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The University of Utah Athletics
Two Utes Added to Tewaaraton Award Watch List
3/26/2026 11:00 AM | Lacrosse
Stines, DiPonio are two of 11 additions to national award watch list
WASHINGTON, DC – Two members of the University of Utah lacrosse program have been named to the watch list for the 2026 Tewaaraton Award, the Tewaaraton Foundation announced on Thursday. Redshirt senior attack Ryan Stines and senior defense Nikko DiPonio were among the 11 players selected nationally in the second round of additions to the watch list.
Founded in 2001, the Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse players in the United States. The selection committees are made up of premier collegiate coaches and are appointed annually by The Tewaaraton Foundation. "Tewaaraton" is the Mohawk word for lacrosse, and The Tewaaraton Award symbolizes lacrosse's Native American Heritage.
This marks the second year in a row that Stines has been named to the Tewaaraton Watch List and the first such honor for DiPonio. Utah has now had at least one team member on the watch list in each of the last three seasons. Utah is the only program in the Atlantic Sun Conference recognized on this season's watch list.
Stines leads Utah with 38 points, the 11th most in the nation, on 24 goals and 14 assists. He broke the program's career points record last time out against Virginia, notching his 217th career point with a first-quarter goal. His 3.00 goals per game so far this year are the ninth-best in Division I, while his 4.75 points per game lead the ASUN. He sits 18 goals shy of setting the program's career scoring record and 29 assists shy of the Utah career assists record.
One of the nation's best long poles, DiPonio ranks second nationally and leads the ASUN with 2.88 caused turnovers per game and 17th with 6.25 ground balls per game. The senior has led a defensive unit that allows just 9.50 goals per contest, causes 12.63 turnovers per game – the second most nationally – and collects a NCAA-leading 39.50 ground balls per game. DiPonio has been the top position player in ground balls per game each of the last three seasons and was the only position player to finish in the top 25 in both 2024 and 2025.
Five men's and five women's finalists will be announced in early May after the conclusion of the collegiate lacrosse season. The Finalists will be honored and this year's recipients announced live on May 28 at the Tewaaraton Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
UP NEXT
Stines, DiPonio and the Utes will open ASUN Conference play at Ute Field on Saturday, March 28, when they face off against the Bellarmine Knights at noon. Admission is free for all fans.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow along on social media (X: @UTAHLacrosse | Instagram: @utahlacrosse), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
Founded in 2001, the Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse players in the United States. The selection committees are made up of premier collegiate coaches and are appointed annually by The Tewaaraton Foundation. "Tewaaraton" is the Mohawk word for lacrosse, and The Tewaaraton Award symbolizes lacrosse's Native American Heritage.
This marks the second year in a row that Stines has been named to the Tewaaraton Watch List and the first such honor for DiPonio. Utah has now had at least one team member on the watch list in each of the last three seasons. Utah is the only program in the Atlantic Sun Conference recognized on this season's watch list.
Stines leads Utah with 38 points, the 11th most in the nation, on 24 goals and 14 assists. He broke the program's career points record last time out against Virginia, notching his 217th career point with a first-quarter goal. His 3.00 goals per game so far this year are the ninth-best in Division I, while his 4.75 points per game lead the ASUN. He sits 18 goals shy of setting the program's career scoring record and 29 assists shy of the Utah career assists record.
One of the nation's best long poles, DiPonio ranks second nationally and leads the ASUN with 2.88 caused turnovers per game and 17th with 6.25 ground balls per game. The senior has led a defensive unit that allows just 9.50 goals per contest, causes 12.63 turnovers per game – the second most nationally – and collects a NCAA-leading 39.50 ground balls per game. DiPonio has been the top position player in ground balls per game each of the last three seasons and was the only position player to finish in the top 25 in both 2024 and 2025.
Five men's and five women's finalists will be announced in early May after the conclusion of the collegiate lacrosse season. The Finalists will be honored and this year's recipients announced live on May 28 at the Tewaaraton Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
UP NEXT
Stines, DiPonio and the Utes will open ASUN Conference play at Ute Field on Saturday, March 28, when they face off against the Bellarmine Knights at noon. Admission is free for all fans.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow along on social media (X: @UTAHLacrosse | Instagram: @utahlacrosse), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
Players Mentioned
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