WILKES-BARRE, PA (May 6, 2026) -- With the 2025-26 academic calendar nearing its conclusion, King's College Sports Performance has proudly announced the men's recipients of the newly established Iron Monarch Award. The distinction recognizes elite student-athletes who consistently set the standard in the weight room, on the field, or in team settings through exceptional attitude, effort, enthusiasm, and leadership. Iron Monarchs are not just strong and talented, but also culture-drivers who elevate those around them through consistency, discipline, and accountability.
 
The 2025-26 Men's Iron Monarchs are listed below:
 
Track and Field student-athlete Josh Malone was named an Iron Monarch after establishing himself as a daily tone-setter in the weight room. Garrett Thomas, Graduate Assistant for Sports Performance, said that Malone's "unbelievable work ethic and attention to detail" stood out, noting that he routinely went out of his way to seek additional work and displayed exceptional leadership with younger athletes.
 
Men's Volleyball standout Antonio Tavarez was recognized for his relentless energy and dedication. Thomas said Tavarez is "the first one in and last one out at every lift," pushing himself and his teammates each and every day. His dedication was especially evident as he battled injuries while remaining fully invested in doing everything possible to return to the court.
 
Men's Swimmers Christopher Maciejczyk and Matthew Maciejczyk earned Iron Monarch honors after consistently serving as dependable leaders within the Sports Performance program. Coach Thomas emphasized that the twins "refuse to miss a team lift for any reason," routinely arriving with great energy for 6:00 a.m. sessions. Beyond their own commitment, Matthew and Christopher took an active role in helping mentor less experienced teammates in the weight room, encouraging the entire group to push past perceived limits. Their consistent presence, positive attitude, and willingness to lead made them invaluable contributors to both the training environment and overall team culture.
 
Football linemen Michael Richino and Kaleb Beers were recognized for the consistency and toughness they displayed throughout the year. Director of Sports Performance Ross Bowsher said both "show up every day ready to work and hold everyone around them accountable to a truly high standard," whether during the season or in winter training. Despite bodies worn down over the course of the year in an extremely physically-demanding sport, neither used injury as an excuse, instead adapting their training to maintain strength and power while leading through elite attitude, effort, and enthusiasm in every session.
 
Baseball's Troy Neff was honored after a complete physical transformation that translated directly to on-field production. Bowsher described him as "a perfect example of what can happen when a student-athlete fully commits," pointing to significant strength gains and improved speed developed through the program. That dedication has carried over into competition, where Neff led the team in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and stolen bases, underscoring the direct impact of his work in the weight room.
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Men's Ice Hockey's Diego D'Alessandro was recognized as one of the most dominant training presences in the Sports Performance program. Coach Bowsher described him as "an absolute monster in the weight room," citing his program-best Olympic lifts and ability to consistently push his body to higher levels. Diego remains at the front of every speed, change-of-direction, and conditioning session, bringing the same relentless standard whether in-season or out. A quiet leader, he leads by example through availability, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to preparing his body for the demands of the hockey season.
 
Wrestling's Jacob Torres represented the driving force behind a major cultural shift within the program during the 2025-26 season. Bowsher noted that meaningful transformation required leadership that "would not have been possible without Jacob's steady presence and commitment to leading by example." From the start of the summer during the King's Way program, Torres set the expectation by showing up daily as a model of discipline and accountability, reinforcing program standards through the fall and into an exceptional spring, helping position the wrestling program to enter next season with momentum and a fully bought-in attitude.
 
Men's Lacrosse teammates Billy Beggs and Ryan Rickards were honored for sustaining an elite training standard throughout the entire year. From early-morning 6:00 a.m. lifts in the fall to the grind of the spring in-season schedule, the program maintained a rare level of consistency with no drop-off in physical preparation. Coach Bowsher credited that commitment to their leadership, noting that "very few teams can sustain that level of consistency year-round," and that Beggs and Rickards brought "energy, passion, enthusiasm, and intensity every single day." By holding teammates accountable and leading through daily habits and effort, the duo helped establish a foundation that positions the program for continued success and future leadership growth.
 
The Iron Monarch First Year 3 Mental Toughness Award was also introduced this year and recognizes first-year student-athletes who demonstrate resilience, work ethic, and commitment as they adjust to the demands of collegiate athletics. Bowsher noted that the transition can be challenging, explaining that while some athletes are discouraged by early setbacks, "others respond by going to work." The award honors those who display exceptional character, work ethic, and mental toughness.
 
This year's recipients are Connor Campbell, Tyler Balok, and Gianni Scaturro. Campbell and Balok, first year baseball players, committed to early-morning training sessions three times per week throughout the spring, prioritizing physical development and preparation for future seasons. Scaturro, a first year football player, dominated in-season developmental lifts during the fall and entered the winter training block as one of the strongest athletes on the roster. Bowsher emphasized that "none of these three let their circumstances dictate their path," making them ideal representatives of the Iron Monarch standard.