The Head Coaches of Section V considered players who had been nominated for All-American and All-Academic awards. The awards identify some of the best players from each area around the country. Each of the head coaches in the Section is allowed to vote on each of the awards. The selections from our area were then submitted to the USA Lacrosse for final approval.
The All-American awards are given to excellent lacrosse players from the area. The national program allows one award for each six teams in the area but this year there were six awards available. Fifteen players were nominated. Section V coaches require that players who are in leagues must make first team league honors in order to be considered.
For the All-Academic award, emphasis has been placed on the academic qualification of the nominees, but players were required to be assets for their teams. Where, in the past, nominees for this award were first considered for their skill on this field, again this year, although skill was considered important, nominees did not need to be "All-American" quality players. 
Academically, nominees needed to have an average GPA of 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale). There were also six awards available in Section V and some players were nominated for both awards.
The Head Coaches also selected a USA Lacrosse Coach of the Year for NYS Section V. This year the coaches selected Pittsford Head Coach Andrew Whipple who led the Panthers to an undefeated regular season with a highly competitive Class B and Monroe County D-2 schedule.
In 2012, USA Lacrosse added an award named for the long-time Johns Hopkins lacrosse coach and Athletic Director, Bob Scott. The annual award is given to a senior of outstanding character, good academic standing and one who demonstrates good sportsmanship and safe play. The winner from Section V, this year, is Isaac Bailey, from Churchville-Chili High School.
Head Coach, Ryan Yunker says, "Isaac is the epitome of leading by example, always does the right thing, says the right thing, and is striving for excellence in every area of his life. He was voted team captain twice by his teammates, clearly demonstrating that he has his peers respect."
"Just as Isaac sets an example for our team with his never ending work ethic and motor, he has also been a phenomenal vocal motivator for our players. In a particularly hard practice this year Isaac took charge and made sure to push EVERYONE on the team to give their all and push through the pain to get better. It didn't matter if it was a freshman first year, or a fellow senior captain, Isaac was right behind them making sure they were running all out through the line and finishing every rep to the max. Isaac Bailey is truly one-of-one and I can't think of another kid more deserving of this award. "
Braden Finger- Penn Yan senior Midfielder - Towson
Head Coach Brian Hobart says: "Braden has been the rock of my program for five years. He does all that is ever asked of him and looks to do more. He excels in all areas of the game - offense, defense, wing play and special teams. He is one of the finest young men I have had the pleasure to be involved with in my 25 years in education. What stands out most to me is his character and his ability to do the right thing in situations even if it is the more difficult choice. He expects high character choices from himself but also encourages and demands it from his teammates. It has been my true pleasure to watch him grow as a young man and a leader since he first began playing for me in 8th grade."
Grady Goodberlet - Honeoye Falls-Lima junior attackman - Maryland
Head Coach Eric Goodberlet says: "Grady genuinely cares about his teammates and the success of our team. He consistently demonstrates fairness and compassion, treating everyone with respect regardless of their skill level. Grady understands that every player in our program brings value, has a role, and is a vital part of our overall program success. He is willing to play any position on the field and is extremely versatile. He brings and demands a high level of focus and intensity at practice and on game day which has proven to be contagious. Our overall team success in the recent years has been a result of this level of work ethic in which Grady's leadership has been the foundation."
Brodie Joyce - Penfield senior Attackman - Providence
Head Coach John Schembri says: "A two-time lacrosse captain Brodie's work ethic and ability to foster younger offensive players is remarkable. He has been a leader of our offense for the last two seasons and excels in all aspects of the game. Shooting, feeding, and riding. His motor does not quit. He is a difference maker for our team. His quiet confidence in the face of adversity is a calming factor for fellow teammates when tensions rise and he brings a level head and valuable feedback to game time adjustments. Brodie has rewritten many of Penfield's offensive records. Points in a career, Career Goals, Career Assists, and Most points in a single season. All this while excelling in the classroom carrying a 4.0 GPA while taking six AP courses and multiple SUPA/SUPA/Dual enrollment classes. He is also a member of the national honor society."
Eli Ricci - Victor sophomore faceoff midfielder - Undecided
Head Coach Dan Stone says: "Eli is a student-athlete who represents Victor High School with discipline, humility, and competitive integrity. He is a fierce competitor who continually pushes himself and his teammates to grow and become the best version of themselves. He has established himself as one of the most reliable and impactful face-off specialists in the area, and his influence on games continues to grow. Eli's progression from winning possession to consistently turning those wins into offensive opportunities makes him a multifaceted threat for opponents to plan for. His continued development as a two-way threat has made him a more complete midfielder whose impact is felt not only at the draw, but throughout the flow of the game."
