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Fresno State Athletics highlights student-athlete success at annual Night of Champions
5/11/2026 7:00:00 PM | General
FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State Athletics is proud to celebrate the success of its student-athletes at the annual Night of Champions. Each year, student-athletes are nominated for awards that recognize their talent, dedication and impact in their sport, in the classroom and throughout the community.
BOB DUNCAN BULLDOG OF THE YEAR
The Bob Duncan Bulldog of the Year Award honors one male and one female student-athlete for outstanding athletic achievement and for representing Fresno State with excellence in competition, the classroom and the community.
Jake Heidbreder, Men's Basketball: Jake Heidbreder joined the Fresno State men's basketball program and helped refresh the team culture, making an immediate impact and leading the Bulldogs to their largest single-season turnaround in a decade. Heidbreder earned All-Mountain West honors for the first time by a Bulldog since 2022. He was the team's leading scorer this season and surpassed 1,000 career points along the way. He had the game-winning basket in Fresno State's exciting come-from-behind win over UNLV, highlighting one of the top moments of the season.
Shelby Robinette, Equestrian: Shelby Robinette served as chair of the team's chore committee and emerged as an influential voice on the leadership council. Robinette earned Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors for the second consecutive year while also securing All-Big 12 recognitions in two events, a first in program history. Capping her remarkable career, Shelby became an All-American in both horsemanship and reining for the first time at Fresno State in the last 10 years.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
The Newcomer of the Year Award honors one male and one female freshman or transfer student-athlete who made an immediate impact on their team.
Brayden Walton, Football: Brayden Walton, a true freshman in 2025, was Fresno State's starting left tackle in all games that he was available for this season, becoming the first true freshman to start at the position in program history. He earned All-America honors from multiple media outlets, including
Mackenzie Miller Lung, Swim & Dive: Mackenzie Miller Lung became the program's first-ever Mountain West champion in the 200 breaststroke and the first Bulldog to win multiple conference titles, capturing both the 100 and 200 breaststroke crowns. She set new Mountain West Championship records in the 100 breaststroke (58.17) and 200 breaststroke (2:07.03) while earning All-America Second Team honors in the 100 breast. A three-time Mountain West Swimmer of the Week, she also set program records in the 100 breast, 200 breast and three relay events. She earned four All-Mountain West selections in the 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay, and capped her season with a bronze medal in the 50-meter breaststroke at the Toyota U.S. Open.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
The Memorable Moment Award recognizes the most outstanding team or individual performance of the year. The award is presented to one men's team/athlete, one women's team/athlete for exceptional achievements in competition.
Defeating Boise State on The Blue, Football: Fresno State Football handed Boise State its first home conference loss since 2022 with a 30-7 win on The Blue on November 1, 2025. The Bulldogs earned their largest margin of victory in the series with Boise State since 1996, and its largest margin of victory in Boise ever. The win for the Bulldogs snapped Boise State's 16-game home winning streak, the longest in the country at the time. Fresno State kept possession of the Milk Can trophy, and with the win, became bowl eligible for the fifth consecutive season.
Cierra Jackson's Discus National Championship, Track & Field: Fresno State senior Cierra Jackson became the 2025 women's discus national champion with an NCAA meet record throw of 65.82m/215-11 on her first attempt at the Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on June 14, 2025. Jackson is Fresno State's first-ever outdoor national champion and first individual champion since 1999. The senior Bulldog broke the NCAA meet record that was previously set in 2021 with a mark of 65.01m/213-3. Her own previous personal best was 64.42m/211-4, set earlier this season. Jackson's throw on Saturday moved her up to No. 7 on the all-time collegiate list.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The Director of Athletics Community Service Award honors the team that demonstrated an outstanding commitment to serving the community. Community engagement is a vital part of the mission of both Fresno State and the Athletics Department, and the winner of this award is the department's strongest ambassador for that mission. The winner of this award for the 2025-2026 season is Women's Tennis.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Academic Excellence Award honors a senior student-athlete who has achieved exceptional academic standing while consistently contributing as a team member, demonstrating excellence both academically and athletically. The recipients for the 2025-26 season are Samantha Arredondo (Swim & Dive) and Marcus Jauregui (Track & Field/Cross Country).
SPOC PAUL SCHECHTER COURAGE AWARD
Sierra Pacific Orthopedic Center sponsors the Paul Schechter Courage Award, given each year to a student-athlete who shows courage in overcoming great obstacles, whether physical or otherwise. The winners of the SPOC Paul Schechter Courage Award for 2025-26 are Sky Collins (Baseball) and Jake Bettencourt (Men's Golf).
CODE RED AWARD
The Code Red Award recognizes the team that demonstrated the strongest support for fellow Fresno State student-athletes throughout the year by attending and cheering on Bulldog athletic events. Awarded based on a season-long points system, this honor celebrates school pride, unity and a commitment to supporting the success of all Fresno State programs. The winning team for 2025-26 is Women's Water Polo.
