Medal of Honor Highlights Annual Awards

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers Athletics announced its end of year awards for the 2024-25 competitive season, including the recipients of the Big Ten Medal of Honor – Kyle Monangai and Chloe Timberg who were part of the conference’s 111th class.

Established in 1915, the Big Ten Medal of Honor is the conference’s most prestigious award. It was the first award in intercollegiate athletics to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on athletics. The Scarlet Knights also bestowed honors for the Male and Female Athlete of the Year for each academic class, Bauer Athlete of the Year as well as the Coursen Award, the Headley-Singer Award and the Werblin Award.

Big Ten Medal of Honor

The Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their collegiate career.

Kyle Monangai – Football 

Finishing as the second-leading rusher in Rutgers history, Monangai became the first Scarlet Knight running back since 2007 to earn All-America honors. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection, two-time All-ECAC pick, two-time captain, three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and MVP of the 2023 Bad Boy Pinstripe Bowl win over Miami. The Roseland, New Jersey, native ran for 3,221 yards and set the program record for most touches (669 rushing attempts, 38 receptions) without a fumble. Posting 14 games with at least 100 rushing yards, Monangai recorded two of the top six rushing seasons by yards in school history and the two highest rushing seasons for RU in the Big Ten era, including claiming the 2023 Big Ten rushing title. He scored 28 total touchdowns for the Scarlet Knights and was picked in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

Chloe Timberg – Women’s Track and Field

Timberg closed out her career at Rutgers as one of the most decorated pole vaulters in program history. The 2024 National Champion in pole vault, Timberg is both the indoor and outdoor record holder. She became the first national champion in track and field since 1983 and the first women’s NCAA champion in school history. Over her illustrious career, Timberg qualified for a combined seven NCAA Championships spanning both the indoor and outdoor seasons. She was a three-time First Team All-American and earned Second Team All-American honors on three other occasions. During her national champion performance in 2024, she set the then-NCAA meet record height of 4.71m (15’ 5.5”), which was tied for the third-best in NCAA history at the time. She ends her time ‘On the Banks’ as a four-time Big Ten Champion, winning pole vault at the 2023 and 2024 indoor championships, and at the 2022 and 2023 outdoor championships. Timberg qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2024 in advance of the Olympic Games in Paris.

Freshman of the Year

This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete of the freshman class and is based on athletic success during the most recent academic year/season.

Dylan Harper – Men’s Basketball

Harper was recognized as third-team All-Big Ten, and the conference's all-freshmen team after amassing 564 total points, the most for a freshman in a season in school history. Harper averaged 19.4 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Harper had three 30-point performances, including scoring 36 against Notre Dame and 37 against Alabama. He also had a triple-double against Columbia on Dec. 30, the first since Roy Hinson in 1983. Harper became the Scarlet Knights highest draft pick in program history as he was selected No. 2 overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Bailee Sturgill – Swimming and Diving

Sturgill was named Big Ten All-Freshman as she reached the podium twice in her first season “On The Banks” on 1M and 3M while qualifying for the NCAA Championships on 1M, 3M and platform and taking the NCAA Zone A platform title. On platform at zones, the Nobelsville, Indiana native won the event with a 10-dive total of 570.30 as the second Scarlet Knight to win a title at this year's zone championships. Sturgill was also third on 1M and fourth on 3M at zones.

Sophomore of the Year

This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete of the sophomore class and is based on athletic success during the most recent academic year/season.

Ian Strong – Football

Strong ended the regular season hauling in a receiving touchdown in each of the last four games, the first Scarlet Knight to achieve the feat since Mark Harrison in 2010. Overall, the Coram, New York, native brought in 43 receptions for 676 yards and five scores, all in the red zone, in 2024 to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten status. The 15.7 yards per reception ranked No. 10 in the Big Ten. He compiled multiple catches in nine games and five or more fives times, posting a career-high seven receptions in the win at Maryland. He had a 65-yard grab against Minnesota, while totaling a personal-best 110 yards at Virginia Tech. That included a catch-and-run of 63 yards late in the game to set up the winning field goal to beat the Hokies. Strong also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

Chiara Saccomando - Rowing

Saccomando earned All-Big Ten Second Team racing with the Rutgers Varsity 8, which placed eighth at the NCAA Championships and second at the Big Ten Championships. The V8 garnered a Big Ten Boat of the Week honor and won their races at the Doc Hosea Invitational and Women's Eastern Sprints, leading to team titles at those events. 

