CSUN Celebrates Its Student-Athletes at Third Annual Matty Awards

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

Photo by: Connor Clark

CSUN Celebrates Its Student-Athletes at Third Annual Matty Awards

4/29/2026 3:14:00 PM | General

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - CSUN celebrated the best of Matador Athletics in 2025-26 on Monday night (Apr. 27) as CSUN student-athletes and staff gathered at the Northridge Center on campus for the third annual Matty Awards and Senior Sash Ceremony.

The Matty Awards, preceded by the annual Senior Sash Ceremony, opened with remarks from SAAC Co-Presidents Marin Byars and Madison Shepperson. Director of Athletics Ryan Swartwood then shared his thoughts before turning the podium over to CSUN President Erika D. Beck. Byars and Shepperson then returned to the stage and thanked members of the Athletics Department who have impacted their collective experience as CSUN student-athletes.

Each graduating student-athlete was then presented his/her CSUN Athletics sash for graduation by the Matador Achievement Center staff. The annual ceremony celebrated senior and graduate student-athletes.

The evening's festivities then returned to the Matty Awards, an event that honors student-athletes in several informal categories, including Team Hype Man/Woman, Team DJ, Biggest Yapper, Ms./Mr. Clutch, Unc Awards, Iron Matador, Coach of the Year, Matadors of the Year, and Champions Cup team winners.

The awards were handed out by various Matador student-athlete emcees; Jay Louison-Roe (Men's Track & Field), Hayden Mauldin (Women's Soccer), Nadia Munoz (Women's Track & FIeld), Kim Turgut (Women's Golf), and Alyssa Schuhlein (Beach Volleyball). Student-athletes in each sport were honored in five categories as voted upon by their fellow student-athletes.

Awards were also handed out by the CSUN Sports Performance Team (Iron Matador Award), the CSUN Strategic Communications Team (Coach of the Year), CSUN Director of Athletics Ryan Swartwood (Matador of the Year), and CSUN Deputy Director of Athletics Sonia Hahn (Champions Cup).

2026 MATTY AWARD WINNERS

Team Hype Man/Woman Award Winners
(The emotional engine of the team - brings energy to every practice, lift, and game)

Baseball - Will Linberg
Softball - Ta'Tiannah Wright
Beach Volleyball - Maleya Miles
Men's Volleyball - Joel Eanes
Women's Volleyball - Jan Marie Duhaylungsod
Men's Soccer - Ryan Chu
Women's Soccer - Hayden Mauldin
Men's Track & Field/XC - Gabe Martinez
Women's Track & Field/XC - Katherine Shipp-Davis
Men's Basketball - Jordan Brinson
Women's Basketball - Laini Dahlin
Men's Golf - Tavin Boman
Women's Golf - Gracie Piar
Women's Tennis - Nicole West
Water Polo - Marin Byars

Team DJ Award Winners
(The person who controls the soundtrack of the season with elite playlists)

Baseball - Adam Christopher
Softball - Isabella Valdez
Beach Volleyball - Rylie Sieben
Men's Volleyball - Nir Eitan
Women's Volleyball - Julia Bazylevych
Men's Soccer - Michael Blevins
Women's Soccer - Jackie Victorio
Men's Track & Field/XC - Ja'Patrick Smith
Women's Track & Field/XC - Shaunise Tu'ua
Men's Basketball - Jordan Brinson
Women's Basketball - Alondra Lizama
Men's Golf - Ethan Posthumus
Women's Golf - Meghan Paracuelles
Women's Tennis - Madison Shepperson
Water Polo - Alexis Smith

Biggest Yapper Award Winners
(Always talking - whether it's motivating teammates, calling out encouragement or keeping the bench engaged)

Baseball - Jack Jones
Softball - Katie Dunakin
Beach Volleyball - Ava Rogers
Men's Volleyball - Joel Eanes
Women's Volleyball - Kyleigh Moore
Men's Soccer - Daniel Garcia
Women's Soccer - Siena Navrarra
Men's Track & Field/XC - Ehinome Inegbenoise
Women's Track & Field/XC - Emily Hutchinson
Men's Basketball - Josiah Davis
Women's Basketball - Maya Contreras
Men's Golf - Liam Judkins
Women's Golf - Kim Turgut
Women's Tennis - Emma Moratalla Sanz
Water Polo - Erika Staine

Ms./Mr. Clutch ward Winners
(These individuals thrive under pressure and consistently rise to the moment when the stakes are highest)

Baseball - Vaughn Coleman
Softball - Maddie Padilla
Beach Volleyball - Hannah Heflin
Men's Volleyball - Jordan Lucas
Women's Volleyball - Paige Sentes
Men's Soccer - Dorian Drucks
Women's Soccer - Cailey Jackson
Men's Track & Field/XC - Walter Pierce
Women's Track & Field/XC - Lilit Arakelyan
Men's Basketball - Larry Hughes II
Women's Basketball - Rita Nazario
Men's Golf - Bryson Barnes
Women's Golf - Kim Turgut
Women's Tennis - Emma Moratella Sanz
Water Polo - Sofia Martinez

UNC Award Winners
(Each team's "veteran presence" - wise, steady, and always offering advice)

Baseball - Adam Christopher
Softball - Raegan Jackson
Beach Volleyball - Ainsley Patrick
Men's Volleyball - Santiago Mendoza
Women's Volleyball - Tatiana Turgeon
Men's Soccer - Yart van Lieshout
Women's Soccer - Riley Liebsack
Men's Track & Field/XC - Wyatt Wiggins Jr.
Women's Track & Field/XC - Summer Mosley
Men's Basketball - Jordan Brinson
Women's Basketball - Mariona Cos-Morales
Men's Golf - Domenic De Luca
Women's Golf - Gracie Piar
Women's Tennis - Vitoria Solis Uridales
Water Polo - Alexis Smith