HAMPTON, Va. (April 20, 2026) … The Hampton University department of athletics honored its student-athletes and celebrated the accomplishments and successes of the 2025-26 athletic teams on April 20 at the annual Awards Banquet at Holland Hall.

Each sport highlighted recognized its Newcomer of the Year, Most Valuable Player and recipient of the Anchor Award. In addition, Hampton's 51 graduating student-athletes were honored.
 
The lacrosse was recognized for posting the highest overall grade point average among men's sports. Melvin Dansby, a member of the lacrosse team, boasted the highest grade point average of all Pirate male student-athletes.
 
The Hampton women's basketball team, women's tennis team and triathlon squad shared the highest team grade point average among women's sports. Priscilla Michel, a member of the Pirate softball team, posted the highest grade point average among women's student-athletes.
 
For their community service work along with support of all Hampton University teams, Lacrosse claimed the Team of the Year while Brianna Charles of the women's track & field squad earned Pirate of the Year recognition. Quarterback Earl Woods III was the recipient of the Townsend Award, the prestigious honor bestowed upon the school's Most Valuable Player in athletics.
 
Football
Newcomer of the Year – Samuel Young III
Most Valuable Player – Korede Sogbesan
The Anchor Award – Jonathan Ward
 
Men's Basketball
Newcomer of the Year – Aidan Haskins
Most Valuable Player – Xzavier Long
The Anchor Award – Daniel Johnson
 
Women's Basketball
Co-Newcomer of the Year – Kiarra McElrath and Aaryn Battle
Most Valuable Player – Kayla Lezama
The Anchor Award – Olivia Smith
 
Lacrosse
Newcomer of the Year – Judah Johnson-Nixon and Maliik Wood
Most Valuable Player – Anthony Bardonille Jr.
The Anchor Award – James Greene
 
Men's Indoor Track & Field
Newcomer of the Year – Ethan Moody
Most Valuable Player – Jayden Poteat
The Anchor Award – Floyd Tucker
 
Men's Cross Country
Newcomer of the Year – Dominic Bassey
Most Valuable Player – Khalid Hamid
The Anchor Award – Mohammad Al-YaFee
 
Women's Indoor Track & Field
Newcomer of the Year – Nyla Felton
Most Valuable Player – Brianna Charles
The Anchor Award – Arriah Gilmer
 
Women's Cross Country
Newcomer of the Year – Avah Savage
Most Valuable Player – Shari Brown
The Anchor Award – Mekayla Wilson
 
Men's Tennis
Newcomer of the Year – Rafael Padilha
Most Valuable Player – Rafael Padilha
The Anchor Award – Benedict Badza
 
Women's Tennis
Newcomer of the Year – Chelsea Chakanyuka
Most Valuable Player – Samira Khazieva
The Anchor Award – Toffee Ghorab
 
Cheer
Newcomer of the Year – Jordyn Bruno
Most Valuable Player – Sanai Charles
The Anchor Award – Lauren Washington
 
Volleyball
Newcomer of the Year – Lillian Campbell
Most Valuable Player – Racquel Frazer
The Anchor Award – Jaya Rimm
 
Soccer
Newcomer of the Year – Jayda Sutton
Most Valuable Player – Avery John
The Anchor Award – Nyla Jennings
 
Softball
Newcomer of the Year – Violet Salazar
Most Valuable Player – Carmynn Bonner
The Anchor Award – Riley Bohannon
 
Sailing
Newcomer of the Year – Ivet Bejar
Most Valuable Player – Jackson Manley
The Anchor Award – Micha Brandel
 
Triathlon
Newcomer of the Year – Meghan Lewis
Most Valuable Player – Niya Buckner
The Anchor Award – Dymonasia Williams and Michelle Morgan
 
Men's Outdoor Track & Field
Newcomer of the Year – Delano Lawrence
Most Valuable Player – Ethan Moody
The Anchor Award – Prince Osagie-Erese
 
Women's Outdoor Track & Field
Newcomer of the Year – Nyla Felton
Most Valuable Player – Brianna Charles
The Anchor Award – Peninah Mutisya

SAAC Staff Awards
Unsung Hero – Jashaad "Jay" Gilmore (athletic training)
Gamechanger – Vonchell Lewis (sports psychology)
Impact Coach of the Year – Sha'keela Saunders (track and field)
 
Men's Team Highest Grade Point Average – Lacrosse
Men's Individual Highest Grade Point Average – Melvin Dansby (lacrosse)
Women's Team Highest Grade Point Average – Women's Basketball and Triathlon
Women's Individual Highest Grade Point Average – Priscilla Michel (softball)
Team of the Year – Lacrosse
Pirate of the Year – Brianna Charles (women's track & field)
Townsend Award – Earl Woods III (football)
 
Graduating Seniors
Women's Soccer
- Taryn Goodwin
- Hasha Holder
- Elodie Metho
- Taylor Lewis-Richardson
- Makayla Wade
- Shania Harris
Women's Basketball
- Tyra Kennedy
- Aisha Dabo
- Le'Asia Foreman
- Kiya Dorroh
- Taylor Gibson
- Olivia Smith
Men's Basketball
- Michael Eley
- Elijah Kennedy
- Xzavier Long
- Peter Oduro
- Josh Ogundele
- Christian Watson
- Kody Williams
Softball
- Aitirinha Aiken
- Carmynn Bonner
- Taylor Ivey
- Violet Salazar
- Jayleen Reeves
Lacrosse
- Myles Johnson
- David Jackson
- Dillon Bethea
- James Greene
- Amar'e Ford
- Canyon Steverson
- Craig Williams
- Darius Stanley
- Trevor Tran
- Kevin Wallace
Women's Track and Field
- Brianna Charles
- Zionn Rice
- Emmani Shaw
- Mekayla Wilson
- Damali Williams
- Nia Warren
Men's Track and Field
- Jaden Clark
- Robert Crawford
- Daye Karibi-Whyte
- Prince Osagie-Erese
- Floyd Tucker
- Mohammed Al-YaFee
Triathlon
- Niya Buckner
Football
- Omari Allen
- Isaiah Freeman
- Aaron Garnett
- Javen Johnson
- Daniel Lane
- Jonathan Ward
- Damarius Stewart
- Harold O'Neal
Cheer
- Sanai Charles
- Mylei Jackson
- Anniyah Pennington
Sailing
- Tyler Brown