Junior of the Year

This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete of the junior class and is based on athletic success during the most recent academic year/season.

Trevor Cohen – Baseball

Cohen put together one of the best hitting seasons in Big Ten history in 2025, setting a conference and program record with 56 hits in conference play. His .467 average in conference play led the league by 86 points. For the season, Cohen's 24 doubles tied a program record, and his 91 hits are tied with Billy McCarthy for eighth-most in a season in program history. Cohen collected his 200th career hit against Illinois and his 223 career hits are 11th all-time at Rutgers. On the season, Cohen hit .387 with two home runs, one triple and 24 doubles with 36 RBIs and 30 walks to just 15 strikeouts, adding six outfield assists. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team.

Puck Winter – Field Hockey

Winter excelled at center back for RU, leading the nation in defensive saves (nine) for the second straight season. The product of The Netherlands finished the 2024 season with 25 defensive saves for her career and became RU's career record holder in the statistic, surpassing the mark with a career-high four defensive saves against eventual national champion Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. She was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection, as well as All-Region and All-ECAC. She was also on the NFHCA National Academic Squad.

Senior of the Year

This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete of the senior class and is based on athletic success during the most recent academic year/season. This category will encompass any individual who is a senior/5th year/6th year.

Kyle Monangai – Football

A First Team All-Big Ten honoree and Phil Steele All-America selection, Monangai posted six games with over 100 rushing yards in 11 outings on the way to 1,279 yards in 2024, second in the league and the most by a Rutgers player in a season since joining the Big Ten. The Roseland, New Jersey, native had a conference-high 256 carries during the regular season, which were 16 more than any other player despite missing a game. He recorded a touchdown in nine different games in posting 13 rushing and one receiving score. Adding 75 receiving yards, the running back also was second in the Big Ten with 123.1 all-purpose yards per game.

Paulina Niklaus – Field Hockey

Niklaus, from Manheim, Germany, was named a Third Team All-American, First Team All-Region and First Team All-Big Ten selection last season. A starter in all 17 games, she shared the team lead in goals with seven and added three assists for 17 goals. She was also named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team. She was named an NFHCA Scholar of Distinction for the second straight year and was on the NFHCA National Academic Squad.

Bauer Athlete of the Year

This award is given to the one male and one female student-athlete from any class who has consistently performed and excelled in athletic competition at a high level for the most recent academic year/season.

Kyle Monangai – Football

A First Team All-Big Ten honoree and Phil Steele All-America selection, Monangai posted six games with over 100 rushing yards in 11 outings on the way to 1,279 yards in 2024, second in the league and the most by a Rutgers player in a season since joining the Big Ten. The Roseland, New Jersey, native had a conference-high 256 carries during the regular season, which were 16 more than any other player despite missing a game. He recorded a touchdown in nine different games in posting 13 rushing and one receiving score. Adding 75 receiving yards, the running back also was second in the Big Ten with 123.1 all-purpose yards per game.

Chloe Timberg – Women’s Track and Field

Timberg became a two-time Bauer Athlete of the Year as she turned in another stellar performance for her senior year. The indoor and outdoor school record holder in the pole vault, Timberg earned podium finishes at both the indoor and outdoor Big Ten Championships. She finished fourth at the 2025 Big Ten Indoor Championships and earned a medal with a bronze at the 2025 Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Timberg also qualified for the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships. At the indoor nationals, she was named Second Team All-American after finishing 10th. The 2024 national champion, Timberg earned First Team All-American honors at the outdoor championships as she finished second to capture silver in the event.

Coursen Award

This award is for the most outstanding male student-athlete from the graduating class who, during his career at the university, has participated in the intercollegiate athletics program and proved himself to be an athlete of outstanding ability, and has shown determination, courage, modesty, and self-discipline and who, with unselfish devotion to his teammates and generous fairness to his opponents, has represented Rutgers University to the highest of standards.

