STANFORD, Calif. – Cardinal men’s gymnast Mark Berlaga has been named one of 42 recipients of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, as announced by the NCAA on Friday afternoon. 

“It’s an honor to receive the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, and it would not have been possible without my teammates, coaches, and professors pushing me to work my hardest in and out of the gym,” Berlaga said “It’s a pleasure to represent Stanford Men’s Gymnastics after graduation, where I will use the scholarship to fund my medical school education after a year of working as an Emergency Medical Technician in New York City.”

Given to 21 male and 21 female student-athletes, the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winners receive a one-time grant of $10,000. In addition to maintaining at least a 3.2 grade-point average, they must perform with distinction in their sport and be nominated by their institution’s faculty athletics representative.

Berlaga ended his career as a three-time NCAA All-American as a still rings specialist, finishing as the national runner-up in the event in both 2022 and 2024. He is also an MPSF Champion in the event, scoring a 14.600 to win the conference title in 2023. Berlaga contributed to one of the sports’ most impressive dynasties during his time on The Farm, helping guide Stanford to three national championships and three MPSF team titles. 

“Gymnastics sparked my early interest in the human body’s capabilities which quickly led to a fascination of medicine as I began to research antibodies for an HIV vaccine and volunteering at the VA Hospital,” Berlaga added. “My academic and athletic experiences have thouroughly prepared me for my future medical career and I look forward to using everything Stanford has taught me while working to improve patient health:.

Academically, Berlaga finishes his academic career as one of the most decorated student-athletes in collegiate gymnastics, boasting a 4.04 GPA in pursuit of his degree in Biology. The Palo Alto, Calif. native was named the CSC Men’s Division I At-Large Team Member of the Year in 2024, given to the student-athlete with the best combined athletic and academic performance in the At-Large category. Additionally, Berlaga is a CSC First Team Academic All-American, a two-time Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll selection, and a three-time MPSF All-Academic Team honoree.

“I am grateful to my family, friends, and teammates for inspiring and motivating me in my athletic and academic endeavors. I will never forget the experiences I had and the people I met here at Stanford, it was truly a life-changing four years here as a student-athlete. Stanford’s unmatched commitment to excellence has made me a better athlete, student, and person ready to take on the next phase of my career.”

The Colorado College hockey team gathered at Carter Payne Center on Friday to celebrate the 2024-25 season and senior class, and hand out individual awards at the annual team banquet.

The event celebrated the fourth campaign under head coach Kris Mayotte and served as the official sendoff for the team’s three graduate students and three seniors.  

 

Grad students Tyler Coffey, Ty Gallagher and Chase McLane, along with seniors Stanley Cooley, Tommy Middleton and Henry Wilder were honored after the team awards were announced.

 

Junior Noah Laba earned the team’s top honor, the Thayer Tutt Most Valuable Player Award. Laba, who signed with the New York Rangers following the season, finished the ’24-25 campaign tied for second in scoring with 26 points and tied for the team lead with 10 goals.

 

Junior goaltender Kaidan Mbereko won the Steve Ebert Award for the second straight year. The award is given for the combination of dedication, desire, ability and sportsmanship that Ebert exemplified during his time as a Tiger. Ebert, a member of the Class of 1966, was killed in an Army air training plane crash in 1970.

 

Wilder won the prestigious Scott Winkler Award, which honors the player that earns the respect of his teammates by showing humility, optimism and support through his love and appreciation for the game as well as his teammates. Winkler passed away unexpectedly in June of 2013 after completing his senior season at Colorado College. Wilder, who transferred to CC from Boston College, appeared in four games in the net in his two seasons at CC.

 

Freshman Owen Beckner earned the M.B. Hopper Award as the team’s top scorer. He notched 27 points with seven goals and tied for the team lead with 20 assists. His 27 points were the most by a CC freshman since Scott Swanson had 48 in 1995-96.

 

Beckner also won the Bob Johnson Award as the team’s top freshman. He is the first freshman to lead CC in scoring since current Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin had 25 points in 2013-14.

 

Gallagher, a transfer from Boston University, won the Tony Frasca Award, given to the player that had the best postseason. Gallagher, who tied for second on the team with 26 points, notched three goals in CC’s best-of-three playoff series at Denver. He signed with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League following the season.

 

Sophomore defenseman Brady Cleveland won the Dave Peterson Award as the most improved player after playing in all 37 games in ’24-25. He posted career highs of one goal, two assists and three points this season. He scored his only goal in a 3-1 victory over Denver in game one of the NCHC playoffs.

 

Sophomore forward Zaccharya Wisdom was named the winner of the Rodman Award, given each year to the player demonstrating the highest degree of sportsmanship. The award was founded in 1980 by Dr. Hugh Rodman and his wife, Crete. Wisdom finished fifth on the team in scoring with 21 points (8g,13a) and third with 81 shots.

 

Middleton earned the Paul Markovich award as the program’s top student-athlete. Middleton has a 3.90 cumulative GPA majoring in molecular biology and was named an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete each of his four years at Colorado College.

 

Honeygrow, a fast-casual restaurant founded by Penn State alum Justin Rosenberg, is set to open later this year in the Pugh Centre.

The new restaurant will serve a variety of foods such as stir-fries, salads, and honey bar — a dish with fresh fruit, toppings, and drizzled in the customers choice of honey.

