General | 7/15/2026 12:00:00 PM

OXFORD, Ohio -- The River States Conference is pleased to announce the selection of WVU Tech soccer player Julen Recalde as the 2025-26 River States Conference Male Athlete of the Year. The 2025-26 RSC Player of the Year earns the award as the top male athlete in the conference, which includes nine RSC championship sports for men.

The Athlete of the Year is selected via a vote of conference athletic directors, and comes from a pool of all Player of the Year recipients.  

Recalde is the first athlete from WVU Tech to be named the RSC's Athlete of the Year, regardless of gender. He is also the first soccer player to be so honored since 2023, when Rio Grande's Vilius Labutis was the recipient.

Recalde, a native of San Sebastian, Spain, delivered one of the most impactful freshman seasons in the nation, earning RSC Newcomer, Offensive Player, and overall Player of the Year honors. Appearing in 22 matches with 19 starts, he led the Golden Bears with 16 goals and added three assists for 35 points. Recalde recorded three game-winning goals and finished the season with 69 shots, including 44 on goal, while emerging as a key attacking presence throughout WVU Tech's postseason run.

Following the season, Recalde was also honored as a First Team All-American. WVU Tech closed the 2025 season with a 20-1-2 overall record, including a perfect 9-0 mark in River States Conference play. The Golden Bears captured the RSC Championship and advanced to the NAIA National Championship match in Orange Beach, Alabama, marking the program's first appearance on the national final stage.

Recalde is currently playing semi-professional soccer for Mississippi Brilla FC, who play in USL League Two. He has continued his brilliance there, scoring nine goals and assisting on four more in his first nine games.

RSC/KIAC MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (SINCE 2009-10)
2009-10 -- Kyle Lenn, IU Southeast -- Baseball
2010-11 -- Jazzmarr Ferguson, IU Southeast -- Men's Basketball
2011-12 -- Marcus Isaac, IU Southeast -- Men's Basketball
2012-13 -- Matt Lowe, Brescia (Ky.) -- Cross Country/Track & Field
2013-14 -- Hank Stewart, Brescia (Ky.) -- Baseball
2014-15 -- Lucas Silva, Point Park (Pa.) -- Men's Soccer
2015-16 -- Willian Paulino, Rio Grande (Ohio) -- Men's Soccer
2016-17 -- Jorge Guinovart, Rio Grande (Ohio) -- Men's Soccer
2017-18 -- Trenton Thompson, Asbury (Ky.) -- Men's Basketball
2018-19 -- Joshua Turnquest, Asbury (Ky.) -- Men's Tennis
2019-20 -- Bishop Smith, IU East -- Men's Basketball
2020-21 -- Matt Monahan, IU Southeast -- Baseball
2021-22 -- Trevor Campbell, IU Southeast, Baseball
2022-23 -- Vilius Labutis, Rio Grande, Men's Soccer
2023-24 -- Cobie Barnes, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.), Men's Basketball
2024-25 -- Tre Beard, Shawnee State (Ohio) Men's Basketball
2025-26 -- Julen Recalde, WVU Tech (W.V.) Men's Soccer