MADISON TAYLOR AND SHAWN LYGHT NAMED WINNERS OF 2026 TEWAARATON AWARD PRESENTED BY STIFEL

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Tewaaraton Foundation has announced that Madison Taylor of Northwestern University and Shawn Lyght of University of Notre Dame are the recipients of the 2026 Tewaaraton Award Presented by Stifel, recognizing the most outstanding men’s and women’s college lacrosse players in the United States.

The winners were honored Thursday evening during the 26th annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony Presented by Stifel at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

“The Tewaaraton Award represents the pinnacle of achievement in college lacrosse, and Stifel is proud to recognize the outstanding success of this year’s winners,” said Ron Kruszewski, Chairman and CEO of Stifel. “Their dedication to their teammates, their schools, and the game itself has inspired fans across the country and elevated the sport at every level.”

Taylor, a senior from Wantagh High School, becomes the fifth Wildcat to win the award, joining Kristen Kjellman, Hannah Nielsen, Shannon Smith and Izzy Scane. Leading Northwestern to the 2026 NCAA Championship with 139 points this season, Taylor is a three-time Tewaaraton finalist and two-time national champion, tying Scane’s program record with 483 career points after notching an NCAA Championship Game-record six assists. The first player in NCAA history to record more than 450 points and 200 draw controls, Taylor was the No. 1 overall pick in the Women’s Lacrosse League Draft by the California Palms.

Lyght, a junior from Seton Hall Prep, won his second-straight William C. Schmeisser Award as the nation’s best defensive player. The first defensive men’s player to win the Tewaaraton, Lyght led Notre Dame to the NCAA Championship Game as the 2026 ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the NCAA All-Tournament Team after locking down a host of top attackmen, including holding Tewaaraton Finalist Joey Spallina without a goal in the national semifinal. Notre Dame’s defense finished sixth nationally against one of the country’s toughest schedules.

“The Tewaaraton Award was created to recognize the very best our sport has to offer, and this year’s recipients exemplify that standard in every way,” said Jeffrey Harvey, Chairman of the Tewaaraton Foundation. “Their accomplishments this season, combined with the leadership and character they demonstrated throughout their careers, have left a lasting impact on their teams, their communities, and the game of lacrosse itself.”

The 2026 finalists on the women’s side also included Alyssa Chung (U.S. Naval Academy), Brigid Duffy (U.S. Military Academy), Chloe Humphrey (University of North Carolina), and Reagan O’Brien (Johns Hopkins University). The men’s finalists also included Owen Duffy (University of North Carolina), Willem Firth (Cornell University), Nate Kabiri (Princeton University), and Joey Spallina (Syracuse University).

During the ceremony, the Tewaaraton Foundation recognized Jayden James and Jordyn Hill-Bucktooth as the recipients of the 2026 Tewaaraton Outstanding Haudenosaunee Scholarships Presented by Hildene Capital. The scholarships honor outstanding student-athletes who embody excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and service while honoring the traditions and heritage of the Creator’s Game.

The Foundation also honored lacrosse legends Mike French and Jack Emmer. French received the Tewaaraton Legend Award, recognizing individuals whose careers left a lasting legacy on the game and who would have been strong candidates for the Tewaaraton Trophy had it existed during their playing careers. Emmer received the Spirit of Tewaaraton Award, honoring individuals who exemplify the values and traditions of lacrosse while contributing to the growth and integrity of the sport.

The Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the preeminent honor in college lacrosse and symbolizes the Native American heritage of the sport. Founded at the University Club of Washington, D.C., the award was first presented in 2001 with permission from the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders. “Tewaaraton” is the Mohawk word for lacrosse.

For more information on the Tewaaraton Foundation, visit tewaaraton.com. Like and follow The Tewaaraton Foundation at facebook.com/tewaaraton, twitter.com/tewaaraton and instagram.com/tewaaraton.

About The Tewaaraton Foundation

The Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the preeminent lacrosse award, annually honoring the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. Founded at the University Club of Washington, D.C., the award was first presented in 2001 with permission from the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders. “Tewaaraton” is the Mohawk word for lacrosse, and The Tewaaraton Award symbolizes lacrosse’s Native American Heritage. The Tewaaraton Foundation ensures the integrity of the selection process and advances the mission of the Foundation. Each year, The Tewaaraton Foundation presents two scholarships to students from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy – the Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora Nations.

Stifel Company Information

Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a diversified financial services firm providing wealth management, commercial and investment banking, trading, and research services to individuals, institutions, and municipalities. Founded in 1890 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the firm operates more than 400 offices across the United States and in major global financial centers. As a firm where success meets success, Stifel works closely with retail and institutional clients aiming to transform opportunities into achievement. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at Stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases. Like and follow Stifel on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.