COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 12, 2026) – CSU Pueblo men's soccer graduate student Nick Cenek has been named the 2026 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Men's Soccer Academic Player of the Year, highlighting a group of 11 ThunderWolves recognized for their outstanding achievements in the classroom.
Along with Cenek earning the conference's top academic honor, ten additional members of the Pack were named to the RMAC Men's Soccer Academic Honor Roll, showcasing the program's continued commitment to excellence both on the pitch and in the classroom.
Cenek, who is pursuing his graduate degree in Business Administration, has maintained a perfect 4.00 graduate grade-point average, demonstrating exceptional dedication to his academic responsibilities while serving as one of the ThunderWolves' top offensive weapons.
The prestigious honor adds another accomplishment to an impressive 2026 campaign for Cenek, who has helped lead CSU Pueblo to one of its most successful regular seasons in program history.
On the pitch, Cenek has been a driving force behind the ThunderWolves' offensive success this season, leading the Pack in scoring and establishing himself among the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's premier attacking players. His offensive production helped CSU Pueblo complete the regular season unbeaten, earn a national ranking as high as No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll and secure a berth in the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament.
Cenek's ability to balance the demands of graduate-level coursework with his responsibilities as a key contributor for the nationally ranked ThunderWolves exemplifies the dedication and discipline required of a successful student-athlete.
In addition to Cenek's individual recognition, ten other ThunderWolves earned spots on the RMAC Academic Honor Roll, further demonstrating the program's commitment to academic achievement under first-year head coach Thomás Pazo Tourinho.
The ten Academic Honor Roll selections include Jamal Bynum, Arlo Follet, Esteban Gonzalez, Katsutoshi Hayashi, Tristin Lee, Pedro Martínez Castro, Juan Pablo Orozco Soto, José Peris Gimeno, Brandon Sanchez and Abram Wall.
Of the ten Academic Honor Roll honorees, three recorded grade-point averages of 3.80 or higher, led by Hayashi's 3.89 GPA, Follet's 3.84 GPA and Peris Gimeno's 3.82 GPA.
The ThunderWolves' 11 total academic honorees reflect the program's emphasis on developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel in competition and in their academic pursuits.
2026 CSU Pueblo Men's Soccer RMAC Academic Honorees
RMAC Academic Player of the Year
RMAC Academic Honor Roll
-
Jamal Bynum – Sophomore – Health Sciences/Athletic Training – 3.37 GPA
-
Arlo Follet – Junior – Chemistry – 3.84 GPA
-
Esteban Gonzalez – Senior – Pre-Business – 3.36 GPA
-
Katsutoshi Hayashi – Sophomore – Pre-Business – 3.89 GPA
-
Tristin Lee – Sophomore – Health Sciences – 3.68 GPA
-
Pedro Martínez Castro – Sophomore – Industrial Engineering – 3.58 GPA
-
Juan Pablo Orozco Soto – Sophomore – Civil Engineering – 3.49 GPA
-
José Peris Gimeno – Sophomore – Exercise Science, Physical Education and Recreation – 3.82 GPA
-
Brandon Sanchez – Senior – Biology – 3.59 GPA
-
Abram Wall – Sophomore – Pre-Business – 3.61 GPA
Up Next
The ThunderWolves will turn their attention to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament, where third-seeded CSU Pueblo will host sixth-seeded Cal State San Bernardino in a Super Region 4 second-round matchup on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.
