EASTON, Pa. – The 2022 PARDees, the annual awards show which recognizes Lafayette's senior student-athletes, closed out the school year on Friday night in Kirby Sports Center.

Seniors Dylan Minghini, Leanna Deegan, Audrey Sawers and Ryan Tall were recipients of the school's top athletic honors, the Charles L. Albert '08 Award and the Class of 1913 Trophy. The Albert Award is presented annually to the senior male and female student-athletes who are judged to be the most outstanding athlete. The 1913 Trophy is presented to those who have attained the greatest distinction both as an athlete and a scholar. The winners were determined by a vote from Lafayette's head coaches and athletic administration.

Minghini was the male recipient of the Class of 1913 Trophy. An All-Patriot League Second-Team selection at catcher in 2022, Minghini appeared in 126 games. As a senior, he was second on the team in hitting (.288) RBI (33) and doubles (9) while hitting a team-best seven home runs. In the classroom, he boasts a 3.9 GPA and is slated to graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. 

Deegan enjoyed one of the best individual seasons ever for a Lafayette volleyball player, earning Patriot League Player of the Year honors in 2021 to go along with her second straight All-Patriot League First-Team selection. Deegan led the nation in kills per set (5.76) and points per set (6.14) while guiding her Leopard squad to its best overall conference record in program history at 12-4. A Civil Engineering major, she maintains a 3.4 cumulative GPA.

Sawers was the top female vote-getter for Albert '08 award. She was a two-time All-Patriot League First-Team selection in field hockey while also garnering Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 when she guided the Leopards to the Patriot League Tournament championship game. Sawers scored 11 goals and dished 12 assists to lead the team in both categories. An NFHCA All-Mid-East Region First-Team honoree as a senior, she was named to the Canadian Women's National Team in December when she graduated with degrees in Economics and Art. 

Tall, who is coming off a Patriot League individual title in golf, secured the Albert '08 Award. He was the Patriot League Player of the Year in 2022 and a two-time All-Patriot League selection. He just wrapped his season with an appearance at the NCAA Men's Golf Championship Regional held at Yale University. He will graduate with degrees in Economics and Government and Law, carrying a 3.4 GPA.

The Courage Award, given to one student-athlete who possessed strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to display positivity following a hardship, went to Billy Prebola, a javelin thrower on the men's track and field team. Prebola battled through injuries during his career, but shined in his senior season and captured the javelin title at the Penn Relays with a school record throw of 218'10" while taking fourth in the Patriot League Championships.

The Oaksie Award, presented to senior student-athletes whose multi-year commitments have made lasting contributions to the Lafayette community, was given out to Sam Kirby of the men's lacrosse program and Alix Talkow of field hockey, who ended in a tie in the voting.

Kirby was described by his coach, Pat Myers, as a "consistent contributor and servant leader" for the Lafayette men's lacrosse program. Despite suffering a career-ending injury, Kirby remained engaged with the program as a team manager while shepherding service and volunteer efforts.

Talkow was described by her coach, Jennifer Stone, as "an incredible example of a selfless leader." She was a starter as a senior, helping lead the team to the Patriot League title game. Off the field, she served as the president of SAAC and was a significant influence in the creation of the field hockey mentorship program.  

The P.A.R.D.S.  Award, which recognizes one student-athlete for striving toward the values Lafayette Athletics embodies: Passionate, Accountable, Resilient, Driven and Selfless, was presented to Naomi Ganpo of the women's basketball team. Ganpo has been an active member of the Lafayette community while excelling in the classroom as a Biology major and being a committed basketball player who developed into a reliable contributor in the low post. Ganpo has dedicated countless hours to service through clubs and organizations and her coach Kia Damon-Olson summarized her contributions by saying that "our team and community are better, in part, because of Naomi's development as a leader."

Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman delivered additional remarks at the annual event leading up to Saturday's 187th Commencement. The event was hosted by Gary Laubach, the play-by-play voice of the Lafayette Sports Network.

A stole ceremony followed the PARDees, as all senior student-athletes received a stole to wear at commencement with their academic regalia. Fifty-nine seniors were noted for their induction for Lafayette's third class of Chi Alpha Sigma, a national scholar-athlete society.