Student-athletes from Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s six sports were honored for their accomplishments in competition and in the classroom during the annual YVC Athletics Awards Ceremony on May 27. 

Receiving top honors as recipients of the Larry Densley Award and Mary Sherar Award, presented to YVC’s Male and Female Athletes of the Year respectively, were Garren Gooler and Brynn Rees.

For the past two seasons, Gooler has been one of best all-around players in the Northwest Athletic Conference. In 2025, he was among the league’s top hitters with a .316 batting average, a performance that led to his selection to the Second Team NWAC East.

Gooler improved on that performance in 2026, hitting .335 and tying for second in the NWAC for both hits (64) and RBIs (50). He earned both First Team NWAC East and Gold Glove honors as an outfielder for the Yaks. Following his success at YVC, Gooler will continue his collegiate career at the University of Portland.

YVC baseball player Garren Gooler receives award from athletic director Ray Funk

ABOVE: YVC baseball player Garren Gooler, left, receives the Larry Densley Award from Athletic Director Ray Funk, recognizing him as the college's top male athlete of the 2025-26 athletic season. TOP: A YVC baseball player during the Athletics Awards Ceremony.

Rees, a sophomore mid-fielder for the Yaks team, was named the NWAC East Region’s 2025 Offensive Player of the Year and a First Team selection. Rees finished third in the NWAC with 14 goals and second in assists with nine, with a .500 shooting percentage.

Rees also was named to the East Region All-Star squad following her freshman season, during which she tallied 14 goals (tied for third in the NWAC) and three assists. She will continue her education at the University of Oregon with plans to major in accounting.

YVC women's basketball player receives award from coach

YVC Women's Basketball Head Coach Lanette Hooper presents the team's Most Improved Player award to Jemini Davis. 

Each team also presented its 2025-26 awards at the ceremony.

Baseball 

  • Mr. Consistency Award: Will Feltus
  • Bobo Brayton Captain’s Award: Garren Gooler
  • Mel Stottlemyre Most Valuable Pitcher: Tannon Marsalis
  • Bill Faller Most Valuable Player: Jackson Walker
  • Bob Garretson Big Stick Award: Jace Fillmore
  • Most Improved Player: Easton Anderson

Men’s Basketball 

  • Horn Award (Freshman to Cary Tradition On): Koby McClure
  • Mr. ManiYak (Top Defensive Player): Kal-El Gentles   
  • Mr. Yaktitude (Positive Attitude Award): Marcelino Armendariz             

Softball 

  • Most Valuable Player: Kassidy Van Soest
  • Most Inspirational Player: Abbie Vargas
  • Most Improved Player: Riley Eckhardt
  • Hustle Award: Cheyenne Justice
  • Coaches Award: Maddie Telles

Volleyball 

  • Most Inspirational: Mikayla Christiansen
  • Most Improved: Lauren Chamberlain 
  • Best Offensive Player: Ava Swan
  • Best Defensive Player: Kamree Mills
  • Coaches Award: Aubrey Tornow

Women’s Soccer 

  • Most Inspirational: Kira Hampshire
  • Best Offense: Brynn Rees
  • Best Defense: Deryn Bala 
  • Best Teammate: Meadow Stone
  • Coaches Award: Gracie Pederson 
  • R.I.S.E. Award: Maya Garcia 

Women’s Basketball 

  • Most Valuable Player: Ashlynn Sylve
  • Most Improved Player: Jemini Davis 
  • Hannah Cordova Most Inspirational Award: Britany Phillips
  • Coaches Award: Gwen Dawes

Story by Dustin Wunderlich, director of community relations. Photos by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA ’05, communications consultant.