NEW YORK, N.Y.-Â The Hunter College Athletics Department celebrated its annual Awards Banquet on Wednesday evening, honoring student-athletes, staff and graduating seniors while recognizing the many athletic and academic achievements from the 2025-26 academic year.
The evening featured Assistant Athletic Director Juliet Vahos serving as master of ceremonies, while Director of Athletics Terry Wansart delivered virtual remarks reflecting on another successful year for the Hawks.
Hunter College President Dr. Nancy Cantor was in attendance for a special moment, honoring All-American women's basketball player, Alexa Charles. Charles capped off a historic season by setting the NCAA Division III career steals record and tying the all-time triple-doubles mark. The senior guard earned both City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Year honors after leading the Hawks to their first conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth since 2018-19, while also earning CUNYAC Tournament MVP honors. Charles finished her career holding 13 Hunter program records and seven conference records, while leading all NCAA women's basketball players across Divisions I, II and III with 30.9 points per game this season.
Senior Mateo Penafiel of the men's cross country and track and field programs received the Male Golden Hawk Award, the department's highest honor recognizing excellence in athletics and academics. Charles was named the Female Golden Hawk Award recipient.
The Elite 18 Award, presented annually to the graduating senior student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA, most completed credits and significant athletic participation, was awarded to women's fencing standout Katherine Hanin. Hanin graduated in just seven semesters with a perfect 4.0 GPA while earning multiple all-conference honors during her career.
The department also honored longtime fencing coaches Randy Bresil and Natalia Dittren for more than a decade of service and dedication to Hunter Athletics. Bresil has led the men's and women's fencing programs for over 10 years, while Dittren, a former Hunter student-athlete, has served as an assistant coach and mentor within the program.
Women's basketball student manager and recreation worker Mona Elwan earned the Purple and Gold Award in recognition of her service and dedication to Hunter Athletics throughout the year.
The banquet celebrated a memorable year for Hunter Athletics that included seven CUNYAC championships, multiple conference major award winners, numerous all-conference selections and a new class of inductees into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national student-athlete honor society.
The evening concluded with a video tribute highlighting the Hawks' accomplishments throughout a year defined by championship success, academic excellence and dedication both on and off the field of play.
