FLUSHING, N.Y.- The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) announced the 2025-26 Commissioner's Cup winner as Hunter College, marking a conference-best 14th title for the program. In addition, senior Mateo Penafiel was honored as the CUNYAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, giving the Hawks back-to-back recipients of the prestigious award.

Hunter claimed the Commissioner's Cup for the first time since the 2019-20 season after finishing tied atop the final standings with Baruch College at 118.5 points. The Hawks secured the trophy through the conference tiebreaker, which awards the title to the institution with the most CUNYAC Tournament championships. Hunter captured seven conference championships during the 2025-26 campaign, winning titles in men's and women's cross country, women's tennis, women's swimming and diving, women's basketball and men's and women's outdoor track and field. The Hawks also earned regular season championships in women's tennis and women's swimming and diving.

The Hawks enjoyed a historic year across multiple programs, highlighted by the men's outdoor track and field team winning its first conference championship since 2008 and the women's outdoor track and field team capturing its sixth consecutive title. Women's basketball returned to the NCAA Tournament after claiming the CUNYAC Championship, while both cross country programs continued their dominance with conference crowns. Hunter's success throughout the year ultimately helped secure the department's conference-record 14th Commissioner's Cup title.

Leading the way academically and athletically for the Hawks was Penafiel, who concluded one of the most accomplished careers in program history. A four-year member of Hunter's men's cross country and track and field programs, Penafiel earned multiple All-Conference honors across all three seasons while helping the Hawks win four straight men's cross country championships. He was named the 2024 CUNYAC Cross Country Championship MVP after winning the conference title and was recognized as the conference Performer of the Year this past fall.

On the track, Penafiel capped his career by helping Hunter capture the 2026 outdoor conference championship with a victory in the men's 5,000-meter run and a runner-up finish in the 1,500-meter race. During the indoor season, he anchored Hunter's championship distance medley relay team and captured gold in the 3,000-meter run.

Off the track, Penafiel excelled in the classroom and in the community. The nursing major at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing carries a 3.82 GPA and has completed several clinical and professional experiences, including rotations at Carter Burden Covello nursing home and New York Presbyterian, while also serving as a Nurse Extern at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center. Penafiel has also volunteered with the Metro Christian Center, helping distribute food to disadvantaged communities, and served as Communications Director for the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing Student Association. A seven-time CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete honoree and Dean's List student, Penafiel is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Hunter also had three student-athletes receive honorable mention recognition for Scholar-Athlete of the Year, including Katherine Hanin of women's fencing, Benjamin Landheim of men's cross country and track and field, and Lily Mattison of women's volleyball.