Highlighting players who took a leap toward stardom in the division this spring.
June 18, 2026 by Zack Davis in Awards
Each year, Ultiworld presents our annual College Awards. Our staff evaluates the individual performances of players from throughout the season, talking to folks around college ultimate, watching film, and look at statistics, voting upon the awards to decide those to be honored. The regular season and the college Series are both considered, with extra emphasis for performances in the competitive and high-stakes environment at Nationals.
The Breakout Player of the Year recognizes rising juniors and seniors who made themselves known in a new light this season. While our nebulous definition of “breakout” reflects an evolving set of criteria, rather than celebrating the improvement of those from whom big things were already expected, we aim to use this award to celebrate the emergence of those who previously have not been on the national radar. Whether it be through growth in ability, role, or both, the Breakout Player of the Year and runners-up honor those who rose to the occasion with improved and high-impact performance on a new level this season — putting them squarely in the spotlight moving forward.
- All-American First Team
- Player of the Year
- All-American Second Team
- Offensive Player of the Year Award
- Defensive Player of the Year Award
- Breakout Player of the Year Award
- Rookie of the Year Award
- Coaches of the Year Award
- Full Awards Voting Breakdown
D-III Women’s 2026 Breakout Player Of The Year
Julia Hanson (Whitman)
It’s one of the great joys of D-III and college ultimate in general to watch a player reach new heights. Julia Hanson was exemplary of that joy this season, coming off of a freshman performance that in a normal year would have put her in contention for Rookie of the Year honors, but got buried by the likes of Milo Brown and Ella Widmyer. Hanson took this year, and particularly Nationals weekend, to remind fans what she’s capable of. Not only that, but Hanson played well enough to put herself in the same conversation as Widmyer, Brown, and teammate Gabbie Campbell.
Hanson was cool, calm, and collected with the disc in her hands, and to go along with that veteran presence was a veteran’s skill, lighting up the scoreboard with both her arm and her legs. Hanson was the Sweets’ release valve, piling up resets to go along with her 8G/18A/11D statline. It didn’t come easy. Hanson was both in the air and all over the grass, scooping up errant throws near and far. Beneath the flashy layouts and and big plays was a consistently skilled player, who was regularly outmatching and outclassing much more experienced players. This may just be her breakout, but Hanson will be a big factor in years to come.
– Zack Davis
First Runner-Up
Izzy Laramee (Middlebury)
Laramee was a D-line grinder as a rookie, reeling in only a single goal last season at Nationals and no assists. This season was a true breakout performance. Laramee was an out and out O-line star. She made her presence known for the Pranksters this year by flying into open spaces and refusing to give her defenders a chance to recover. Laramee had 10 goals over the course of Nationals, but was influential outside of the red zone as well, constantly open and providing an option for her handlers, happy and capable of giving them the disc and going to get open again.
– Zack Davis
Second Runner-Up
Radhiya Bharmal (Rice)
Behind every stand out like Ria Stevens is a player like Bharmal. Solid, reliable, and consistent, Bharmal is everything a team needs. What’s more is that because of Rice’s small roster size, Bharmal was on the field constantly, and though she was clearly tired, she never let up. Every point, every throw, every cut, she was going full tilt. Her play opened up the field for Rice, capable of pinpoint deep shots and consistently breaking marks with high release flicks. Bharmal may have been an unknown before, but she will continue to be a weapon for Rice and wherever else she lands in the future.
– Zack Davis
