BUENA VISTA, Va. - The Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) released its annual post-academic year awards for 2025-2026. Twenty-two sports across the state of Virginia are represented in the release for the college division.

Three Knights earned major awards after their respective seasons. Bayleigh Redd-Armstrong was named Track Athlete of the Year for the indoor and outdoor seasons, while Sydney Richards was named Player of the Year for women's golf. Delin Peterson, reigning Rookie of the Year in the USA South, was again named Rookie of the Year for women's soccer.

In all, twenty-two athletes from 15 different sports were recognized from Southern Virginia University.

Redd-Armstrong's recognition seemed inevitable after a standout year at the national level during indoor and outdoor track. She broke multiple program records, multiple conference records, was a 5x USA South champion, and a 2x national qualifier in three events within four months.

Sydney Richards' magical season ended in the final round of the NCAA Division lll women's golf championship where she finished tied for 27th. She accomplished several program firsts this season, including USA South Player of the Year and a qualifier for the National Tournament. Individually, she was ranked as high as No. 19 in the NCAA Division lll rankings during the year.

Delin Peterson was the most potent scorer on one of the best women's soccer teams in the region. She totaled 17 goals during the season, including two hat tricks during league play. Peterson was named USA South Rookie of the Year after one of the most productive seasons in program history.

VaSID All-State Selections

Baseball
Zack Geertsen - 2nd Team, Utility

Football
Ty Smith - 1st Team, Defensive Back

Men's Golf
Nikko Taggart - 1st Team

Men's Lacrosse
Clay Haacke - 2nd Team, Midfield

Men's Outdoor T&F
McCormick Johnson - 2nd Team, Jumps

Men's Swim
Holton Bundy - 2nd Team, Breast
Caleb Dixon - 2nd Team, Back

Softball
Sophia Badell - 2nd Team, Utility 
Berkeley Whitten - 2nd Team, DP

Women's Volleyball
Aubrey Packer - 2nd Team

Women's Basketball
Abigail Snyder - 1st Team

Women's Golf
Sydney Richards - Player of the Year, 1st Team

Women's Indoor T&F
Bayleigh Redd-Armstrong - Track Athlete of the Year, 1st Team
Emma Hillam - 1st Team, DMR
Tessa Miller - 1st Team, DMR
Amee Newman - 1st Team, DMR
Marin Simons - 1st Team, Jumps

Women's Lacrosse
Ellie Patterson - 2nd Team, Midfield

Women's Outdoor T&F
Bayleigh Redd-Armstrong - Track Athlete of the Year, 1st Team
Marin Simons - 1st Team, Jumps
Emma Hillam - 2nd Team, Distance
Surraiya Mahmud-Newman - 2nd Team, Jumps

Women's Soccer
Delin Peterson - Rookie of the Year, 2nd Team, Forward
Hailey Gadd - 2nd Team, Defense

Women's Swim
Emma Chamberlain - 2nd Team, IM


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