point on campus. 

Ehrbar leaves Otterbein with a plethora of accolades to her name as a proud member of the Cardinal women's soccer program. The 2025 OAC Co-Midfielder of the Year was also a two-time All-OAC honoree, two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection,and a two-time OCSA All-Ohio pick. This season, Ehrbar was recognized as a First Team All-Ohio and First Team Academic All-Ohio student-athlete, celebrating her accomplishments on and off the pitch. As both a junior and senior, she was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

On the field, Ehrbar produced a senior campaign that saw her score a team-best nine goals, adding one assist while starting all 18 games. Three of her nine goals proved to be game-winners, while also being named a team captain.

Heckman concluded his Otterbein career as a member of the historic 2025-26 men's basketball team, graduating as part of the winningest class in over 20 seasons. The 2023 OAC Freshman of the Year earned All-OAC accolades three times over the course of his career, culminating with First Team honors as a senior. In 2026, he was a NABC First Team All-Region honoree, a Third Team D3hoops.com All-Region pick and earned a spot in the NABC Senior All-Star Game.

Heckman led the Cardinals in scoring, averaging 13.2 points per game while logging nearly 35 minutes per game. He added 4.8 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game and 2.7 steals per game. On Dec. 29, Heckman became the newest member of Otterbein's 1,000 career point club. His 401 career assists rank him fifth all-time in program history. While Heckman was not present at Monday's event, head coach Andy Winters accepted the award on his behalf. 

"We are so proud of Rae and Julian," said head women's soccer coach, Brandon Koons. "The Clyde Lamb Award is a tremendous honor and it couldn't go to two more deserving student-athletes."

To be eligible, one more participate in an OAC sponsored sport for at least two seasons, hold a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 and conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner that has brought credit to the student-athlete and their institution. One male and one female from each school earn the award. 

Learn more about Ehrbar, Heckman and the rest of the 2026 Clyde A. Lamb Award winners in this year's program.