Hollin Pierce – Football

Pierce, a Phil Steele honorable mention All-America pick, started all 13 games at left tackle this past season and finished his career making 50 consecutive starts on the offensive line. The Trenton, New Jersey, native helped the Scarlet Knights to 28.9 points per game, the best mark since 2008, and 4,975 yards of total offense, fourth-most in a season in program history and the best total since 2014. That included 175.3 rushing yards per game to place third in the Big Ten for the program's best placement since joining the league. The unit permitted two or less sacks in 9-of-13 games with none allowed five times. Pierce rated as the No. 11 tackle nationally by Pro Football Focus, second in the Big Ten, and was previously a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy as one of the top players who started as a walk-on. He was voted Second Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media in 2024, the first RU offensive lineman to earn a spot on one of the three All-Big Ten teams.

Headley-Singer Award

This award is for the most outstanding female student-athlete from the graduating class who, during her career at the university, has participated in the intercollegiate athletics program and proved herself to be an athlete of outstanding ability, and has shown determination, courage, modesty, and self-discipline and who, with unselfish devotion to her teammates and generous fairness to her opponents, has represented Rutgers University to the highest of standards.

Guillermina Causarano – Field Hockey

The Salta, Argentina native was a Second Team All-Big Ten, All-Region and All-ECAC selection this past season after leading the team with seven goals, 10 assists and 24 points. A team captain and member of the NFHCA Senior Team, she had a career-high with three goals against Miami (Ohio) and three assists at Indiana, finishing her career eighth all-time at RU with 23 goals and sixth with 68 points. She was also on the NFHCA National Academic Squad. 

Victoria Grieder – Rowing

Grieder earned CRCA All-America Second Team racing with the Rutgers Varsity 8, which placed eighth at the NCAA Championships and second at the Big Ten Championships. The V8 garnered a Big Ten Boat of the Week honor and won their races at the Doc Hosea Invitational and Women's Eastern Sprints, leading to team titles at those events. Grieder led the Scarlet Knights to the NCAA Championships in all four of her seasons, earning three All-America honors and representing Rutgers on the US Rowing Junior Championships Teams.

Werblin Award

The Werblin Award is given to any male or female student-athlete who, either as an individual or as a member of a team, received national recognition or won a national championship during the most recent academic year.

Dylan Harper – Men’s Basketball

Harper, a third-team All-Big Ten selection and member of the conference All-Freshmen team, became the Scarlet Knights highest draft pick in program history as he was selected No. 2 overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Ace Bailey – Men’s Basketball

Bailey finished regular season play with 527 points good for second in school history as a freshman just behind Harper. Bailey averaged 17.6 points (seventh in the conference), 7.2 rebounds, and shot 45.8 percent from the field. He became the No. 5 overall pick at the 2025 NBA Draft, taken by the Utah Jazz. 

Paulina Nicklaus – Field Hockey

Niklaus, from Manheim, Germany, was named a Third Team All-American, First Team All-Region and First Team All-Big Ten selection last season. A starter in all 17 games, she shared the team lead in goals with seven and added three assists for 17 goals. She was also named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team.  

Kyle Monangai – Football

A First Team All-Big Ten honoree and Phil Steele All-America selection, Monangai posted six games with over 100 rushing yards in 11 outings on the way to 1,279 yards in 2024, second in the league and the most by a Rutgers player in a season since joining the Big Ten. He was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

Hollin Pierce – Football 

Pierce, a Phil Steele honorable mention All-America pick, started all 13 games at left tackle this past season and finished his career making 50 consecutive starts on the offensive line. He helped the Scarlet Knights to 28.9 points per game, the best mark since 2008, and 4,975 yards of total offense, fourth-most in a season in program history and the best total since 2014. Pierce signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent.

Joe Juengerkes – Men’s Lacrosse 

Juengerkes was named an All-American across three publications. He made an instant impact at RU in his first season with the program following a transfer from Princeton. Named a team captain ahead of his first season in a Scarlet Knights uniform, the Islip, New York native was also named Second Team All-Big Ten. A two-time selection to the USILA Team of the Week, the short-stick defensive midfielder had seven goals, four assists, 55 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers. Behind his efforts on defense, Rutgers was seventh nationally in scoring defense at 8.88 goals allowed per game.

Colin Kurdyla – Men’s Lacrosse 

Kurdyla earned his first All-American recognition by the Media Voting by Inside Lacrosse after previously being named a Second Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Tournament team selection. The sophomore from Bridgewater, New Jersey, who was also a Big Ten Preseason Player to Watch, led the team with 27 goals and 40 assists, while also posting 13 assists, second on the team. He was seventh in the Big Ten in goals per game and ninth in points per game. Kurdyla also posted nine goals and 13 points in the five Big Ten regular season conference games, fifth in the league.

