ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict athletic department celebrated the accomplishments of the 2025-26 athletic year in May with its annual student-athlete celebration. Twelve Bennies were announced as finalists for the annual CSB Rookie of the Year award, presented to the top newcomer of the season in each sport.
The finalists nominated (listed alphabetically by sport) include: basketball center
Emma Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.); cross country runner
Daphne Grobstein (Golden Valley, Minn./Hopkins); flag football wide receiver/safety
Avary White (Stillwater, Minn./St. Croix Prep); hockey goalie
Lexi Badali (St. John, Ind./Lake Central); lacrosse goalie
Ashley Fischer (Madison Lake, Minn./Mankato East); soccer midfielder
Veronica Warren (North Oaks, Minn./Mounds View); softball pitcher
Kaitlyn Pink (Delano, Minn.); swimmer
Anna Schottler (Chanhassen, Minn.); tennis player
Ellie Huber (Sioux Falls, S.D./O'Gorman); indoor track & field hurdler/jumper
Juslene Chea (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville); outdoor track sprinter
Bella Lund (Mound, Minn./Mound Westonka); and volleyball right side
Keira McManus (Sioux Falls, S.D./O'Gorman).
Here's a look at each of the finalists:
Emma Theisen, Basketball (
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- Led CSB in rebounding (5.9 rpg) and ranked 11th in the league in total rebounds (147)
- Averaged 6.3 points per game on 36.5 percent shooting from the floor
- Second on the team with 12 blocks
- Started in all 25 games
Daphne Grobstein, Cross Country (
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- All-MIAC honorable mention (23rd)
- CSB's highest finisher at the 2025 MIAC Championships
- One of eight MIAC first-years to finish in the top 25 at the MIAC meet
- Earned a top five finish with a personal-best 5k time of 19:22.1 at the Toni St. Pierre Invitational
- Boasted the 23rd fastest 6k time in the MIAC (23:04.1)
Avary White, Flag Football (
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- All-MWCFL conference honors
- Caught five touchdown passes (2nd/team)
- Led CSB to a MWCFL Championship in its inaugural season
Lexi Badali, Hockey (
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- DIIIHockeyNews.com All-America first team
- DIIIHockeyNews.com All-Rookie team
- All-MIAC honorable mention
- MIAC All-Playoff team
- 1.76 GAA in 22 games played (12-7-3 record)
- Two shutouts and a .942 save percentage (631 saves)
- 2x MIAC Athlete of the Week (Dec. 8, Feb. 9)
- 3x CSB Athlete of the Week (Feb. 9, March 9, March 16)
- First All-American in CSB hockey program history
Ashley Fischer, Lacrosse (
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- All-WIAC first team
- Led WIAC in save percentage (.489)
- 2x WIAC Player of the Week (March 17, April 28)
- One of four first-years honored by the WIAC in postseason awards, one of two on the first team
Veronica Warren, Soccer (
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- Played in all 18 games and started in 13
- Led all CSB first-years in minutes played (1,004)
- One of six Bennies to eclipse 1,000+ minutes played
- Finished fifth on the roster with 15 shots and nine shots on goal
Kaitlyn Pink, Softball (
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- Appeared in 37.0 innings across 15 games
- Managed a 3.41 ERA and a 5-2 record with one save
- Struck out 23 batters
Anna Schottler, Swim & Dive (
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- 3x MIAC Champion (200-yard medley relay, 400-yard medley relay, 200-yard freestyle relay)
- 5x All-MIAC (200-yard medley relay, 400-yard medley relay, 200-yard freestyle relay, 400-yard freestyle relay, 50-yard freestyle)
- All-MIAC honorable mention (100-yard freestyle)
- 14 event wins across eight meets
Ellie Huber, Tennis (
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- Played at No. 1 singles all season with a victory over Hamline
- Won five matches with doubles partner
Marie Labenski at No. 1
Juslene Chea, Indoor Track & Field (
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- USTFCCCA All-Region in the 60-meter hurdles
- 55-meter hurdles MIAC runner up (8.45)
- All-MIAC honorable mention in the triple jump (sixth, 10.75 meters)
- Nine event wins across six indoor meets
- 1x CSB Athlete of the Week (Jan. 30)
- School-record breaker in the 60-meter hurdles (9.11) and 55-meter hurdles (8.34)
Bella Lund, Outdoor Track & Field (
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- All-MIAC honorable mention in 100-meters (12.17)
- School-record breaker in the 100-meter dash (12.17)
- CSC Academic All-District
- Academic All-MIAC
Keira McManus, Volleyball (
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- Nov. 4 MIAC Athlete of the Week
- Played in 103 sets across 28 matches
- Totaled 216 kills on 614 attempts (.212)
- Added 42 digs, 52 blocks (50 block assists) and five assists
CSB All-Time Rookies of the Year
2024-25:
Lily Treml (softball) &
Ava Mosley (lacrosse)
2023-24:
Lizzie Schrubbe (lacrosse) &
Sabriya Farquharson (track & field)
2022-23:
Ellie Peterson (softball)
2021-22:
Justus Floren (track & field)
2020-21: Fiona Smith (track & field)
2019-20: Emily Quill (swim & dive)
2018-19: Abby Goff (cross country/track & field)
2017-18: Ally Hjort (softball) & Megan Thompson (soccer/basketball)
2016-17: Taylor Loth (cross country/track & field)
2015-16: Natalie Amundson (golf)
2014-15: Megan Sundstrom (track & field)
2013-14: Alli Kosobud (cross country/track & field)
2012-13: Kim Lidstone (softball)
2011-12: Megan Favorite (soccer)
2010-11: Ellen Dean (swim & dive)
2009-10: Megan Smith (cross country/track & field)
2008-09: Julia Renner (track & field)
2007-08: Danielle Frank (basketball) & Ashley Irons (cross country/track & field)
2006-07: Allyson Draxler (soccer)
2005-06: Maggie Donahue (cross country)
2004-05: Teri Knapper (volleyball)
2003-04: Christina Gardner (softball)
2002-03: Jenna Wendorff (track & field) & Leah Wurm (cross country/track & field)
2001-02: Kim Johnson (basketball)
2000-01: Libby Homan (volleyball)
1999-00: Michelle Barlau (basketball)
1998-99: Gretchen Webber (swim & dive)
1997-98: Noelle Peterson (swim & dive)
1996-97: Lisa Grefe (soccer) & Courtney Remes (swim & dive)
1995-96: Robyn Ruschmeier (volleyball/basketball)
1994-95: Missy Petersen (cross country/track & field)
1993-94: Heather Raser (swim & dive) & Kelly Sauer (basketball)
1992-93: Alexis Brunner (track & field)
1991-92: Stacie Klaviter (softball)
1990-91: Colleen Carey (soccer)
1989-90: Katy Deignan (cross country/track & field)
1988-89: Christi Dold (softball)
1987-88: Tina Och (tennis) & Amy Tri (swim & dive)
*first recipients