BULLDOG STRENGTH AWARD
The Bulldog Strength Award recognizes one student-athlete from each team who exemplifies excellence in the weight room through leadership, work ethic and consistency. Selected by the strength and conditioning staff, the award honors student-athletes who demonstrate professionalism, passion, humility and a commitment to making both themselves and their teammates better each day. The winners are listed below:
Simeon Harris - Football
Jett Ruby - Baseball
Wilson Jacques - Men's Basketball
Jaden Hunter - Men's Golf
Jaden Tungate - Men's Cross Country
Jose Zarco Sanchez - Men's Track & Field
Kenzie Sirowich - Women's Basketball
Adrianna Runzo - Equestrian
Amelia Garibaldi - Women's Golf
Kennedy Arnitzen - Soccer
Larissa Flores - Softball
Marija Rutkauskaite - Swim
Natalia Bedolla - Dive
Eliza Dunbar - Women's Tennis
Megan Cranley - Water Polo
Rhiannon Walker - Women's Cross Country
Madison Hutton - Women's Track & Field
Olivia Lombardi – Women's Volleyball
FRESNO STATE ATHLETICS NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS AWARD FINALISTS
BOB DUNCAN BULLDOG OF THE YEAR
Men:
Simeon Harris - Football
Jake Heidbreder - Men's Basketball
Griffen Sotomayor - Baseball
Women:
Mackenzie Miller Lung - Swim & Dive
Hailey Andress – Water Polo
Shelby Robinette - Equestrian
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Men:
Brayden Walton - Football
Mikey Boyd - Baseball
Zack Tarter – Men's Golf
Women:
Mackenzie Miller Lung - Swim & Dive
Emilia Long - Women's Basketball
Katelyn Mobley - Water Polo
MEMORABLE MOMENT
Men:
Men's Basketball - 7 point run in six seconds to defeat UNLV
Football - Defeating Boise State on The Blue
Baseball - Defeating Stanford in a series for the first time in 27 years
Women:
Equestrian - Defeating Oklahoma State on the road for the first time in program history
Track & Field - Cierra Jackson Discus National Title
Swim & Dive - Mackenzie Miller Lung 2x MW Champion
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Equestrian
Women's Tennis
Women's Volleyball
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Men:
Marcus Jauregui – Track & Field
Cam Bracha – Football
Jaden Hunter – Men's Golf
Women:
Lynee Sims – Track & Field
Sam Arredondo – Swim & Dive
Ava Tingey – Softball
CODE RED AWARD
Equestrian
Women's Water Polo
Women's Volleyball
*winners in Bold
BOB DUNCAN BULLDOG OF THE YEAR
The Bob Duncan Bulldog of the Year Award honors one male and one female student-athlete for outstanding athletic achievement and for representing Fresno State with excellence in competition, the classroom and the community.
Jake Heidbreder, Men's Basketball: Jake Heidbreder joined the Fresno State men's basketball program and helped refresh the team culture, making an immediate impact and leading the Bulldogs to their largest single-season turnaround in a decade. Heidbreder earned All-Mountain West honors for the first time by a Bulldog since 2022. He was the team's leading scorer this season and surpassed 1,000 career points along the way. He had the game-winning basket in Fresno State's exciting come-from-behind win over UNLV, highlighting one of the top moments of the season.
Shelby Robinette, Equestrian: Shelby Robinette served as chair of the team's chore committee and emerged as an influential voice on the leadership council. Robinette earned Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors for the second consecutive year while also securing All-Big 12 recognitions in two events, a first in program history. Capping her remarkable career, Shelby became an All-American in both horsemanship and reining for the first time at Fresno State in the last 10 years.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
The Newcomer of the Year Award honors one male and one female freshman or transfer student-athlete who made an immediate impact on their team.
Brayden Walton, Football: Brayden Walton, a true freshman in 2025, was Fresno State's starting left tackle in all games that he was available for this season, becoming the first true freshman to start at the position in program history. He earned All-America honors from multiple media outlets, including
Mackenzie Miller Lung, Swim & Dive: Mackenzie Miller Lung became the program's first-ever Mountain West champion in the 200 breaststroke and the first Bulldog to win multiple conference titles, capturing both the 100 and 200 breaststroke crowns. She set new Mountain West Championship records in the 100 breaststroke (58.17) and 200 breaststroke (2:07.03) while earning All-America Second Team honors in the 100 breast. A three-time Mountain West Swimmer of the Week, she also set program records in the 100 breast, 200 breast and three relay events. She earned four All-Mountain West selections in the 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay, and capped her season with a bronze medal in the 50-meter breaststroke at the Toyota U.S. Open.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
The Memorable Moment Award recognizes the most outstanding team or individual performance of the year. The award is presented to one men's team/athlete, one women's team/athlete for exceptional achievements in competition.