Honeygrow has nearly 60 locations across the Northeast and Midwest and has established itself as a nutritious option for people looking for healthy meals.

According to a release, the State College location will feature “its signature open-kitchen experience.”

“Opening in State College is a full-circle moment for me,” said Justin Rosenberg, founder and CEO of honeygrow. “My time at Penn State was a major and influential part of my life, and I’m incredibly excited to bring our brand back to a place that means so much to me.”

MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE

ORONO, Maine – University of Maine soccer head coach Scott Atherley has announced the addition of Alexis Smith as associate head coach ahead of the 2025 season.

Smith comes to Orono after spending the last seven seasons at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, including the last two seasons as associate head coach. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Alexis to our team and family,” said Atherley. “From the beginning of the search process it was apparent that her personal values were in complete alignment with ours. Alexis brings a wealth of collegiate experience to our program and is someone who has a proven record of developing student-athletes. Above all, Alexis is a great person and she will serve as an exemplary  teammate as a member of our staff and role model for our players.”  

While at SIUE, Smith worked primarily with the goalkeepers and helped lead the Cougars to three straight Ohio Valley Conference Tournament titles and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2020, 2021, 2022) as well as the OVC regular season title in 2021. Overall, Smith worked with 23 All-OVC selections and five major award winners including two Defender of the Year winners, one Midfielder of the Year winner and two Forward of the Year honorees. Off the field, Smith oversaw recruiting, team film breakdown, scouting reports and all team travel breakdown.

Prior to SIU, Smith was an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach at her alma mater, Bowling Green State University. While with the Falcons, she mentored five All-MAC selections. Additionally, Smith spent six years as a coach with St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club Illinois as well as time coaching with the Bowling Green Soccer Club, Pacesetter Soccer Club and the Perrysburg Soccer Club.

A goalkeeper, Smith played collegiately at Bowling Green and Schoolcraft College. After graduation, she played one season with the Cleveland Ambassadors of the Women’s Professional Soccer League.

Smith earned the USSF B license in 2022 and holds C, D E and F licenses as well as the NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma.

The Livonia, Mich. earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bowling Green in 2016 and graduated with an associate of art’s degree in Psychology from Schoolcraft College in 2014.

-UMaine-

By Alexis Demopoulos

Through years of experience in the USPHL and the NCDC, West Chester Wolves forward Sean Tyrie is excited to announce his NCAA Division III commitment to Worcester State University for the 2025-26 season.

Tyrie spent the past three years playing in the USPHL and the NCDC and attributes the leagues for helping make him the player he is today.

“I would like to thank the USPHL and NCDC for giving me every tool necessary to achieve my dream of college hockey and making the last three years of my life something to remember,” said Tyrie.

Tyrie, a native of East Quogue, N.Y., played the 2023-24 season for the USPHL Utica Jr. Comets putting up 48 points in 26 games in his second season. He finished his Premier career with 114 points in 68 games and was a two-time end-of-season All-Star.

He started this season with the NCDC Jr. Comets before getting traded to the Wolves. In 21 games played after getting traded, Tyrie had nine points (6G, 3A) and was a key asset to the team. Overall, Tyrie finished with 14 goals and 18 points in 45 career NCDC games.

“I was traded to West Chester in early November and the way I was treated immediately was second to none,” said Tyrie. “The way Coaches R.C. Lyke, Tyler Casillo and Brian Leonard treat and genuinely care about each kid is something I’ve never seen before in junior hockey. You got an immediate family feel walking into the locker room every day and it was a fun environment to walk into where everybody was pushing each other to get better every day.”

“I’d absolutely have only positive things to say to young kids looking to pursue a hockey future in West Chester. I also have only positive things to say about the Utica Jr. Comets organization which also played a huge role in my junior hockey career.”

Tyrie connected with Worcester State Head Coach Jay Punsky in early 2025 and the process has been nothing short of awesome for him and his family.

“Coach Punsky touched on the fact he’s had the chance to see me play consistently throughout my three years of juniors and saw the upside in my 200-foot game along with adding a scoring touch and some good leadership skills,” said Tyrie.

Worcester State offered Tyrie a top notch education and highly competitive hockey team making this a no-brainer decision for him to spend his next four years.

“What interested me most about the hockey aspect of WSU is how I believe, year-in and year-out you, will have a chance to win the division in the MASCAC,” said Tyrie. “With a lot of good talent and a lot of good teams every single year there will be the ability to make a playoff run and possibly win a divisional championship. Along with that it’s somewhere I believe I can step in right away and make a solid positive impact on the ice and the locker room.

“Academically, WSU made total sense for me and my major in Business Marketing with all the programs I was looking for along with a very impressive academic record throughout the years it’s definitely somewhere I can see myself succeeding in the classroom.”

Now that Tyrie’s junior career has officially come to a close, he will focus on becoming stronger in the postseason before heading to Worcester State in the fall.
“Throughout the summer, I will continue to work on my skating as I think that’s an aspect I can definitely work on going into college hockey,” said Tyrie. “Along with hopefully continuing to put on weight and becoming more physical on the ice come October.”

The NCDC congratulates Sean Tyrie, his family, the West Chester Wolves and Worcester State University for his commitment.