Men’s teams
Football- Justin Payoute
Senior Justin Payoute was the standout defensive back on a Bulldogs defense that ranked first in the league in interceptions with 3o. Payoute had a team-leading nine of those 30 interceptions, while having 72 total tackles, which was second on the team. Payoute also had four tackles for loss, one forced fumble, a fumble-return touchdown and an interception-return touchdown. While also securing the 2025 Cliff Harris Award as Division II top defensive player, GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year and earning First-Team All-GLIAC.
Basketball- Mykel Bingham
In what was a transitional down season for Bulldogs basketball, senior forward Mykel Bingham was a bright spot on a 10-18 Ferris squad. This past season saw him averaging 13 points a game on 52.4%, while shooting 35% from beyond the arc. Bingham averaged a team-leading 8.7 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists and one steal per game. Bingham also secured First-Team All-GLIAC and a spot on the All-GLIAC Defensive Team.
Hockey- Gavin Best
Senior forward Gavin Best was the standout player for a Ferris hockey team that was in its first year under new head coach Brett Riley. Best was second on the team in goals with 12, while being first in assists with 14 and being the leader in points with 26. Best also scored a goal that won the game for the Bulldogs in a 3-2 upset victory over reigning national champion Western Michigan.
Tennis- Kevin Kovacs
In what was a big season for Ferris tennis, junior Kevin Kovacs was the standout player for the Bulldogs team that won the GLIAC Tournament. Kovacs had a 16-5 singles record this season, which included a 4-1 record in GLIAC play, while posting a 14-4 doubles record on the season. Kovacs also won the 2026 GLIAC Athlete of the Year, which goes to the best individual player on the season in the GLIAC.
Golf- Ben Miller
The sophomore from Paw Paw, Michigan, was a bright spot on the Ferris men’s golf squad that made a run to the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament and placed fifth. Miller had three top 20 finishes on the season, including placing eighth during the Midwest Regional.
Track and Field- Lucas Seifferlein
Siefferlein was the top man for the Bulldogs this season, a season where the Bulldogs placed sixth in the GLIAC championships. Seifferlein made a school record-setting run which was the 400 meter which he ran a 49.01. While also being a part of the 4×400 meter relay, which was run at 3:15.18, which comes in at second in Ferris history.
Women’s Teams
Basketball- Kadyn Blanchard
In what was her sixth and final season with the Bulldogs, due to many injuries across her time here, senior guard Kadyn Blanchard’s final season was one of her strongest. She helped her squad to a 26-7 record and a bid to the Midwest Region Quarterfinals. Blanchard averaged 16.9 points per game on 45.1% shooting, while shooting 33% from beyond three-point range. Blanchard also set the program record for most points in a career with 1,978, while also being named GLIAC Player of the Year, the first Bulldog to do so in 25 years.
Volleyball- Gabby Piazza
In just her sophomore year, outside hitter Gabby Piazza had a strong season that saw her team go 27-8, win the GLIAC regular season championship and earn another bid in the NCAA Midwest Regionals and making a run to the national championships. Piazza had a team leading 466 kills on 1,236 attempts, which was good for a .218 kill percentage. Piazza also led the team in points with 518.5 and secured a spot on the First-Team All-GLIAC.
Softball- Emma Gillard
Junior outfielder Emma Gillard had her breakout season in what was the Bulldogs’ strongest season in years, finishing with a record of 37-20, which was the most wins in a season since 1999. Gillard had a .327 batting average, 11 extra base hits, nine home runs, while leading the team in RBIs with 54 and stolen bases with 19, while only being caught stealing twice.
Soccer- Katherine Welch
Another strong season is in the books for the junior forward from Ada, forward Katherine Welch was a big part of her team that had another eight-win season. Welch led her team in goals with six and points with 15, while being second on the squad in assists with three. Welch also earned a spot on the First-Team All-GLIAC for the second season in a row.
Tennis- Madeline Peisley
Freshman Madeline Peisley had a big first season for the Bulldogs, who finished second in the GLIAC and earned a mid in the NCAA Midwest Regional. Peisley went 20-5 in singles play on the season, while going 6-1 in GLIAC play. In doubles play, Peisley went 13-11 and 5-2 in the GLIAC. Peisley’s strong debut season helped her earn the 2026 GLIAC Freshman of the Year award, along with being named First-Team All-GLIAC
Golf- Kamryn Shannon
In her final season as a Bulldog, senior Kamryn Shannon put up another strong season in the crimson and gold. Shannon helped her squad place first in the GLIAC Championships for the second time in four years, also winning it in 2023. While also making a run to the NCAA East Regionals, hoping to make a bid for the NCAA National Championships. Shannon had six top 15 finishes on the season, including a second-place finish in the UMSL Spring Invitational and a third-place finish in the ODU NC4K Classic.
Track and Field- Whitney Farrell
Senior Whitney Farrell was arguably the top runner for the Bulldogs this season. Farrell had many strong runs on the season, including an all-time fourth-place run on the 3k with a 9:56.70 and 5K with a 17:16.73, 10th all-time in the 1500 running a 4:47.42 and setting the program record on the 3000 meter steeplechase with a 10:33.43.