Sussex Academy student-athletes fêted at all-sports banquet

Student-athletes who excelled in competition throughout the 2024-25 academic year were honored June 5 during the Sussex Academy All-Sports Banquet.

Taking place on the turf of Seahawk Stadium, the award ceremony recognized team MVPs, all-conference and all-state athletes, outstanding grade-level players and coach-voted category honors.

Sussex Academy Athletic Director RJ Dina said the banquet is always one of the most exciting nights of the year.

“It’s incredible to see how the event continues to grow along with the number of student-athletes not just participating, but truly excelling in their sports,” Dina said. “I’m incredibly proud of the direction Sussex Academy athletics is heading and the standard our athletes continue to set both on and off the field.”

All-conference and all-state athletes in sport were recognized, as well as both four-year and five-year academic letter and varsity letter athletes.

The Sussex Academy Sports Boosters presented scholarships to Whitman Stout and Brianna Sordi, and coaches presented Most Valuable Player Awards to their deserving student-athletes.

MVP awards were presented to Aiden Villar, boys’ soccer; Debora Williams, girls’ soccer; Savannah Montgomery, girls’ volleyball; Mack Lawson, boys’ volleyball; Rilyn Lehman, field hockey; Grayce Glover, girls’ basketball; Quentin Bowman, boys’ basketball; Katya Geyer, girls’ indoor track; Rylan Podrasky, boys’ indoor track; Peyton Stanislav, girls’ cross country; Ryan Moody, boys’ cross country; Angel Figueroa, boys’ swimming; Anna Mumford, girls’ swimming; Doug Horton, wrestling; Ava Huerta, cheer; Jack Meszaros, boys’ lacrosse; Shelby Manlove, girls’ lacrosse; Delanie Monitzer, softball; JP Eichten, boys’ tennis; Karina Lopez, girls’ tennis; Ryan Moody, boys’ track & field; and Katya Geyer, girls’ track & field.

Awards were presented to outstanding underclassmen athletes, including eighth-graders Edward Hale, swimming; Mady Lehman, field hockey and lacrosse; and Jordan Blades, cross country and soccer.

Outstanding ninth-grade athletes are Mason Glover, basketball and baseball; Gretchen Maughan, swimming and track; and Maeve Lawson, field hockey and lacrosse.

Outstanding 10th-grade athletes are Michael Whitaker, swimming and lacrosse; Carson Klahr, soccer and track; and Grayce Glover, basketball and softball.

Outstanding 11th-grade athletes are Jesse Jean-Louis, soccer and track; and Katya Geyer, cross country and track.

Coaches voted on a number of awards presented to students.

The Scholar Athlete Award is based on the athletes’ GPAs and the number of varsity letters earned throughout their careers. This year’s recipients are Peyton Stanislav, who earned a GPA of 4.38 and 14 varsity letters in cross country, indoor track and track, and Harrison Dabbs, who earned a 4.24 GPA and 11 varsity letters in cross country, indoor track and track.

The Sportsmanship Award goes to the athlete who has displayed a commendable level of sportsmanship and has a record of showing leadership in fair play on the field, in school and at practice. This year’s recipients are Whitman Stout, cross country and baseball, and Brianna Sordi, cross country, indoor track and track.

The Spirit Award is presented to one male and one female athlete who have shown consistently strong support for all teams including their own. This year’s recipients are McKenna Danahy, soccer and golf, and Rilyn Lehman, field hockey and lacrosse.

The Seahawk Coaches Award recognizes team members who made contributions beyond their playing talents and who had a major impact on the success of the entire team, making them difficult to replace. This year’s recipients are Josue Laurore, cross country, indoor track and track, and Savannah Montgomery, volleyball and lacrosse.

The Outstanding Athlete Award goes to the senior male and female considered to be the best overall athletes at Sussex Academy. This year’s recipients are Shelby Manlove, field hockey and lacrosse, and CJ Norton, soccer and golf.

Coaches also selected head swim coach Tom Martiner as Sussex Academy Coach of the Year.