KDES Athletics celebrated an outstanding 2025-2026 school year during its annual Athletics Awards Ceremony, recognizing student-athletes, coaches, families, and supporters who helped make this year a success.

The event spotlighted the dedication, growth, sportsmanship, leadership, and competitive achievements by the Wildcats across Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, and Track & Field. 

Cross Country

The Cross Country program recognized athletes who exemplified perseverance, improvement, and leadership throughout the season.

• Coach's Award: Nemion Janifer
• Most Improved Athlete: Nicholas Payne-Tsoupros
• Most Outstanding Athlete: Keivonn Woodard

Volleyball

Following a competitive season that included multiple three-set matches and a playoff victory, the Wildcats honored several standout performers.

• Coach's Award: Bryleigh Evans
• Unsung Hero Award: Alyssa Chen
• Sportsmanship Award: Rebekah Hill
• Most Improved Player: Kaylee Pendleton
• Most Outstanding Player: Xylia Ellis

Boys Basketball

After another successful season highlighted by strong leadership and championship-level play, the Boys Basketball program recognized the following student-athletes:

• Legacy Leader Award: Nicholas Payne-Tsoupros
• Most Improved Player: Ramon Torres Moran
• Most Impactful Player: Mason Martin
• Defensive Player of the Year: Keivonn Woodard
• Most Outstanding Player: Thoreau Holcomb

Girls Basketball

The Girls Basketball program celebrated athletes who embodied teamwork, leadership, and commitment throughout the season.

• The Hive Award: Xylia Ellis
• Lionheart of the Pride Award: Clementine Holcomb
• Lead-by-Example Award: Sajani Ramroop
• Unsung Hero Award: Foka Singleton
• Golden Warrior Leader Award: Bryleigh Evans

Track & Field

Track & Field athletes delivered impressive performances at the meets and inviationals while setting personal bests throughout the season.

Award recipients included:

• Most Improved Athlete: Ali Ekinalan
• Coach's Award: Alyssa Chen
• Boys Track Athlete of the Year: DeMarcus Joyner
• Girls Track Athlete of the Year: Clementine Holcomb
• Field Event Athlete of the Year: Xylia Ellis
• Most Valuable Athlete: Keivonn Woodard

Athletics-Wide Awards

For the first time, KDES Athletics introduced department-wide awards designed to recognize excellence across all sports and further strengthen the culture of athletics at KDES.

The inaugural recipients included:

• Fan of the Year: Ekinalan Family
• Volunteer of the Year: Paulo Martell
• Rookie of the Year: Ali Ekinalan
• Rookie of the Year: Clementine Holcomb
• Best Wildcat – Strength & Conditioning: Keivonn Woodard
• Best Wildcat – Strength & Conditioning: Bryleigh Evans
• Unsung Hero Award: Ali Ekinalan
• Unsung Hero Award: Bryleigh Evans
• Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Nicholas Payne-Tsoupros
• Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Xylia Ellis

Looking Ahead

KDES Athletics also recognized the three graduating 8th graders from the Track and Field Program; Xylia Ellis, Ali Ekinalan, and DeMarcus Joyner. Club programs- elementary cheer, middle school pickleball and boys volleyball, Student-Athletes of the Month, and graduating eighth-grade student-athletes were recognized for their contributions. 

As the Wildcats look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, the department remains committed to providing meaningful opportunities for student-athletes to grow as competitors, leaders, and members of the KDES community. The Athletics Department extends its appreciation to coaches, families, staff, volunteers, and supporters whose dedication continues to make KDES Athletics a thriving and successful program.