MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois Athletics celebrated another memorable year at the annual WESPYS Awards, honoring the student-athletes, teams, and individuals who made a lasting impact throughout the 2025–26 season.

Baseball's Liam Bushey headlined the night, taking home both Best Male Individual Performance and Male Athlete of the Year after a standout season. On the women's side, Payton Brown put together an impressive year for Softball, earning Best Female Individual Performance while also sharing Female Athlete of the Year honors with Women's Basketball's Mia Nicastro.

One of the most meaningful moments of the night came with the presentation of the Hunter Mason Courage Award, which was awarded to Ryan McCombs. The honor recognizes a student-athlete who demonstrates perseverance, strength, and resilience, and McCombs' story made a lasting impact on everyone in attendance.

Team success was front and center as well. Men's Soccer earned Best Male Team Performance for its signature moment during the season, while Women's Basketball capped off a big year by winning both Best Female Team Performance and Team of the Year.

Several newcomers made their presence felt right away. Cason Carswell (Football) and Mallory Shetley (Women's Basketball) were named Newcomers of the Year after making immediate impacts in their first seasons in Macomb.

Growth across programs showed up in the Most Improved categories, with Owen Howe (Men's Golf) and Mana Fawcett (Women's Tennis) recognized for the strides they made throughout the year. Contributions that don't always show up in the box score were honored as well, as Justin Buckner (Football) and Hana Daoudi (Women's Soccer) were named Unsung Heroes.

The Leatherneck of the Year awards highlighted the all-around leaders within the department. Joel McIntyre (Men's Soccer) and Addi Brownfield (Women's Basketball) were recognized for the way they represent Western Illinois in competition, in the classroom, and in the community.

Giving back remained a big part of the year, with Nadia Kessling (Women's Track & Field) earning the Individual Community Service Award, while the Softball team took home the Team Community Service Award.

In the classroom, Richard Brown (Men's Track & Field) and Audrey Pender (Volleyball) were named Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Women's Tennis led all programs with a 3.85 GPA, while Baseball posted the top men's team GPA at 3.05.

Additional awards included Gia Gardner being named Cheerleader of the Year, Caleb Brown (Men's Track & Field) and Allie Meadows (Women's Basketball) earning Strength Athlete of the Year honors, and Women's Tennis claiming the Rocky's Cup.

The WESPYS Awards continue to highlight what makes Western Illinois Athletics special success in competition, commitment in the classroom, and a strong presence in the community.

2026 WESPYS Award Winners:

• Best Male Individual Performance: Liam Bushey – Baseball

• Best Female Individual Performance: Payton Brown – Softball

• Best Male Team Performance: Men's Soccer

• Best Female Team Performance: Women's Basketball

• Male Athlete of the Year: Liam Bushey – Baseball

• Female Athlete of the Year: Mia Nicastro (Women's Basketball) & Payton Brown (Softball)

• Male Newcomer of the Year: Cason Carswell – Football

• Female Newcomer of the Year: Malory Shetley – Women's Basketball

• Male Most Improved: Owen Howe – Men's Golf

• Female Most Improved: Mana Fawcett – Women's Tennis

• Male Unsung Hero: Justin Buckner – Football

• Female Unsung Hero: Hana Daoudi – Women's Soccer

• Team of the Year: Women's Basketball

• Male Leatherneck of the Year: Joel McIntyre – Men's Soccer

• Female Leatherneck of the Year: Addi Brownfield – Women's Basketball

• Individual Community Service Award: Nadia Kessling – Women's Track & Field

• Team Community Service Award: Softball

• Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Richard Brown – Men's Track & Field

• Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Audrey Pender – Volleyball

• Top Team GPA Awards: Women's Tennis (3.85), Baseball (3.05)

• Cheerleader of the Year: Gia Gardner – Cheerleading

• Male Strength Athlete of the Year: Caleb Brown – Men's Track & Field

• Female Strength Athlete of the Year: Allie Meadows – Women's Basketball

• Hunter Mason Courage Award: Ryan McCombs

• Rocky's Cup Champion: Women's Tennis

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