LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall athletic department celebrated its 2025-26 success and wished good luck to the spring season teams still competing in the postseason at the annual awards banquet. The "Eppspys" – named in honored of former coach and athletic director Patty Epps – recognize the crowning achievements of the tremendously talented student-athletes every season.
Major award winners saw James Conway (wrestling) and Lauren Pittman (women's lacrosse) presented with the Edward Garrigues '25 and Michael T.M. Karvasales '35 awards, given to the most outstanding male and female student-athletes for their athletic and academic achievements over a four-year period.
Conway joined Kate Boujoukos (women's soccer) as they were honored as the John A. Fry Delphic Student-Athlete Award winners for the male and female scholar-athlete in the senior class who has achieved the highest level of excellence in athletics, community service and academics. Gonzalo Gentou (men's tennis) was presented with the Athletic Director's Award for Leadership Distinction.
James Conway (Edward Garrigues '25 Award & John A. Fry Delphic Student-Athlete)
James Conway capped his outstanding wrestling career as the third Diplomat in program history to win at least 100 matches, finishing with a 108-42 record. A two-time national qualifier, Conway earned the No. 4 seed at the 2026 NCAA Division I National Championships and advanced all the way to the round of 12 at the national tournament where he was one way away from becoming the program's first All-American since the 2014 season. Conway graduates from F&M as the program's first-ever individual champion at the David H. Lehman '68 F&M Open, Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, and Keystone Classic (twice).
Conway's accomplishments off the mat were equally as impressive as he became the College's first-ever Elite 90 Award recipient during the 2024 NCAA Division I Championships. That award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at the final championship site. The three-time team captain was additionally named an NWCA Scholar All-American and recipient of the EIWA Academic Achievement Award during each of his four seasons. Conway is also a three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection who earned second-team Academic All-America honors during the 2024 season, while 2026 has not yet completed its award process.
Lauren Pittman (Michael T.M. Karvasales '35 Award)
With the upcoming postseason to still add to her career accomplishments, Lauren Pittman has already left her mark in the F&M record books, ranking second in school history in draw controls (286), second in game-winning goals (20), third in player advantage goals (20), fifth in goals (223), seventh in points (297), and 18th in assists (74). She is also approaching top 30 marks in school history for both ground balls and caused turnovers. Named the IWLCA National Preseason Player of the Year, Pittman is already a two-time first-team IWLCA All-American. She has led the Diplomats to three consecutive Centennial Conference Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the final four during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The 2026 postseason run begins this Friday, April 1 versus Gettysburg inside Shadek Stadium.
Kate Boujoukos (John A. Fry Delphic Scholar-Athlete)
Excelling on the pitch and in the classroom, Kate Boujoukos was a tremendous leader for the women's soccer team as a two-year team captain. Boujoukos had her best season as a senior when she earned all-region accolades and achieved recognition on the All-Centennial Conference team for the second consecutive season. Boujoukos appeared in 71 career games for the Diplomats and made 54 starts during her career. She scored 12 goals and assisted on 10 more out of the midfield. Boujoukos helped the Diplomats to four consecutive trips to the postseason, highlighted by two runs to the conference championship match and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023. In the classroom, Boujoukos is a double major in classic and government. She was named to the academic all-district team and the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll during each of the past three seasons.
Gonzalou Gentou (Athletic Director's Award for Leadership Distinction)
A tremendous player for the nationally-ranked men's tennis team, Gonzalo Gentou has made an impact on the team both with his play on the court and the impact he has made on his teammates. With conference awards still to be announced for this season, it is only fitting that Gentou has earned his All-Centennial Conference recognition in doubles where he earned second-team honors during the 2023 and 2025 seasons. Even greater than his impact in the lineup, Gentou has been a catalyst for the team behind the scenes as the Diplomats have become nationally-ranked for the first time in several seasons. Gentou also leads by example in the classroom as a four-time ITA Scholar-Athlete and three-time Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll selection. He has additionally been named to the Centennial Conference All-Sportsmanship team twice throughout his career.
