BOSTON, Mass. (May 20, 2026) – Emerson College has had six student-athletes from their respective sports named to the 2026 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Spring Sportsmanship Team the Conference announced.

Fields	Cunningham
Rutter	Nuehlen
Leeves-Coben	Di-Reumante

The NEWMAC Sportsmanship Team is intended to recognize one student-athlete from each team, in every sport, who best demonstrates the ideals of the NEWMAC and its Code of Conduct, regardless of their overall performance or statistics for the season. The honorees, selected by their respective coaching staffs, have distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior that go above and beyond the sport's playing rules and etiquette.

Emerson's six Sportsmanship Team selections for the 2026 spring season, listed with a quote from their head coach:

Baseball: Junior Justin Fields started all 31 games for Emerson this spring and finished third on the team with a .284 batting average (31-for-109), sharing the team lead with 23 runs scored, while ranking second with ten doubles to go with a home run and 15 RBI. He finished the season with a five-game hitting streak, recording a hit in 15 of the Lions final 16 games, including three multiple hit games during that stretch.

Head Coach Billy Uberti says: "Justin had a positive attitude day in and day out no matter the circumstances. Justin was extremely respectful to his teammates, coaches, opponents, and officials. He embodies the sportsmanship all athletes should strive to have and was a pleasure to be around." 

Men's Lacrosse: Senior Toby Cunningham appeared in all 15 games during his final collegiate season, with three starts, and contributed seven goals and four assists for 11 points in attack, while adding eight ground balls and two caused turnovers without committing a penalty all season. He scored a pair of man-up goals, netting a season-high two goals in the Lions win over Lasell University after posting a season-best three points with a goal and two assists in the season-opener at Wentworth.

Head Coach Daniel Thomas says: "Toby has led by example throughout his four years at Emerson. Whether arriving early for extra reps or helping set up the field, he consistently demonstrated dedication and commitment to the team. His greatest strength, however, was the respect and support he showed his teammates through both the highs and lows of the season. Toby's presence will be greatly missed, but the impact he made on this program will be felt for years to come."

Women's Lacrosse: Senior Holland Rutter started all 17 games in her final collegiate season and ranked fourth on the team with 35 points, netting seven goals and dishing out 20 assists to go with 30 ground balls, 14 caused turnovers and 33 draw controls. She notched a season-best three points with two goals and an assist in back-to-back wins over UMass Boston and Gordon College as the Lions opened the season with four straight wins for the first time in program history.

Head Coach Jessie Koffman says: "Holland was a remarkable leader who embodied what sportsmanship is all about. No matter the outcome, she led by example with grace, dignity, and a smile."

Softball: Senior Kayla Nuehlen started all 24 games played for Emerson in her final collegiate season, contributing four RBI and four runs scored as the team's primary catcher. She capped her collegiate career with a three-game hit streak, including a pair of hits at Wheaton College in game one of the season finale doubleheader, adding an RBI in the nightcap.

Head Coach Phil McElroy says: "Kayla's commitment and love for the game is everything we could hope for. Her leadership from behind the plate and in the dugout was always consistent. Her unselfish approach will be missed in years to follow."

Men's Tennis: Junior captain Finn Leeves-Coben competed in ten matches as Emerson clinched a spot in the NEWMAC Tournament for the first time in program history. He recorded three singles wins, splitting his two matches in NEWMAC play, to go with a 4-2 mark in doubles play with three different playing partners. He and first year Adam Alireza combined for a 3-1 mark this season. 

Head Coach Burke Paxton says: "Finn is the definition of a class act. As a leader of the team, he makes sure every member of the team acts in a respectful, kind, and sportsmanlike manner whether the team is celebrating a point, a victory, or even a loss. On the court he is respectful while still performing as a competitor. He is a big believer in winning the right way and is overall a model for what sportsmanship stands for, and very deserving of this recognition."

Women's Tennis: Junior Gianna Di-Reumante appeared in eight matches during the 2025-26 season and posted a combined three wins in singles and doubles play with two different playing partners. She and fellow junior Amaya Briones teamed up for a 6-3 win at No. 3 doubles at nationally ranked Smith College to close out the season. 

Head Coach Burke Paxton says: "Gianna is one of the kindest players I have had the pleasure of coaching. She manages to keep her intensity as a player, teammate, and competitor, while always being incredibly kind, complimentary, and sportsmanlike towards her opponents. She manages to perfectly toe the line between intensity and demonstrating good sportsmanship, serving as an excellent role model of how to behave towards your opponents."

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