CSN’s Best Had Their Night: Coyote Athletics Celebrates 10 Years of Honoring Its Own

Ten years in, the Coyote Athletic Awards Banquet still delivers. On April 20, CSN filled the Student Union Ballroom on the Charleston campus with the athletes, coaches, and staff who make CSN sports worth watching, and handed out hardware to the ones who stood out most.

The academic spotlight went to two athletes who figured out how to compete at a high level while keeping their grades even higher. Kassandra Gonzalez of women’s soccer earned Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and baseball’s Bryce McKnight took the male honor, both recognized for carrying the highest cumulative GPAs in their programs over two semesters.

Baseball had a big night overall. Evan Festa was named Male Athlete of the Year, the evening’s top individual honor, and Christopher Wrench picked up Rookie of the Year. Jacob Nelson added the male Coyote Spirit Award. On the women’s side, Saroiya “Cici” Ajomale of women’s basketball was named Female Athlete of the Year, with softball’s Athena Tonga’onevai earning the Spirit Award and Chloe Tepraseuth taking Rookie of the Year honors.

Dominic Tsao of men’s cross country was one of the night’s most recognized athletes, earning both the Unsung Hero Award and the Individual Service Award for his loyalty, dedication, and commitment to giving back. He was joined in the Unsung Hero category by softball’s Justice Lavin and volleyball’s Tia Alofipo.

The softball program had an exceptional evening as a whole. In addition to multiple individual honors, the team took home the Team Community Service Award, the traveling trophy given to the program that puts in the most work off the field.

Head softball coach Ashley Rogers was named the Dexter Irvin Coyote Coach of the Year, a fitting cap to a dominant night for her program.

The evening also made room for the people behind the scenes. Cheer coach Monah Doyle and Media Services’ Michael Winter each received a Coyote Spirit Award, recognizing the staff and faculty who keep Coyote Athletics running.

A decade of this banquet means a decade of stories like these. CSN’s athletic programs keep producing them.

To see all the photos from the evening, please visit: https://visualzbyava.pixieset.com/csnathleticsbanquet2026/