Granville, Ohio (April 6, 2026)- Earlier this month, during Division III week, Denison University hosted the 15th Annual James T. Glerum '82 Top-50 Scholar-Athlete Honors Celebration on Monday, April 6. The event celebrates the top 50 Denison student-athletes of sophomore standing or higher, based on grade point average. They are invited to the banquet, along with a Denison faculty member of their choosing.

The banquet is named in honor of James T. Glerum, a 1982 graduate and Big Red men's basketball team member. During the event, each Top-50 honoree is recognized by their invited faculty member, who delivers a brief introduction to highlight the off-field aspects of student-athletes. This year, the honored seniors took time to highlight the impact of their invited faculty on their time at Denison.

 

In addition to the Top 50 awards (listed below), a handful of additional awards are presented during the banquet. 

James T. Glerum Jr. '82 Presidential Award: The senior recipient will have demonstrated superior athletic and academic accomplishments, outstanding leadership, and service to the university and community. This year's winner is Sarah Sollinger (Women's Soccer)

 

Dr. Larry Scheiderer Award: This award is given to the highest ranking Senior Male Scholar Athlete, based on criteria of grade point average, a varsity team member, and a four-year letterwinner. This year's winner is Cian Nicholas (Men's Lacrosse).

 

Lynn Schweizer Award: This award is given to the highest ranking senior female scholar-athlete, based on criteria of grade point average, a varsity team member, and a four-year letter winner. This year's winner is Grace Lukens (Women's Fencing).

 

Ted Barclay Top Five Award: This award is presented to the five individuals who represent the highest GPA and athletic achievements within the Denison athletic department. This year's winners are Chase Daniel (Football), Jane McNamara (Women's Cross Country), Maddie Schaefer (Women's Swimming and Diving), Sarah Sollinger (Women's Soccer), and Phinnigan Spindler (Men's Cross Country).

 

NCAC Scholar-Athletes: This award is given to one male and one female athlete at each conference institution. The winners are student-athletes who possess a minimum of 3.50 GPA and have contributed significantly to the athletic accomplishments of their team. Drue Thielking (Women's Swimming and Diving) and Kael Shah (Men's Tennis) are this year's winners.

 

Alumni Recognition Award: This award is given to a Denison alum who has contributed to the athletic department through their continued support, encouragement, and enthusiasm. This year's winner is Dana Grandmaison-Gilligan '02.

 

Town and Gown: This award recognizes a local business, organization, or individual who has gone above and beyond to show their support for Denison's athletic programs and student-athletes. This year's winner is Dr. Michael Tiso.
 

Chi Alpha Sigma: Denison's Chi Alpha Sigma chapter provides the opportunity for the university to honor collegiate student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom and athletic competitions. To be eligible to join the honor society, the student-athlete must participate in a sport at the varsity intercollegiate level, achieve junior academic standing, display strong moral character, and earn a 3.4 or higher cumulative grade point average. This year's class included 56 athletes across 18 different sports.

 

2025-2026 Denison Top-50 Student-Athletes:(Alphabetical Order; Name: Year, Sport, Major)

Olivia Amlin: junior, women's cross country & track, HESS

Rose Bohlsen: sophomore, women's track and field, Communication

Andrea Care: sophomore, softball, Mathematics and Finance

Nina Casingal: junior, field hockey, Economics

Katelyn Chiu: junior, volleyball, Data Analytics

Chase Daniel: junior, football, Spanish and Global Commerce

Grace Dressell, sophomore, women's basketball, HESS

Drew Duffy: junior, football, Philosophy, politics and economics

Ayla Dunbar: sophomore, volleyball, Psychology

Jamie Elliott: sophomore, women's basketball, Educational Studies and Math

Andrew Fazio: junior, baseball, Biology

Owen Giannoulias: sophomore, men's basketball, HESS

George Goins: sophomore, men's swimming and diving, Financial economics

Ethan Green: senior, men's tennis, Financial economics

Claire Hamilton: junior, volleyball, Biology

Katie Houpt: senior, women's basketball, Politics and Public Affairs and Journalism

Natalie Isberg: senior, women's fencing, English and Journalism

Jack Johnson: junior, men's swimming and diving, Biochemistry 

Alice Kempf: senior, volleyball, Communication

Emma Lloyd: senior, women's soccer, HESS

Alex Longstreth: sophomore, softball, Biochemistry

Grace Lukens: senior, women's fencing, English literature and Dance

Aly Marshall: junior, women's track and field, Psychology

Siena Maschke: sophomore, women's golf, Global Commerce and Psychology

Katy McCaffrey: junior, volleyball, Biology

Caitlin McLearn: junior, women's lacrosse, Economics

Jane McNamara: sophomore, women's cross country & track and field, English

Whitley Metz: sophomore, volleyball, Biochemistry

Clare Mone: sophomore, women's soccer, Global Commerce and Economics

Adelyn Moore: junior, women's basketball, Biology

Andrew Nachtwey: junior, men's soccer, Economics

Cian Nicholas: senior, men's lacrosse, Economics

Emmett O'Brien: sophomore, men's soccer, Global Commerce

Eric Ott: sophomore, men's track and field, Physics and Math

Madden Phelps: sophomore, field hockey, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Jack Rice: junior, men's soccer, Economics and Philosophy

Maddie Schaefer: sophomore, women's swimming and diving, History & Politics and Public Affairs

Kael Shah: senior, men's tennis, Global Commerce

Kendall Sierens: senior, women's soccer, Communication

Lila Smith: junior, field hockey, Politics and Public Affairs

Sarah Sollinger: senior, women's soccer, Journalism

Phinnigan Spindler : sophomore, men's cross country and track & field, Economics

Joe Teates: sophomore, men's track and field, Computer Science and Math

Drue Thielking: senior, women's swimming and diving, Biology

Josh Thomas: senior, men's swimming and diving, Journalism and Politics and Public Affairs

Elijah Van Farowe: senior, men's track and field, Politics and Public Affairs

Lexi Verdell: junior, women's track and field, Environmental Science

Maryn Zavislak, sophomore, women's soccer, Biology

Jess Zittel: senior, women's basketball, HESS