The annual celebration of another successful year of Mexico Tiger athletics saw dozens of student-athletes recognized for their accomplishments on and off the field during the 2025–26 Block M Athletic Awards.

The awards ceremony, held June 3 in the Mexico High School Avery Skinner Auditorium, brought together coaches, families, teammates and community members for an evening dedicated to celebrating the hard work, perseverance and achievements of MACS athletes throughout the school year.

Athletic Director Andrew Gates congratulated all student-athletes for their dedication and commitment to their teams while reflecting on the value of athletics beyond wins and losses.

“Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts,” Gates said, sharing a quote from legendary basketball coach John Wooden. He encouraged athletes to appreciate every opportunity to compete and to continue demonstrating the effort, resilience and sportsmanship that defined their seasons.

Special awards and scholarships opened the evening, followed by recognition of individual team MVPs from the fall, winter and spring sports seasons. The night concluded with the presentation of the prestigious Laurence “Sparky” Rector Athlete of the Year Awards, the highest athletic honor presented by the district.

This year's recipients were Olivia DeStevens and Brayden Mack, whose achievements, leadership and dedication to their sports earned them the distinction among a talented group of Mexico Tiger student-athletes.

Below are the 2025–26 special award winners and team MVPs.

Special Awards and Scholarships

Laurence “Sparky” Rector Athlete of the Year: Olivia DeStevens, Brayden Mack

Janice Clark Memorial Award: Hailey Workman, Carter Robert

Linda Beyer-Shoults Memorial Award: Rachel Gagnier

Jared R. K. Gates Award: Manuel Pelton-Vazquez, Owen Gilbert, Sara Place

Edward E. Albright Memorial Award: Toby Caroccio, Hailey Workman

Brian Ariola Award: Kole Platek

Charles Giovo II Award: Aubrey Shaffer, Tanner Bellomo

Wally Sutliff Memorial Award – Most Improved: Cheyenne Cook, Kevin Perlet

Charles Giovo Sr. Sportsmanship Award: Kierstyn Ford, Christopher Hermitt

Team MVPs

Fall

• Football: Brayden Mack (Offense), Noah Becker (Defense)
• Boys Soccer: Tyler Huynh
• Girls Soccer: Allie Poissant
• Golf: Samuel Britton
• Girls Swimming: Alessandra Magro
• Girls Diving: Remi Rombough
• Girls Tennis: Jessica Hill, Nataleigh Smith
• Girls Volleyball: Emillie Stanard, Emily McCoy
• Boys Cross Country: Collin Fitzgerald
• Girls Cross Country: Ellie Bryant
• Fall Cheer: Kierstyn Ford

Winter

• Boys Basketball: Christopher Hermitt
• Girls Basketball: Allie Poissant
• Boys Wrestling: Tanner Bellomo
• Girls Wrestling: Sara Place
• Boys Swimming: Jacob Upcraft
• Boys Diving: Ethan Gilbert
• Indoor Girls Field: Riley Massey
• Indoor Girls Track: Haylee Hayes
• Indoor Boys Track: Collin Fitzgerald
• Indoor Boys Field: Blake Horzempa
• Winter Cheer: Zander Mason

Spring

• Baseball: Carter Robert, Brayden Mack
• Softball: Kacee Killam
• Lacrosse: Hailey Workman
• Girls Outdoor Field: Olivia DeStevens
• Girls Outdoor Track: Ellie Bryant
• Boys Outdoor Field: Stanley Schoonmaker
• Boys Outdoor Track: Collin Fitzgerald
• Boys Tennis: Kevin Perlet, Samuel Britton