Finalists Announced For Chris Sailer Leadership Award
Five Princeton student-athletes have been named finalists for the 2026 Chris Sailer Leadership Award in honor of Chris Sailer, Hall-of-Fame women's lacrosse coach at Princeton from 1987-2022. The award, made possible by Lucy Small DeStefano '99 S94 and Chris DeStefano '94 S99, is awarded annually to senior student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to serving others.
Princeton University Athletics
Finalists Announced For Chris Sailer Leadership Award
May 13, 2026 | General, Men's Ice Hockey, Men's Water Polo, Softball, Women's Track and Field, Women's Volleyball
Five Princeton student-athletes have been named finalists for the 2026 Chris Sailer Leadership Award in honor of Chris Sailer, Hall-of-Fame women's lacrosse coach at Princeton from 1987-2022. The award, made possible by Lucy Small DeStefano '99 S94 and Chris DeStefano '94 S99, is awarded annually to senior student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to serving others.
The Chris Sailer Leadership Award will be presented at the Gary Walters '67 Princeton Varsity Club Awards Banquet on Thursday, May 21st starting at 5:00 p.m. ET. For more information on the 2026 banquet, click here.
Meet the 2026 finalists!
SHEA GREENE | WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD
Shea Greene is a senior and two-year team captain for Princeton women's track & field. She is a two-time 2nd team All American and three-time Ivy League champion in the javelin, having helped the Tigers to the 2024-25 Triple Crown. Currently ranked top-5 nationally, Greene looks to add to these accolades with Outdoor Heps (May 16-17) and the spring NCAA Championships on the horizon.
A servant leader who effectively inspires across her team's event groups and the greater department, Greene has been part of the Executive Team for the Student-Athlete Wellness Leader program, and is a founding member of her team's Community Service committee. Additionally, she serves as Co-President of the Jewish Student-Athlete Collective, a class representative for the Department of Politics and Undergraduate Associate for the Julis Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy and Finance.
An All-Academic honoree from Weston, Conn., Greene is majoring in politics and pursuing a certificate in entrepreneurship.
DAVID JACOBS | MEN'S ICE HOCKEY
David Jacobs is a two-year captain for Princeton men's ice hockey, whose 89 career points rank top-25 in program history. A 2026 ECAC Defensive Forward of the Year finalist and All-Ivy performer, Jacobs helped the Tigers to their most wins (18) in nearly a decade and fifth-most wins in a season in program history and a trip to Lake Placid and the ECAC title game for the first time since 2018.
Jacobs' steadfast and respected leadership was on full display these past two seasons as he helped the program transition to a new coaching staff and instill a renewed belief in the halls of Baker Rink. Living out the "C" on the chest, Jacobs demonstrated an uncanny ability to inspire others while building and sustaining the program's culture daily. Off the ice, he has served his campus community as a Student-Athlete Wellness Leader and been active with Princeton Student Agencies.
An annual ECAC All-Academic honoree from Needham, Mass., Jacobs is majoring in Economics with a minor in Finance.
LUKE JOHNSTON | MEN'S WATER POLO
Luke Johnston is a senior captain for Princeton men's water polo, having helped the Tigers to four NWPC championships and NCAA appearances during his career. His 97 drawn ejections this past fall were a single-season program record.
Johnston has been a pillar of steady and positive leadership throughout his career, even when overcoming injury. As a senior captain, Johnston was instrumental in bringing a young team together and navigating the transition that comes with graduating an accomplished class of ten seniors. His steadfast and inclusive leadership helped the team grow and secure the program's fifth consecutive league title.
Out of the water, Johnston helped the Princeton University Library source an 18th-century manuscript to assist in the study of the American Revolution. The piece included several sea shanties, a singing tradition of water polo alumni at Reunions.
A three-time ACWPC All-Academic honoree from Menlo Park, Calif., Johnston is a history major with minors in classics and Judaic studies.
VALERIE NUTAKOR | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Valerie Nutakor is an outside hitter and two-year captain for Princeton women's volleyball. This past season saw Nutakor garner First Team All-Ivy honors while leading the Tigers to their third consecutive Ivy League title, as well as an Ivy Tournament championship and NCAA appearance.
Off the court, Nutakor has been an instrumental leader in the health and wellness space, supporting her team and campus community as a Student-Athlete Wellness Leader, SHARE Peer, UHS Peer Health Advisor and Athlete to Athlete mentor. She has also led on the academic support front, serving as a Peer Academic Advisor in her residential college and undergraduate teaching assistant. Additionally, Nutakor serves her local community as an emergency room technician and EMT, while also finding time to color commentate home Princeton men's volleyball contests.
An Ivy All-Academic honoree from Forsyth, Ill., Nutakor is a psychology major with a minor in neuroscience as part of the pre-med track.
BRIELLE WRIGHT | SOFTBALL
Senior captain Brielle Wright has guided Princeton softball to four Ivy titles and a league record 65 Ivy regular season victories during her career. She holds Ivy League records for single season and career saves, and was on the rubber to close out Princeton's first NCAA Tournament victory in two decades.
