Since the 2025-26 season has tipped off for Monmouth sports, there have been many notable moments. Stretching from the fields to the courts.
On the field, we saw the all-time sack record go down when Anthony Cikauskas broke it on November 1st, 2025, against Uchicago in a 29-0 win. The record was previously held by Thomas Lesniewski (2015-18).
“It felt amazing to become the all-time sack record. Before my freshman year started, I told myself this was going to be a goal of mine. I was very blessed after breaking that record as I looked back at all the work I put in to accomplish such an honor. As a wrap up my senior year, I’ll be forever grateful for the multiple records I broke and memories I made through my four years here at Monmouth College,” said Cikauskas.
It’s safe to say that Cikauskas was a big part of why the Football team saw so much success. This season, the Scots went undefeated in conference play and advanced to the NCAA playoffs.
Anthony Cikauskas. Photo by Nayeli Perez.
Moving onto the court for volleyball, we saw history be made by Kaylee Celus, who picked up right where she left off after an impressive freshman campaign, which earned her a Midwest Conference first team selection. Celus made history by becoming the first Scots Volleyball player to be named Midwest Conference Player of the Year.
“Becoming MWC Player of the Year for volleyball meant so much to me. I would have never been able to earn this award without my amazing teammates and coaches. There are a lot of great players in the conference, and being named the player of the year was a huge honor. I was very surprised when I found out I had earned the award. Being a sophomore and knowing all the talent that the conference has made winning this award more exciting. My main focus is doing what I need to do for our team to be successful, so I try not to focus on the individual awards as much,” said Celus.
Kaylee Celus. Photo by Nayeli Perez.
With this only being year two for Celus, many may wonder what’s in store for the next two years. That is a question only time will tell though.
Heading over to the basketball court, Zay Brown is a name I’m sure plenty have heard here on Monmouth College campus. He holds the record for the most consecutive double-digit scoring games in Scots history.
Since coming to Monmouth, Brown has collected many awards. In his first season as a Scot, he earned First-Team All-Region, Midwest Conference Player of the Year, Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year, and MWC First-Team.
“It means a lot to be a part of Monmouth history, and it also means a lot to me knowing all the effort I put into basketball pays off, and being consistent is one of the keys,” said Brown. Brown’s statement is backed up by the double-digit scoring record that dates back to last season, which means that since January 11, 2025, Brown hasn’t scored under 10 points.
Zay Brown. Photo by Nayeli Perez.
Swinging the rock to the women’s team, we have senior point guard Kynlee Stearns, who just ended her stellar career as a Monmouth Basketball player. Stearns was the starting guard for the Scots this season, and although she’s listed as a point guard, she often led the team in scoring, putting up big numbers time and time again. If you were watching the Scots play ball, it wasn’t a rare occurrence to see Stearns get the hot hand and go off scoring the ball.
“I never once thought that I would get a triple-double in college. I hadn’t even gotten a double-double until this year, so going beyond that and getting a triple-double feels amazing. I feel like getting an accomplishment like this just highlights all the hard work that I’ve put into my basketball career,” said Stearns.
On December 29th, 2025, Stearns would get it done on all ends of the court, posting a triple-double over Eureka College to get the win 97-96. Which makes her the second player in history to record a triple-double for the women’s program. While being the first to do so in a game that didn’t go to overtime.
“The one other player to do it was my JV coach in High School, so that’s even more special to me to be alongside her. It feels good to end my career with such a huge accomplishment,” said Stearns.
Kynlee Stearns. Photo by Kent Kriegshauser.