COLORADO SPRINGS – Swarthmore College had three student-athletes named as a 2026 All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award recipient by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Emma Duffield (field hockey),
Sam Palmer (men's lacrosse), and
Ryan Pretzer (men's lacrosse) were recognized for their athletic accomplishments and dedication to strength and conditioning.
"Emma is the definition of what it means to be a leader by example," said
Tara Griffiths, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at Swarthmore. "Throughout her career, she has worked diligently to be one of the best in the weight room and on the field. Her work ethic is second to none and she is a key component of her team's culture and success."
"Sam is a relentlessly hard worker," continued Griffiths. "The dedication and energy he brings to each training session is truly something to be admired. He is one of the team's strongest athletes in both physicality and character. Sam has spent his career dedicating himself to the process for the betterment of himself and the team."
"Ryan is a leader for his teammates in every training session," concluded Griffiths. "His dedication to the team is something to be truly admired. He is one of the team's strongest and fastest athletes and it can all be attributed to his strong work ethic and dedication. He leads through action and holds himself to an incredibly high standard. The work he has done to maintain a strong, team-centered approach in the weight room never goes unnoticed."
Founded in 1978, the NSCA is a nonprofit association dedicated to advancing the strength and conditioning and related sport science professions around the world. The NSCA exists to empower a community of professionals to maximize their impact through disseminating evidence-based knowledge and its practical application by offering industry-leading certifications, research journals, career development services, networking opportunities, and continuing education.