AJ Theodorakakos - Penfield senior defenseman - US Military Academy at West Point
Head Coach John Schembri says: "Despite the title of being a two-time captain he leads through example. A.J. epitomizes everything we ask of a Penfield Lacrosse Player. More than his unique skill set, his effort, physicality, work ethic, character and leadership are second to none. That is why it should be no surprise that he was selected to serve our country at the USMA at West Point after he graduates. We are blessed to have someone like A.J. as a leader in our program. A.J. is the #1 ranked defensemen in the Country for the 2026 class by Inside Lacrosse and the #4 overall recruit for the 2026 class. He was selected to the coveted New Balance Senior All-Star game the summer of 2026, an honor only given to the nation's best players and he is a two-time US All-American."
Avery Valenti - Pittsford senior midfielder - Colgate
Head Coach Andrew Whipple says: "Avery has been on Varsity since 7th grade. A true two way midfielder and has had an amazing senior year on a strong team. Avery is an amazing teammate and young man. I am sure other school's players would say the same. Avery is my best midfielder on both ends of the field. He had six goals vs Thomas, two goals and an assist vs Hilton, six goals and two assists vs Irondequoit, five goals vs West Genesee, three goals and 2 assists vs Canandaigua, four goals vs Marcellus, three goals and 2 assists vs Brighton and three goals vs Fayetteville, Manlius."
- Issac Bailey - Churchville-Chili senior faceoff midfielder - Uncommitted
Head Coach Ryan Yunker says: "On the field He is a true throwback two-way midfielder that does literally everything for us, face offs, man up, man down, offense, defense, and everything in between. He even convinced us to let him use a pole for a few man downs this year. In the age of position specialization this kid does not come off the field. A game early in the season he took his first sub of the game with 5 minutes left in the third quarter. He attacks every play and every groundball with a tenacity that just cannot be taught. Our players think we have been joking but our team motto next year is BE LIKE ISAAC. He always does the right thing, always says the right thing, and is always striving for excellence." 
Ryland Dunham - Geneva senior midfielder - Roberts Wesleyan
Head Coach Jeff Dunham says: "As a four-year starter on varsity, Ryland has grown tremendously as a leader amongst the team. Not only does his play and work ethic on the field serve as an example to his teammates, but he is consistently coaching up the younger players on the team. He is a great young man. He is well-respected by his peers, faculty, and staff at Geneva High School. His stats rank him fourth all-time is our school history and he will finish second in career goals. He will finish as four-year All-League player. In the classroom he is a member of National Honor Society."
Carson Lich - Palmyra-Macedon senior midfielder - Ohio Northern
Head Coach Joe Hill says, "Carson boasts an extraordinary resume of athletic and academic excellence that makes him a standout candidate. On the lacrosse field, he was named All-State 1st Team and Finger Lakes Co-Player of the Year in 2025, following it up this season with another dominant performance as the league's Defensive Player of the Year. A phenomenally versatile three-sport athlete, In the classroom, he matches that elite drive by ranking #7 in his class while pursuing an Advanced Regents Diploma alongside numerous rigorous IB courses. Furthermore, Carson completed the demanding Project Lead the Way (PLTW) STEM sequence, developing the critical thinking and hands-on engineering skills necessary to qualify for the renowned engineering program at Ohio Northern University, where he will proudly continue his academic journey and play collegiate lacrosse. "
Eric Odell - Greece Storm senior faceoff midfielder - Clarkson
Head Coach Shane Cole says, "Eric demonstrates strong leadership qualities through his role as a captain of our team. As a captain, he is trusted to hold his teammates accountable in a respectful and constructive manner, ensuring that team standards are maintained in both effort and attitude. He consistently leads by example, showing up prepared, focused, and willing to put in the work required for success, which naturally elevates the behavior and performance of those around him. He is currently a top leader in Section V for career faceoff wins and is a big reason for getting us offensive possessions. He is a role model for our team and always does the right thing and is willing to put in the hard work to get positive results.
Mason Schembri - Penfield senior goalie - Uncommitted
Head Coach John Schembri says, "Mason is a young man that is defined by his character. He loves life and his friends. He is always looking to do what is right and fair. He is always leading through example, that is why it should be no surprise he was selected as a captain in both his junior and senior seasons by his peers. A 4.0 student, the National Honor Society member has taken eleven AP/Dual credit course and will arrive at college with over 30 college credits, essentially making him a college sophomore academically. He broke the all-time saves record for Penfield as a junior making 700 career saves at 60%. Mason is someone that represents our program with character and integrity. Mason is someone that represents our program with character and integrity."
Zack Tortora - Spencerport senior midfielder - Canisius
Head Coach Bill Buttaro says, "Zach is the epitome of a what a winning person looks like. He works hard, and plays even harder. He does things that very few people in our league are asked to do. For three seasons he has played every game from beginning to end at midfield, taking only one break per game. He is a three-time captain, works with the kids coming up in our youth lacrosse program, and plays three Varsity Sports. He is a pillar of the Spencerport Community. When he plays defense, coaches isolate him to tire him out. He doesn't get tired. He just continues to work harder. There have been very few players that I have watched that can take over a game like he can. Defensively he is one of the best players on the field. He is strong, fast and nobody wants it more than him. He is the epitome of a Lacrosse Player and Leader. I am lucky to have coached him. "
