The 2025-2026 Athletic Banquet was held on May 15 to honor this year’s sports programs. Along with each team handing out Most Valuable Player awards, the athletic department presented special and major awards to senior athletes.
Also honored at the banquet were three key members of the Lions’ athletics department who will be retiring, stepping away, or changing roles. Don Denman recently announced his retirement after 33 years as the Grounds Supervisor, taking care of the school’s fields and playing surfaces. In his honor, the baseball program introduced the Don Denman Dependability Award, presented to a player who “embodies sacrificial servant-leadership.” Athletic Director Sean Lissemore, who has spent seven years leading the Lions’ athletics programs, also announced that he will be stepping away from his role. Mark Sullivan will be the interim Athletic Director while the search for a permanent replacement takes place. Sullivan had served the school for over 40 years in various positions as an administrator and coach. Finally, varsity basketball coach Greg Guiler will no longer lead the basketball team, as he is transitioning to head of the school’s Physical Education Department. Guiler is the school’s all-time wins leader, earning his 400th career win this past season, and won three SPC championships during his tenure and one as the head coach of the golf team in 2025.
MVPs
FALL SEASON
Cheerleading – Devyn Gilardi and Betty Wimberly
Cross Country – Jackson Bailey
Fencing – Enzo Henry
Football – David Dickson
Volleyball – Ethan Yau
Water Polo – Oliver Geheb
WINTER SEASON
Basketball – Dawson Battie
Soccer – Kazim Hussain
Swimming – Armaan Newaskar
Wrestling – Oliver Loehr
SPRING SEASON
Baseball – Jake DeBoever
Crew – Elijah Kraus
Golf – Duff McKay
Lacrosse – Rocco Renda
Tennis – Nathaniel Hochman
Track and Field – Max and Riggs Bean
SPECIAL AWARDS
Special Awards are given to senior athletes other than MVP award winners for their contributions through attitude, performance and sportsmanship to the overall success of St. Mark’s athletics’ programs.
Ian McGowan
David McAtee
Marshall Bagley
Peter Rubi
Spencer Hopkin
Whit Turner
Alex Dahlander
Hudson Da Rosa
THE TONY BRIGGS SPIRIT AWARD
“The Tony Briggs Spirit Award is presented to a senior who has been constructively active in creating spirit and enthusiasm among the student body to the support of athletic teams and events, has been engaged in a variety of athletics as a competitor, has displayed, as a participant, enthusiasm and dedication, and has shown sportsmanship among the students and athletes of schools with which we compete.”
Weston Chance
THE RED BARR AWARD
“The Red Barr Award is presented to a senior who has demonstrated the ideals by which Red Barr lived: patience, understanding, sportsmanship, and dedication to excellence in the classroom as well as on the playing field.”
Andrew Zhang
ARNOLD E. HOLTBERG ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP AWARD
“Presented to a senior who embodies the ideals of character and leadership in every facet of his participation on the playing field, in the locker room, and around campus. Never losing sight of the virtues of sportsmanship and honor, this young man has upheld the school’s highest traditions in his quest for excellence from himself, his teammates, and his peers.”
Oliver Geheb
THE THOMAS S. ADAMS ATHLETIC PLAQUE
This is the highest athletic award presented to a senior “For consistently fine contributions to the attitudes, the performances standards, and the sportsman-like conduct of the St. Mark’s Varsity Athletics.”
Duff McKay
