JACKSONVILLE—Jax State Athletics announced its 2026 Eagle Owl Award recipients at Monday night's Gamecock Choice Awards.
Senior softball player
Morgan Nowakowski was the female winner and baseball player
Caleb Johnson was the winner on the male side.
At the conclusion of each academic year, the Eagle Owl Award, which was established in 1994, is given to a male and a female senior athlete who possess several outstanding qualities.
To be nominated, the student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve during his or her senior season and carry a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher.
The student-athlete must excel in his or her sport, be a positive role model for others and exemplify the well-rounded student-athlete. Nominees are voted on by a selection committee, which is comprised of administration throughout the Jacksonville State campus. Each of this year's recipients exemplify the spirit of the award.
Nowakowski, a fifth-year outfielder from Huntsville is a career .325 hitter over 201 games played at Jax State. During the 2026 season, she is hitting a career-best .354 with 19 doubles which is at the top of Conference USA and fourth nationally.
Additionally, she carries a 4.0 grade point average as a Healthcare MBA major and is a four-time President's List member. Nowakowski is the first softball player to win the award since Alexus Jimmerson in 2021.
Johnson is a four-year member of the Gamecock baseball team whose career-best .309 batting average during his senior season has Jax State at the top of the Conference USA standings. In 203 career games, the Phenix City native has 199 career hits with 122 RBIs. The shortstop has a career .960 fielding percentage in nearly 900 career chances. Johnson becomes the first baseball recipient since Todd Hornsby in 2012.
Past winners of the Eagle Owl Award
| Year |
Female Winner |
Sport |
Male Winner |
Sport |
| 2025-26 |
Morgan Nowakowski |
Softball |
Caleb Johnson |
Baseball |
| 2024-25 |
Anna Warkel |
Bowling |
Clay Webb |
Football |
| 2023-24 |
Rebecca Hagerman |
Bowling |
Erik Jansson |
Golf |
| 2022-23 |
Claire Vermette |
Golf |
Stevonte Tullis |
Football |
| 2021-22 |
Lexie Libs |
Volleyball |
Darian Adams |
Basketball |
| 2020-21 |
Alexus Jimmerson |
Softball |
Jesus Montenegro |
Golf |
| 2019-20 |
Chloe Long |
Basketball |
Josh Brady |
Football |
| 2018-19 |
Mackenzie Rombach |
Volleyball |
Jason Burnell |
Basketball |
| 2017-18 |
Kayla Thompson |
T&F, Soccer |
Justin Lea |
Football |
| 2016-17 |
Taylor West |
Softball |
Eli Jenkins |
Football |
| 2015-16 |
Melania Bajo Geijo |
Golf |
Jermaine Hough |
Football |
| 2014-15 |
Sara Borders |
Softball |
Max Holcombe |
Football |
| 2013-14 |
Tiffany Harbin |
Softball |
Sam Muegge |
Rifle |
| 2012-13 |
Krystal Ruth |
Softball |
Marques Ivory |
Football |
| 2011-12 |
Lauren Harkins |
Volleyball |
Todd Hornsby |
Baseball |
| 2010-11 |
Caitlin Vorbeck |
Volleyball |
Curt Porter |
Football |
| 2009-10 |
Nikki Prier |
Softball |
Josh Cain |
Football |
| 2008-09 |
Allie Barker |
Softball |
Gavin Hallford |
Football |
| 2007-08 |
Abbey Breit |
Volleyball |
Clay Whittemore |
Baseball |
| 2006-07 |
Daniela Pappano |
Softball |
Clay Green |
Football |
| 2005-06 |
Kisha West |
Volleyball |
James Hall |
Rifle |
| 2004-05 |
Kari Baldwin |
Rifle |
Matias Anselmo |
Golf |
| 2003-04 |
Jennifer Brenneman |
Volleyball |
C.R. Palmer |
Baseball |
| 2002-03 |
Sally Pearson |
Tennis |
Jose Campra |
Golf |
| 2001-02 |
Adriana Finelli |
Soccer |
Jeremy Sullivan |
Football |
| 2000-01 |
Lauren Buck |
Softball |
Brad Smith |
Baseball |
| 1999-00 |
Lisa Baswell |
Basketball |
Joey Hamilton |
Football |
| 1998-99 |
Lucinda Roddy |
Rifle |
|
|
| 1997-98 |
Melissa Harden |
Basketball |
|
|
| 1996-97 |
Kathy Schuneman |
Rifle |
|
|
| 1995-96 |
Tracey Wilder |
Tennis |
|
|
| 1994-95 |
Ann Shelton |
Softball |
|
|
| 1993-94 |
Jana Simmons |
BKB, VB, SB |
|
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