Charest and Nangle Selected as Regis College Nominees for GNAC Athlete of the Year Awards
WESTON, Mass. – Recent Regis College graduates Jonnie Charest '26 and John Nangle '26 have been selected as the institution's nominees for the 2026 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Woman of the Year and Man of the Year awards.
Each GNAC member institution nominates one female and one male student-athlete for the annual honors, which recognize graduating seniors who have distinguished themselves through excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and community service. Modeled after the former NCAA Woman of the Year and NCAA Man of the Year awards, the GNAC honors celebrate student-athletes whose impact extends well beyond their athletic accomplishments. The conference's 2026 Woman of the Year and Man of the Year recipients will be announced on Tuesday, July 28.
Charest and Nangle were recently recognized with the Regis-Casserly Award, the highest honor presented annually by Regis College Athletics to the top graduating female and male student-athletes.
Charest graduated from Regis as an Honors Program student with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and minors in Criminal Justice and Business Management. A seven-time Dean's List honoree, she distinguished herself through academic excellence while making a significant impact across campus and in the community.
A dedicated leader, Charest served as an orientation leader, campus tour guide, and communications coordinator for The Hidden Opponent, helping promote mental health awareness among student-athletes. Her commitment to service resulted in more than 500 hours of community engagement, earning both the Presidential Service Award and the Regis College Pillar of the Community Award. She was also recognized for her leadership and advocacy efforts with the Ronald Reagan Leadership Medal and a first-place finish in the Social Justice Symposium Thesis Slam.
As a captain of the cross country and track & field programs, Charest provided leadership and mentorship to her teammates while helping shape the culture of the Pride programs. A two-time GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team selection, she consistently exemplified integrity, respect, and sportsmanship throughout her collegiate career. She concluded her athletic career with a personal-best performance at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships, posting a 6K time of 26:55 and achieving her long-standing goal of breaking the 27-minute barrier.
Nangle graduated with a degree in Biomedical Engineering while compiling an impressive 3.988 cumulative grade point average. Throughout his time at Regis, he balanced a rigorous academic schedule with valuable hands-on experience in the field, including internships and professional opportunities with industry-leading organizations such as Moderna, Ultragenyx, and New England Biolabs. He also contributed to ovarian cancer detection research while serving the Regis community as a resident assistant, physics tutor, and campus tour guide.
A captain of the men's volleyball team, Nangle exemplified leadership both on and off the court. He represented the Pride on the GNAC Sportsmanship Team and helped set the standard for the program through his commitment, preparation, and sportsmanship. During his senior season, he led Regis with 75 total blocks and concluded his career as the program's all-time leader in matches played (115). He also ranks second in program history in blocks (253), third in service aces (92), and fifth in kills (592).
Beyond his academic and athletic achievements, Nangle dedicated himself to serving others through volunteer work with organizations such as Cradles to Crayons and by mentoring young athletes as a coach, further demonstrating the leadership and community engagement that define the GNAC Man of the Year award.
The GNAC Woman of the Year and Man of the Year awards celebrate student-athletes whose achievements extend far beyond competition, and Charest and Nangle exemplify the values of academic excellence, athletic achievement, leadership, and service that define the Regis College student-athlete experience.