2026 Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates Jessa Alderman (track and field) and Adrian Manchado (soccer) have been named Region VIII Student-Athletes of the Year by the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA).

The pair join former Aurora University baseball student-athlete Justin Sartori (2021-22) and former Dominican University soccer student-athlete Nick Kowalczyk (2022-23) as the only NACC athletes to receive regional student-athlete of the year honors from the DIIICA, and become the first Raiders to earn the distinction.

The Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) is proud to announce the 20 outstanding student-athletes selected as the 2025-26 Regional Student-Athlete of the Year winners. These prestigious awards, now in their fourth year, recognize graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and service throughout their collegiate careers.

Each regional winner now advances to the national ballot for the DIIICA Men's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year and D3CA Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year awards, which will be announced next month.

Graduating seniors were the only student-athletes eligible for nomination. Each conference was permitted to submit up to two nominees for each gendered award, provided at least one was an international student or from an ethnic minority background. Selection was based on four key areas:

• Academic Achievement
• Athletic Excellence
• Service and Leadership
• Personal Statement

Voting took place among commissioners within each of the 10 Division III regions. The top male and female honoree in each region will be considered for the two national awards.