Matthew Paolatto – Men’s Lacrosse

Paolatto was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Media Voting by Inside Lacrosse. The Sherborn, Massachusetts native excelled in 2025, his lone campaign as a Scarlet Knight. A Midseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse, he was also once named to the USILA Team of the Week. He won 173-of-292 faceoffs, with 99 ground balls, two goals, four assists and five caused turnovers. He ranked 16th nationally with 6.19 ground balls per game and 15th (second in the Big Ten) with a faceoff winning percentage of 59.2%.

Ryan Splaine – Men’s Lacrosse

Splaine was named an Honorable Mention All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine and was also named Second Team All-Big Ten and All-ECAC. The long-stick midfielder was a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and USILA Team of the Week selection. The Rockville, Maryland native had 49 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers. He was 10th in the Big Ten in ground balls per game and caused turnovers per game. 

Cardin Stoller – Men’s Lacrosse

Stoller excelled as the Scarlet Knights goalkeeper this season, and he was named an All-American across three publications, the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, and a First Team All-Big Ten selection. Behind his efforts in the cage, Rutgers defense was seventh nationally at 8.88 goals allowed per game. He was in the top-12 nationally this season in both goals-against-average (8.85) and save percentage (56.7%). He made 182 saves, third in the league in saves per game. On the season, he also had 36 ground balls and nine caused turnovers, along with two goals.

Lexie Coldiron – Women’s Lacrosse

A 2025 All-American, First Team IWLCA All-Region selection and Second Team All-Big Ten pick, Coldiron finished the regular season as the nation's leader with 196 saves in her first campaign "On the Banks." A graduate transfer from Lafayette, Coldiron also led the Big Ten Conference with 10.80 saves per game and was third nationally with a .505 save percentage in 18 starts. The Pylesville, Maryland, native produced 10 or more saves in 11 games this spring, including a career-high 21 stops against No. 12 Princeton.

Henley Royal Regatta 'A' Boat – Rowing 

Competing at the historic Henley Royal Regatta in England, the Rutgers ‘A’ boat came out victorious on the iconic River Thames in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. The triumph marked the first time in the program's 50-year history that it competed at the prestigious regatta and emerged victorious, defeating Newcastle University in the final on July 6.

The 'A' crew that led Rutgers to victory on the international stage consisted of coxswain Alana Prawl, Elli Arbogast, Kate Pitzel, Beatrice Colclough, Olenka Moran, Mary Ciardiello, Lauren Andersen, Ruby Hatfield, and Louise Dinard. Together, the group of Scarlet Knight rowers outlasted 43 other entries in the Island Challenge Cup while winning five head-to-head races on the one-mile, 550-yard course on the River Thames, bringing Rutgers University to international prominence. 

Lauren Andersen – Rowing 

Andersen earned CRCA All-America Honorable Mention and All-Big Ten First Team honors racing with the Rutgers Varsity 8, which placed eighth at the NCAA Championships and second at the Big Ten Championships.

Hannah Heideveld – Rowing 

Heideveld earned CRCA All-America First Team and All-Big Ten First Team honors racing with the Rutgers Varsity 8, which placed eighth at the NCAA Championships and second at the Big Ten Championships. 

Victoria Grieder – Rowing

Grieder was selected CRCA All-America Second Team, racing with the Rutgers Varsity 8, which placed eighth at the NCAA Championships and second at the Big Ten Championships. 

Lily Wood – Rowing

Wood earned CRCA All-America Second Team and All-Big Ten First Team honors racing with the Rutgers Varsity 8, which placed eighth at the NCAA Championships and second at the Big Ten Championships. 

Emily Mason – Women’s Soccer

Mason signed with NWSL club Seattle Reign for the 2025 season after earning All-Region First Team and All-Big Ten First Team as a senior in 2024. Mason was also selected to the United States Women's National Team Futures Camp and competed with the U23 team in their friendlies in Germany this past Spring.

Riley Tiernan – Women’s Soccer

Tiernan signed with NWSL club Angel City FC for the 2025 season after earning All-Region Fourth Team and All-Big Ten Second Team as a senior in 2024. Tiernan was also selected to compete with the United States Women's National Team U23 squad in their friendlies at Germany this past Spring. 

