The Times News Sports Department recently honored its 2025-26 Athletes of the Year at a ceremony at the Orioles Community Center in Lehighton.

After enjoying a meal, the 20 award winners were announced and those in attendance received plaques — produced by Delrose Awards in Lansford — that displayed the article that appeared in the Times News the day they were named at their respective sport.

This marked the 22nd consecutive year that the sports department held a ceremony to honor the top athletes from the area.

Times News editor Marta Gouger welcomed the athletes, their parents and other guests, as well as the sports writers and photographers that were present.

Patrick Matsinko, the sports editor, then read the list of winners as they received their plaques.

The fall sports Athletes of the Year included Northwestern’s Shane Leh (football), Logan Mesics (boys soccer), Sophia Schaffer (girls soccer), Hannah Gober (field hockey) and Mallory Conner (girls tennis); Palmerton’s Jared Grammes (golf) and Connor Hibell (boys cross country); Jim Thorpe’s Logan Gillespie (girls cross country); and Panther Valley’s Morgan Orsulak (volleyball).

The winter sports Athletes of the Year were Northwestern’s Luke Fugazzotto (boys wrestling) and Natalie Conner (girls basketball); Lehighton’s Cole Dietz (boys basketball); Panther Valley’s Brenda Banks (girls wrestling); and Marian’s Michael and Lydia Strucko (swimming).

Receiving the spring sports honors were Northwestern’s Abby Dunstan (softball) and Sophia Schaffer (girls track); Palmerton’s Cameron Pengelly (baseball); Jim Thorpe Kayden Spence (boys track); Lehighton’s Bekim Cokrilja (boys tennis) and Pleasant Valley’s Rylee Rath (lacrosse).

Michael Strucko and Fugazzotto were both four-time winners, while Mallory Conner, Banks and Hibell have won their respective awards three times. Those earning a second award included Dunstan, Lydia Strucko, Rath and Orsulak.