FOREST, Va. --- The same two schools that earned last season's top ODAC scholar-athlete awards are back on the podium this year, but in a reversal of roles. Washington and Lee University two-sport star Sarah Zimmerman and Shenandoah University football standout Matt Conroy are the recipients of the 2025-26 Marjorie Berkley and Harry G. "Doc" Jopson Awards, respectively, following a vote of the league's board of directors.

Washington and Lee is no stranger to end-of-season ODAC awards as Zimmerman is the 30th selection as either the Berkley or Jopson winner in Generals' history. The women's soccer and women's basketball headliner is the 14th recipient of the Berkley Award for the blue & white and WLU's fourth honoree since 2020.

Conroy is the second Jopson Award winner for Shenandoah, joining former baseball standout Gavin Horning from 2024. SU has now claimed five overall high ODAC honors with Hornets' women's athletes garnering the Berkley Award in three of the last five years.

Inaugurated in 1984 and 1981, respectively, the Marjorie Berkley and Harry G. "Doc" Jopson Scholar-Athlete Awards are given each spring to member institution seniors (or graduate students) and conference sport participants who exhibit the highest athletic, academic, and extracurricular achievements. Ms. Berkley began her collegiate teaching career at then Lynchburg College. Several years later, she moved to Hollins University where she coached tennis, field hockey, and soccer, and served as the athletic director for 30 years.

The Jopson Award is named in honor of the Bridgewater College professor and coach who retired in 1981 following 45 years at BC. Dr. Jopson, who initiated and directed the Eagles' cross country and track & field programs, led his teams to ODAC indoor track & field titles in 1979, 1980 and 1981, and outdoor crowns from 1978 through 1981.

“Looking ahead, I know sport has shaped not just my habits but my direction,” explained Zimmerman in a personal statement as part of her nomination materials for the Berkley Award. “I'm drawn to environments that are fast-paced, collaborative, and require real problem-solving under pressure which is exactly what led me toward investment banking after graduation. In many ways, it feels like a natural extension of everything sport has already prepared me for. Sports didn't just coexist with my academic journey; they made me who I am within it.”

Zimmerman’s success is multi-faceted on several levels, not as a high-achiever in the broad landscapes of athletics and academics, but also as a contributor to her communities and absolutely star for the Generals’ women’s soccer and basketball teams.

In the classroom, Zimmerman graduated as a mathematics and business administration double-major. She is the first two-time CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-American in the women’s soccer program’s history (nominated for soccer) and stands as an eight-time W&L Scholar-Athlete. She claimed the 2025 ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and will soon be a four-time honoree on the ODAC All-Academic Team. The two-time President’s List student is a member of Phi Eta Sigma national honor society and the Delta Society.

The Cincinnati, Ohio-native complemented her in-class academic profile with a pair of internships and several community service ventures. She was a data analytics intern with Kroger last summer and spent the previous year as a finance and data analytics intern with Dewey’s Pizza. The two-time women’s soccer team captain provided one-on-one tutoring and mentorship to her fellow students at WLU, and she volunteered with Rockbridge Area Relief Association. Zimmerman is set to begin her post-graduate career as an investment banking analyst for Wells Fargo on the mergers and acquisitions team in New York City.

Athletically, Zimmerman is a five-time All-ODAC honoree. She was named the ODAC Player of the Year for women’s soccer each of the past two seasons to highlight four all-conference laurels including three first team appointments. She was named a First Team All-American by United Soccer Coaches in 2024 and 2025 to go with a trio of USC All-Region honors. Zimmerman is fond of championships as she has lifted five ODAC trophies – three with the women’s basketball team in 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2025-26 and two more with the women’s soccer team in 2024 and 2025.

Zimmerman graduated well-placed in the WLU women’s soccer record books. She is fourth in career goals scored (42), fifth in career points (105) and single-season goals scored (17 in 2025), eighth in career assists (21), and ninth in single-season assists (9 in 2024). She is credited with 19 game-winning goals in 87 games played. On the basketball court, Zimmerman played in 100 career games and averaged 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds. She was twice named to the ODAC All-Tournament Team, a distinction she earned three times in soccer.

“At Shenandoah, I challenged myself to learn, lead, and serve with purpose,” explained Conroy in a personal statement as part of his nomination materials for the Jopson Award. “Looking back, I realize these pursuits were never independent of one another. Each value guided my development and shaped who I am today. More importantly, they prepared me for a life dedicated to serving others. As I pursue a career in medicine and service in the United States Navy as a physician, I will carry forward the lessons I learned on the field, classroom, and community. As I begin this next chapter, I will continue to look back and reflect on my experiences at Shenandoah, which have shaped who I am today and will guide my actions for years to come.”

Conroy has been the epitome of a leader throughout his time at Shenandoah, whether that be demonstrating by example on the gridiron and in pursuit of a career in medicine, or actively mentoring those on campus and in his communities.

In the classroom, Conroy graduated as a high-achieving (3.92 GPA) biochemistry major that also earned his certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) this spring. The former CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree took another step in that regard, earning the distinction of Second Team Academic All-American this year. He is soon to become a four-time member of the ODAC All-Academic Team this summer.

The Bel Air, Maryland-native augmented his academic pursuits with real world experience both in research and in the professional ranks. Since May 2024, Conroy has worked as an Ophthalmic Technician at Retina Associates, assisting with patient care to the tune of more than 1,400 hours direct contribution. He also began an internship in August 2025 as a research assistant with C. Elgans to create procedures for further research and analyze lifespan impacts in various environments.

Conroy has extensively served his communities. He has worked in health clinics, furthering his emphasis on patient care. He has also spent time as a peer mentor at Winchester-area Bass Hoover Elementary School and as a volunteer for Relay for Life. He aided his fellow SU classmates as a tutor in biology, chemistry, and physics.

On the field, Conroy was voted in as team captain his sophomore season and has flourished as the most prolific active tackler in Division III from his linebacker position. He graduated as the Division’s active leader in career total tackles (442 - SU record) and assisted tackles (230) and second in solo stops (212). He capped his career with Division III-best 147 total tackles in 2025.

In terms of awards, Conroy is well-decorated for his work between the lines. The four-time All-ODAC honoree – including a trio of first team honors – was named an All-American by both Walter Camp and the Associated Press this season. He was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation (NFF) Campbell Trophy. He was also a two-time all-region selection by D3football.com.

2026 Marjorie Berkley Award Nominees

• Hannah Zabik, Averett University (cross Country, softball)
• Riley Corcoran, Bridgewater College (basketball)
• Leah Beachy, Eastern Mennonite University (soccer)
• Anna Giannopoulou, Guilford College (basketball)
• Georgia Thompson, University of Lynchburg (softball)
• Ophelia Ladner, Roanoke College (track & field)
• Madison Short, Shenandoah University (field hockey)
• Wyette Fellton, Sweet Briar College (equestrian)
• Sarah Zimmerman, Washington and Lee University (basketball, soccer)

2026 Harry G. "Doc" Jopson Award Nominees

• Nicholas Breen, Averett University (soccer, volleyball)
• Dylan Hall, Eastern Mennonite University (baseball)
• Andres Mercedes, Guilford College (tennis)
• Walker Stebbings, Hampden-Sydney College (soccer)
• Alan Van Asch, University of Lynchburg (golf)
• Mark Samuel, Roanoke College (wrestling)
• Matt Conroy, Shenandoah University (football)
• John Santowski, Washington and Lee University (wrestling)