The student-athletes of the Class of 2026 are truly a class above. They have brought home Mission League championships, CIF titles and countless memorable moments. Who can forget volleyball senior Blake Fahlbusch’s perfect set from the floor of the back court? Or baseball senior Magnus Mayer’s clutch walk-off winner in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Chaminade?
We celebrate all of our senior athletes this year for their accomplishments and contributions to Loyola Athletics. The Loyalist is proud to highlight the 43 student-athletes who have committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. These Cubs will be represented in 11 different sports at 35 colleges across 18 conferences. They will be competing in baseball (9), basketball (2), football (6), golf (2), lacrosse (6), rugby (3), soccer (2), swimming (1), volleyball (4), track and field (5) and water polo (3) everywhere from the Big Ten to the Ivy League.
The Class of 2026 has helped lead one of Loyola’s strongest athletic years. Lacrosse became the first back-to-back champion in CIF-SS lacrosse history and retained the top spot in the West region, according to USA Lacrosse Magazine. Golf captured its 16th straight Mission League championship, led by senior Carter Gaede, who earned League MVP honors. Track and field celebrated its highest team finish ever at the CIF Division I meet. Senior commits Jayden Davis, Atticus Li and Ejam Yohannes have accounted for eight new school records this season in what has been one of the strongest track years in Loyola history.
Water polo brought home the CIF-SS Division I championship, the program’s second Division I title in the last five years, with senior John Cowles earning CIF Division I Player of the Year honors.
These impressive accolades and titles clearly reflect the dominance of Loyola Athletics, but behind every commit is a personal story. The phrase “student-athlete” is hyphenated for a reason. It represents two identities and two different skill sets. While most people like to focus on stats, wins and highlights, rising to the next level takes more than athletic talent alone. These seniors have also worked hard in the classroom to earn their opportunities to compete in college.
Their success has taken discipline, academic focus and support from the people behind the scenes. For Northwestern golf commit Carter Gaede, the challenge of the game is what makes it special.
“What I love most about golf is that it constantly challenges you mentally and physically,” Gaede said. “No matter how well you’re playing, there’s always something to improve.” That resilience will continue to guide him as he prepares for the next leap. Gaede said he is most excited “to compete against elite players, represent Northwestern University and make bonds with my teammates that will last a lifetime.”
University of Virginia basketball commit and captain Quincy Watson also emphasized the importance of Loyola’s team culture. “Playing at Loyola is special because we have a program with a strong legacy and good culture,” Watson said. “All the time we have spent grinding in the weight room and on the court has given us the opportunity to come together and unite as a crew.”
Grinnell basketball commit Quinn Campbell shared a similar feeling about the friendships he built. “Playing at Loyola has been really special to me because I’ve met people who I never would have talked to if it weren’t for basketball and now I consider all of my teammates as friends,” Campbell said.
Emerson soccer commit Kian Fahid emphasized that a team is bigger than the players on the roster. Fahid credited his coaches, his teammates and the people behind the scenes, saying that “none of what we do could be possible without their work.” He also highlighted the sacrifices that helped him reach the college level. “From driving me to the 6 a.m. practices, to flying all across the country for camps, visits and tours, my parents and coaches have sacrificed a lot for my dreams to come true,” Fahid said.
As these 35 Cubs prepare to graduate and take the next step in their athletic careers, they leave behind more than statistics, records and championships. They leave behind a standard for the younger athletes who will follow them. Watson’s advice to those athletes is simple: “Be coachable,” Watson said. “It is one of the best qualities that you can have as a player and it is the best way to grow both on and off the court.”
Gaede offered a similar reminder about staying steady through the highs and lows of a long season. “Stay patient and trust the process,” Gaede said. “There are going to be ups and downs, but consistency and work ethic matter more than one bad tournament or round. Also, enjoy the experience because it goes by fast.”
For the graduating seniors, that experience has gone by quickly, but their impact will last. They leave Loyola with championships, memories and a legacy that future Cubs will continue to build on. Thank you for representing Loyola with great pride. Go Cubs!
