POMONA, Calif. – The Cal Poly Pomona Department of Intercollegiate Athletics celebrated its student-athletes, coaches, and staff at the annual Night of Excellence awards presentation on Tuesday night in the Bronco Student Center. The ceremony recognized the outstanding accomplishments of the Athletics Department during the 2025-26 academic year.
 
As a department, CPP win-loss-tie sports currently have an overall record of 118-50-8, good for the third-highest winning percentage in school history (.693). This also includes .740 winning percentage on the road, with their 56 road victories marking the most in department history. The Broncos have now had a department winning percentage above .500 for the past 17 consecutive years.
 
This year, CPP had 44 CCAA Athletes of the Week across all sports, breaking UC San Diego's 43 for most by a department in an academic year. The Broncos' record spanned across all 10 CCAA-sponsored sports, marking the first time in department history that every sport had at least one honoree in the same academic year.
 
The student-athletes were champions in and out of the classroom, owning an overall 3.36 GPA this past Fall, the second-highest GPA in department history. Exactly 216 of the 268 student-athletes at CPP earned a GPA of 3.00 or higher, equating to 81 percent of the department. Additionally, 139 student-athletes made the Dean's List, the most in department history.
 

 
Student-Athlete of the Year
This award, in which individuals are nominated from each of the head coaches, then voted on by department administrators and staff, represents the highest athletic acclaim a student-athlete at Cal Poly Pomona can earn. While CPP produces dozens of All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American performers every year, just two individuals can say they were selected as CPP's Athlete of the Year.
 
Sydney Nelson – Women's Basketball
Nelson was named a First Team All-American, First Team All-West Region, and First Team All-CCAA. She led her team to a West Region Title, being named the NCAA West Regional MVP, and was also named to the CCAA All-Tournament Team, and was a 2-time CCAA Player of the Week. Nelson averaged 30 minutes, 18 points, and 5 rebounds per game, and now ranks 9th all-time in points scored at CPP.
 
Ricardo Vargas – Men's Cross Country / Track & Field
Vargas was an All-American with a 21st place at the Cross Country National Championships. He earned All-West Region and All-CCAA honors with podium finishes in both races, and was named CCAA Runner of the Week. He ran the second-fastest 10K time in school history at the West Regionals, and won the Cougar Challenge with a 1st place finish out of 122 runners. This spring, Vargas currently ranks Top 25 in the nation in both the 5K and the 10K.
 
Freshman of the Year
This is the fifth year the department has honored one male and one female as Freshman of the Year. Individuals are nominated by their head coach, then voted on by the athletics department administrators and staff members.
 
Jenna Tetrault – Women's Soccer
Tetrault helped lead her team to an NCAA West Region Title, being named CCAA Goalkeeper of the Year, All-CCAA First Team, and All-West Region. She started in all 24 matches, totaling 54 saves and over 2,000 minutes played. Tetrault also broke the CPP single-season record for best goals against average, allowing just 0.5 goals per game.
 
Khalil Watson – Men's Track & Field
Watson won the 400 meters at the Mangrum Invite with a time of 47.17, which currently ranks 2nd in the CCAA and 5th in the West Region. That mark is also the 5th fastest time in school history. Watson was also the anchor on the 4x400 relay team that ranks 3rd in the CCAA this season.
 
Newcomer of the Year
Just like the Freshman of the Year award, this is the fifth year the department has honored one male and one female as Newcomer of the Year. Individuals are nominated by their head coach, then voted on by the athletics department administrators and staff members. This award is given to the student-athlete deemed to have made the most impact on their team after transferring from another institution.
 
Renee Nachtigall – Volleyball
Nachtigall played in all 98 sets for volleyball. She ranked second on the team with 38 aces, was third on the team with 259 digs, and ranked Top 200 in the country in both aces and aces per set. Nachtigall also helped her team win their second consecutive CCAA Regular Season Title. 
 
Marvin Gamez – Men's Soccer
Gamez was named CCAA Newcomer of the Year, All-West Region Second Team, All-CCAA First Team, and CCAA Offensive Player of the Week. He appeared in 18 matches, leading his team with 8 goals scored and 5 assists, including the game-winning goal against UC Merced.
 
Iron Bronco
The third year of the award, the Iron Bronco is given to one male and one female student-athlete that showcased sheer dedication, strength, and unwavering perseverance in the pursuit of excellence in health and fitness. Individuals were nominated and voted on by the CPP Sports Performance staff.
 
Keke Scott – Women's Basketball
From Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Senyo: "Scott is a leader in the weight room. Coming back from an injury, she was in the weight room 5 days a week, always asking, 'What more can I do and how do I make this tougher?' She is coachable and incredibly determined in the weight room. She is always the first person to grab heavier weight. She set a new personal best in the hang clean at 150 and a 215 deadlift while in the middle of her season."
 
Cory Gamero – Men's Track & Field
From Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Senyo: "Gamero came to Cal Poly Pomona as a transfer. During his two years in the program, he has set new PRs in the weight room every semester. He never has a bad training day. During his senior year, he has set new benchmarks for himself and his teammates with a 309 clean, 253 snatch, 371 front squat and 333 bench. He leads his throws team in all categories."
 
 
Additional Award Winners

• Terri Brown Bronco Spirit Award – Christina Gonzales
• Female Hal Charnofsky Award – Vivian Martinez
• Male Hal Charnofsky Award – Leroy Crook Jr.
• Female Senior Scholar Award – Marisa Salazar
• Male Senior Scholar Award – Kevin Simeth
• Team Academic Excellence – Women's Volleyball (3.67 GPA)
• SAAC Presidential Appreciation Award – Hanna Schneider
• CCAA President's Cup Presentation by Commissioner Allen Hardison