Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (“ITA”) is pleased to announce the 2026 ITA Division II Men’s National Award recipients. Every year the ITA recognizes coaches and student-athletes for their excellence both on the court and in their communities throughout the season.
The Division II national awards include: ITA Dunlop/Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, and the ITA Player to Watch.
Continue reading below to find out more about each of the 2026 ITA National Award winners:
ITA/Dunlop Coach of the Year
Mark Bohren | Azusa Pacific University
Mark Bohren from Azusa Pacific University has been named the 2026 ITA Division II Men’s Coach of the Year. Going 23-6 on the year, the Cougars and Bohren have sustained success over the past few seasons, becoming one of the top programs in the West Region. This season, Azusa Pacific won the PacWest Conference Tournament, and Bohren was named the 2026 PacWest Conference Coach of the Year for his work. Making the NCAA Tournament, the Cougars advanced to the final site where they would reach the quarterfinals before losing to the top-seeded team in Barry. The Cougars went 14-1 at home this season and ranked No. 21 in the latest ITA Division II Rankings.
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year
Jeri Stewart | Columbus State University
Jeri Stewart from Columbus State University has been named the 2026 ITA Division II Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year. Behind a transformed Columbus State team this season, Stewart helped put together a detailed sports psychology as well as strength and conditioning programs that made huge impacts this season. Finishing No. 16 in the nation last season, the Cougars were crowned champions of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament and ranked No. 3 in the country heading into the NCAA Tournament. Behind her knowledge, Columbus State was back to being one of the top programs in the nation once again this season.
ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
Richard Stoiberer | Rollins College
Richard Stoiberer from Rollins College has been named the 2026 ITA Division II Men’s Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner. As a standout performer both on the court and off of it, Stoiberer has been a leader for the Rollins tennis program like no other who has come before. As a two-year captain, Stoiberer is a Top 15 ranked doubles player in the country and is a key player for a Rollins team who ranked in the Top Ten of the country for a large portion of the season. As a double major, Stoiberer holds a 3.98 G.P.A. while never sacrificing any attention to the team or his teammates. Stoiberer was selected by the Rollins athletics administration to represent the school at the National Student-Athlete Advisory Council Conference. Stoiberer is a three time ITA Scholar Athlete and has earned President’s List Honors four times at Rollins.
ITA Rookie of the Year
Lawson Prather | Rollins College
Lawson Prather from Rollins College has been named the 2026 ITA Division II Men’s Rookie of the Year. Currently ranked in the Top Ten in the nation in singles, Prather has shined as a freshman for the Tars. Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Prather has a season record of 19-8 against all competition, and has beaten Yan Kodjoed, Mario Garoz, and Dylan Andrianaly who each ranked in the Top 15 at the time of Prather beating them. As a strong doubles player as well, Prather had a 14-3 doubles record heading into NCAA Regional play and has help Rollins climb up the national rankings throughout the season.
ITA Most Improved Player
Jose Perez | Ferris State University
Jose Perez from Ferris State University has been named the 2026 ITA Division II Men’s Most Improved Player. After competing at the No. 5 singles position last season where he achieved a record just above .500, this season Perez has soared to new heights competing at the No. 2 singles position and earning win after win. Going 22-2 across all matches this season, Perez has risen into the Top 30 of the ITA Singles Rankings and holds wins over many notable opponents this season.
ITA Senior Player of the Year
Sebastian Rondon | University of West Florida
Sebastian Rondon from the University of West Florida has been named the 2026 ITA Division II Men’s Senior Player of the Year. Growing into his role on the West Florida team throughout his career, Rondon has grown into being one of the top singles and doubles players in all of Division II tennis over the past two seasons. In the Apr. 29th ITA Rankings, Rondon ranked as the No. 1 ranked singles and doubles player in the country, all the while playing for the top ranked team in the country. His success in both singles and doubles helped the Argos advance to the NCAA Semifinals after being crowned regional champions. In the fall, him and partner Diego Duran were crowned ITA Cup Doubles Champions, the highest individual honors a doubles team can achieve at the Division II level.
ITA Player to Watch
Samuel Antwi | University of Texas at Tyler
Samuel Antwi from the University of Texas at Tyler has been named the 2026 ITA Division II Men’s Player to Watch. Coming into UT Tyler this past summer as a transfer from the junior college level, Antwi has had no issues adjusting to the new scenery, flying up the rankings throughout the season. With a 29-4 overall singles record throughout the fall and spring, Antwi did not lose a match this spring until the final two matches of the season. Playing primarly from the No. 4 singles position in the lineup, Antwi has defeated players from many of the nation’s top teams and hold a career-high singles ranking of No. 8 which he achieved earlier this season.