Sephora Ford – Swimming and Diving

Ford became the sixth Scarlet Knight diver and fourth in the last five seasons to be named an All-American after earning second team honors on platform at the NCAA Championship. Ford qualified for the consolation finals, finishing seventh in the round and 15th overall in the event with a score of 270.00. The Sheffield, England native was runner-up on platform and third on 3M at NCAA Zones.

Katerina Hoffman – Swimming and Diving

Hoffman qualified for the NCAA Championships on all three boards and was the NCAA Zone A Champion on 3M. On 3M at Zones, Hoffman finished with a total of 714.85 with her final six dives totaling 356.45 for the third-highest total in the Rutgers record book. It was the highest score among all zone competitors across the nation on 3M. Additionally, Hoffman finished fourth on 1M and sixth on platform at Zones. Following the season, Hoffman teamed up with fellow Scarlet Knight Bailee Sturgill to take bronze in synchronized platform at the USA Diving Championships and gold at the Canada Diving Cup.

Bailee Sturgill – Swimming and Diving

Sturgill was named Big Ten All-Freshman as she reached the podium twice in her first season “On The Banks” on 1M and 3M while qualifying for the NCAA Championships on 1M, 3M and platform and taking the NCAA Zone A platform title. Sturgill won platform with a 10-dive total of 570.30 as the second Scarlet Knight to win a title at 2025 zone championships. Sturgill was a co-champion in synchronized 3M and teamed up with fellow Scarlet Knight Katerina Hoffman to take bronze in synchronized platform at the USA Diving Championships and gold at the Canada Diving Cup. Additionally, she won the synchronized 3M title at the USA Diving Winter Nationals and silver at the Canada Diving Cup.

Steve Coponi – Men’s Track and Field

Coponi earned his first trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as one of a program-record eight Scarlet Knights to qualify out of the NCAA East Round. Coponi was honorable mention All-American for his performance in the javelin, throwing a distance of 62.82m (206’ 1”) to finish 22nd. 

Charlee Crawford – Women’s Track and Field

Crawford made her first appearance to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, competing in the 400-meter. She ran a time of 53.09 to finish 23rd and earn Honorable Mention All-American. 

Paige Floriea – Women’s Track and Field

In her first season with the Scarlet Knights, Floriea made her debut at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships competing in the long jump. She earned Honorable Mention All-American, finishing 17th with a leap of 6.05m (19’ 10.25”). 

Nico Morales – Men’s Track and Field

In first appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Morales was one of two men’s pole vaulters to represent the Scarlet Knights. Finishing in a tie for 13th with a height of 5.33m (17’ 5.75”), Morales earned Second Team All-America honors.

Kevin O'Sullivan – Men’s Track and Field

O’Sullivan made his debut at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as one of two men’s pole vaulters competing for the Scarlet Knights. He finished with a school record height of 5.53m (18’ 1.75”) to earn a podium finish (tied for seventh) and First Team All-America honors. 

Chris Serrao – Men’s Track and Field

Serrao qualified for his first trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships after running a school record time at the NCAA East First round. Competing in the semifinals of the 110-meter hurdles, Serrao 13.53 to finish 12th and become a Second Team All-American.

Chloe Timberg – Women’s Track and Field

Timberg enjoyed a successful 2024-25 season as she earned podium finishes at both the indoor and outdoor Big Ten Championships. She finished fourth at the 2025 Big Ten Indoor Championships and earned a medal with a bronze at the 2025 Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Timberg also qualified for the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships. At the indoor nationals, she was named Second Team All-American after finishing 10th. Timberg earned First Team All-American honors at the outdoor championships as she finished second to capture silver in the event.

Bryce Tucker – Men’s Track and Field

Tucker was one of three First Team All-Americans for the Scarlet Knights as he earned a podium finish at his first NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Tucker finished eighth in the 400-meter hurdles, running a time of 50.83.

AD’s Excellence Award

Awarded to a student-athlete who attended Rutgers University - New Brunswick for at least four semesters, accumulated a 3.5 or higher GPA throughout the academic year, earned All-America honors or regional first-team accolades during the specific year and demonstrated leadership and character.

Guillermina Causarano – Field Hockey
Paulina Nicklaus – Field Hockey
Victoria Grieder – Rowing 
Sephora Ford – Swimming and Diving