Defeating Boise State on The Blue, Football: Fresno State Football handed Boise State its first home conference loss since 2022 with a 30-7 win on The Blue on November 1, 2025. The Bulldogs earned their largest margin of victory in the series with Boise State since 1996, and its largest margin of victory in Boise ever. The win for the Bulldogs snapped Boise State's 16-game home winning streak, the longest in the country at the time. Fresno State kept possession of the Milk Can trophy, and with the win, became bowl eligible for the fifth consecutive season.
Cierra Jackson's Discus National Championship, Track & Field: Fresno State senior Cierra Jackson became the 2025 women's discus national champion with an NCAA meet record throw of 65.82m/215-11 on her first attempt at the Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on June 14, 2025. Jackson is Fresno State's first-ever outdoor national champion and first individual champion since 1999. The senior Bulldog broke the NCAA meet record that was previously set in 2021 with a mark of 65.01m/213-3. Her own previous personal best was 64.42m/211-4, set earlier this season. Jackson's throw on Saturday moved her up to No. 7 on the all-time collegiate list.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The Director of Athletics Community Service Award honors the team that demonstrated an outstanding commitment to serving the community. Community engagement is a vital part of the mission of both Fresno State and the Athletics Department, and the winner of this award is the department's strongest ambassador for that mission. The winner of this award for the 2025-2026 season is Women's Tennis.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Academic Excellence Award honors a senior student-athlete who has achieved exceptional academic standing while consistently contributing as a team member, demonstrating excellence both academically and athletically. The recipients for the 2025-26 season are Samantha Arredondo (Swim & Dive) and Marcus Jauregui (Track & Field/Cross Country).
SPOC PAUL SCHECHTER COURAGE AWARD
Sierra Pacific Orthopedic Center sponsors the Paul Schechter Courage Award, given each year to a student-athlete who shows courage in overcoming great obstacles, whether physical or otherwise. The winners of the SPOC Paul Schechter Courage Award for 2025-26 are Sky Collins (Baseball) and Jake Bettencourt (Men's Golf).
CODE RED AWARD
The Code Red Award recognizes the team that demonstrated the strongest support for fellow Fresno State student-athletes throughout the year by attending and cheering on Bulldog athletic events. Awarded based on a season-long points system, this honor celebrates school pride, unity and a commitment to supporting the success of all Fresno State programs. The winning team for 2025-26 is Women's Water Polo.
BULLDOG STRENGTH AWARD
The Bulldog Strength Award recognizes one student-athlete from each team who exemplifies excellence in the weight room through leadership, work ethic and consistency. Selected by the strength and conditioning staff, the award honors student-athletes who demonstrate professionalism, passion, humility and a commitment to making both themselves and their teammates better each day. The winners are listed below:
Simeon Harris - Football
Jett Ruby - Baseball
Wilson Jacques - Men's Basketball
Jaden Hunter - Men's Golf
Jaden Tungate - Men's Cross Country
Jose Zarco Sanchez - Men's Track & Field
Kenzie Sirowich - Women's Basketball
Adrianna Runzo - Equestrian
Amelia Garibaldi - Women's Golf
Kennedy Arnitzen - Soccer
Larissa Flores - Softball
Marija Rutkauskaite - Swim
Natalia Bedolla - Dive
Eliza Dunbar - Women's Tennis
Megan Cranley - Water Polo
Rhiannon Walker - Women's Cross Country
Madison Hutton - Women's Track & Field
Olivia Lombardi – Women's Volleyball
FRESNO STATE ATHLETICS NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS AWARD FINALISTS
BOB DUNCAN BULLDOG OF THE YEAR
Men:
Simeon Harris - Football
Jake Heidbreder - Men's Basketball
Griffen Sotomayor - Baseball
Women:
Mackenzie Miller Lung - Swim & Dive
Hailey Andress – Water Polo
Shelby Robinette - Equestrian
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Men:
Brayden Walton - Football
Mikey Boyd - Baseball
Zack Tarter – Men's Golf
Women:
Mackenzie Miller Lung - Swim & Dive
Emilia Long - Women's Basketball
Katelyn Mobley - Water Polo
MEMORABLE MOMENT
Men:
Men's Basketball - 7 point run in six seconds to defeat UNLV
Football - Defeating Boise State on The Blue
Baseball - Defeating Stanford in a series for the first time in 27 years
Women:
Equestrian - Defeating Oklahoma State on the road for the first time in program history
Track & Field - Cierra Jackson Discus National Title
Swim & Dive - Mackenzie Miller Lung 2x MW Champion
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Equestrian
Women's Tennis
Women's Volleyball
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Men:
Marcus Jauregui – Track & Field
Cam Bracha – Football
Jaden Hunter – Men's Golf
Women:
Lynee Sims – Track & Field
Sam Arredondo – Swim & Dive
Ava Tingey – Softball
CODE RED AWARD
Equestrian
Women's Water Polo
Women's Volleyball
*winners in Bold
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