A resilient and selfless leader with an unwavering competitive fire in the circle, Wright has persevered through injuries throughout her career to always be there for the Tigers in the biggest moments. Whether called upon to start games or be the closer, the 2025 Ivy Pitcher of the Year always leans in to whatever role best serves the team and positions the Tigers for success.
Off the diamond, Wright serves as a Tiger Pal mentor for local elementary students, Student-Athlete Wellness Leader, Athletic Department student marketing lead, and team representative for the Friends of Softball Board, helping to facilitate mentoring events and communications.
Wright is an NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete and economics major from Rocklin, Calif.
The Chris Sailer Leadership Award will be presented at the Gary Walters '67 Princeton Varsity Club Awards Banquet on Thursday, May 21st starting at 5:00 p.m. ET. For more information on the 2026 banquet, click here.
Meet the 2026 finalists!
SHEA GREENE | WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD
Shea Greene is a senior and two-year team captain for Princeton women's track & field. She is a two-time 2nd team All American and three-time Ivy League champion in the javelin, having helped the Tigers to the 2024-25 Triple Crown. Currently ranked top-5 nationally, Greene looks to add to these accolades with Outdoor Heps (May 16-17) and the spring NCAA Championships on the horizon.
A servant leader who effectively inspires across her team's event groups and the greater department, Greene has been part of the Executive Team for the Student-Athlete Wellness Leader program, and is a founding member of her team's Community Service committee. Additionally, she serves as Co-President of the Jewish Student-Athlete Collective, a class representative for the Department of Politics and Undergraduate Associate for the Julis Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy and Finance.
An All-Academic honoree from Weston, Conn., Greene is majoring in politics and pursuing a certificate in entrepreneurship.
DAVID JACOBS | MEN'S ICE HOCKEY
David Jacobs is a two-year captain for Princeton men's ice hockey, whose 89 career points rank top-25 in program history. A 2026 ECAC Defensive Forward of the Year finalist and All-Ivy performer, Jacobs helped the Tigers to their most wins (18) in nearly a decade and fifth-most wins in a season in program history and a trip to Lake Placid and the ECAC title game for the first time since 2018.
Jacobs' steadfast and respected leadership was on full display these past two seasons as he helped the program transition to a new coaching staff and instill a renewed belief in the halls of Baker Rink. Living out the "C" on the chest, Jacobs demonstrated an uncanny ability to inspire others while building and sustaining the program's culture daily. Off the ice, he has served his campus community as a Student-Athlete Wellness Leader and been active with Princeton Student Agencies.
An annual ECAC All-Academic honoree from Needham, Mass., Jacobs is majoring in Economics with a minor in Finance.
LUKE JOHNSTON | MEN'S WATER POLO
Luke Johnston is a senior captain for Princeton men's water polo, having helped the Tigers to four NWPC championships and NCAA appearances during his career. His 97 drawn ejections this past fall were a single-season program record.
Johnston has been a pillar of steady and positive leadership throughout his career, even when overcoming injury. As a senior captain, Johnston was instrumental in bringing a young team together and navigating the transition that comes with graduating an accomplished class of ten seniors. His steadfast and inclusive leadership helped the team grow and secure the program's fifth consecutive league title.
Out of the water, Johnston helped the Princeton University Library source an 18th-century manuscript to assist in the study of the American Revolution. The piece included several sea shanties, a singing tradition of water polo alumni at Reunions.
A three-time ACWPC All-Academic honoree from Menlo Park, Calif., Johnston is a history major with minors in classics and Judaic studies.
VALERIE NUTAKOR | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Valerie Nutakor is an outside hitter and two-year captain for Princeton women's volleyball. This past season saw Nutakor garner First Team All-Ivy honors while leading the Tigers to their third consecutive Ivy League title, as well as an Ivy Tournament championship and NCAA appearance.
Off the court, Nutakor has been an instrumental leader in the health and wellness space, supporting her team and campus community as a Student-Athlete Wellness Leader, SHARE Peer, UHS Peer Health Advisor and Athlete to Athlete mentor. She has also led on the academic support front, serving as a Peer Academic Advisor in her residential college and undergraduate teaching assistant. Additionally, Nutakor serves her local community as an emergency room technician and EMT, while also finding time to color commentate home Princeton men's volleyball contests.
An Ivy All-Academic honoree from Forsyth, Ill., Nutakor is a psychology major with a minor in neuroscience as part of the pre-med track.
BRIELLE WRIGHT | SOFTBALL
Senior captain Brielle Wright has guided Princeton softball to four Ivy titles and a league record 65 Ivy regular season victories during her career. She holds Ivy League records for single season and career saves, and was on the rubber to close out Princeton's first NCAA Tournament victory in two decades.
A resilient and selfless leader with an unwavering competitive fire in the circle, Wright has persevered through injuries throughout her career to always be there for the Tigers in the biggest moments. Whether called upon to start games or be the closer, the 2025 Ivy Pitcher of the Year always leans in to whatever role best serves the team and positions the Tigers for success.
Off the diamond, Wright serves as a Tiger Pal mentor for local elementary students, Student-Athlete Wellness Leader, Athletic Department student marketing lead, and team representative for the Friends of Softball Board, helping to facilitate mentoring events and communications.
Wright is an NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete and economics major from Rocklin, Calif.
Players Mentioned
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