The Colorado College Athletics Department staff, coaches and student-athletes gathered in Ed Robson Arena Tuesday night for the 2026 Golden Awards, celebrating the Tigers' 2025-26 athletic accomplishments.
 
Avery Johnson, a senior on the women's basketball team and President of the Colorado College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, opened the evening with a welcome to her fellow student-athletes.
 
The award winners were voted on by the student-athletes and athletics department staff:
 
Best Game – The women's lacrosse team erased a 9–2 deficit with a stunning comeback to defeat rival and #20 University of Chicago. The Tigers scored twice in the final minute to force overtime, then won 15–14, to improve to 4-0 in overtime this season. 

Best Upset(s) – As the No. 5 seed at the SCAC Tournament, the volleyball team rolled to the SCAC title, defeated top-seeded St. Thomas, 3-0, in the semifinals of the SCAC Tournament before downing No. 3 seed Schreiner, on its home floor, in the final.
 
Best Individual Performance – Senior Rabbit Barnes finished runner-up in the mile at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, tying the second-best finish at an NCAA Championships by a CC male athlete and earning his second All-America honor.
 
Community Service Award – Senior Carolyn Dormady of the volleyball team. She is involved with CASA, the San Francisco Superior Court ACCESS Center, the El Paso County Court Self Help Center, Children's Hospital of Colorado Springs and is a  Certified Peer Coach and Mentor. 

Best Team of the Year – The women's tennis team has a 20-3 overall record, the most wins in one season in program history. The Tigers were a perfect 10-0 in the SCAC, winning their first-ever regular-season and conference titles, and will make their first trip to NCAA Tournament since 1986.
 
Coaching Staff of the Year – Tie; Head Coach Jen Buffin and the swimming & diving staff along with Head Coach Anthony Weber and the tennis staff.
 
Newcomer of the Year – Freshman Rayna Welsch of the women's basketball team made an immediate impact with her steadiness, competitiveness, toughness and skill. She was named SCAC "Rookie of the Year" as well as 2nd-Team All-SCAC, finishing in the Top 10 in the league in scoring and rebounding.
 
Character in Action Award – Tie; Juniors Max Burkholder (Hockey) and Teddy Opler (Men's Soccer)
 
Jerry Carle Weight Room Award (Female) – Junior Sofia Mancino (Women's Lacrosse)
 
Jerry Carle Weight Room Award (Male) – Sophomore Max Vota (Men's Lacrosse)
 
Diversity and Inclusion Award – Junior Zaniya BrunoMunn (Women's Track & Field)
 
Tiger Gold Award (Best Tiger Spirit) – Senior Libby Ochs (Volleyball)
 
Climbing Tiger Award – Senior Andie Will (Women's Basketball)
 
Mentorship Award – Senior Kennedy Andrews (Men's Basketball)
 
Faculty Champion Award - Lora Louise Broady (Economics and Business)
 
Senior Male Student-Athlete of the Year – Senior Rabbit Barnes (Men's Cross Country / Track & Field)
 
Senior Female Student-Athlete of the Year – Senior Alison Mueller-Hickler (Women's Cross Country / Track & Field)
 
Service & Collaboration Award – Dr. John Pak
 
Chris M. Quon Award (Established by the SAAC in 2010 following Quon's untimely death after graduating from CC in 2009) – Senior Avery Johnson (Women's Basketball)