Pittsburgh, Pa. – A total of five student-athletes from Duquesne University athletics garnered a 2025-26 All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Earning the 2025-26 honor for the Dukes are
Christian Cupp (men's track & field),
Antonio Epps (football),
Ariel Helm (volleyball),
Eva Leatherman (women's track & field) and
Alex Williams (men's basketball).
The NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award recognizes student-athletes and their dedication to strength and conditioning. Nominations are submitted via the strength & conditioning head coach and are based on the individual's determination to improve in athletics, maintain academic performance and serve as a role model for all student-athletes.
A closer look at each of the five Dukes honored …
Christian Cupp (Track & Field)
Junior | Sprints, Jumps
Shaker Heights, Ohio / Saint Ignatius
"Christian has been an exceptional student-athlete for our track and field program," said Sports Performance Coach Chris Gilman. "He is a dedicated leader both on the track and in the classroom, consistently setting the standard for those around him. His strong work ethic in the weight room has allowed him to develop into a top competitor in the decathlon, demonstrating discipline, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in every aspect of his performance."
Antonio Epps (Football)
Redshirt Senior | Defensive Back
Liberty Borough, Pa. / South Allegheny
"Leadership, development, and toughness are the words that come to mind when describing Antonio," said Director of Sports Performance
Anthony Longo. "Antonio arrived at Duquesne in need of maturation and consistency. His final three years in the program proved that he found that and a whole lot more. He developed into an outstanding performer in the classroom, weight room and on the football field. He matured into a leader that his coaches and teammates could depend on and committed himself to the weight room and became someone I could trust. He was voted as a team captain for his final two seasons, while earning first team all-conference honors in each of those seasons. He became the backbone of the defense, the face of our program and someone everyone could count on. His ability to relate to his teammates and still hold them accountable is to be admired. It is my privilege to have coached Antonio and to nominate him for this honor."
Ariel Helm (Volleyball)
Senior | Middle Blocker
Indianapolis, Ind. / Lawrence North
"Ariel completed a successful volleyball career at Duquesne University and understood the importance of strength training by displaying it through her commitment to the weight room," said Sports Performance Coach
Liz Lee. "She was consistently one of the top performers in strength tests every year. Her performance in the weight room successfully transferred to the court, as she leaves Duquesne as the program's all-time leader with 441 blocks. In her senior year, she led the Dukes in rejections 15 times and compiled a team-high 121 total blocks. Helm also delivered a career-best 246 kills during her final season, finishing her standout career with 668 kills overall. Her 121 rejections ranked fifth in the Atlantic 10 Conference, while her 1.01 blocks per set placed her among the league's top 10."
Eva Leatherman (Track & Field)
Senior | Multis
Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle
"Eva has demonstrated an outstanding work ethic over the past four years," said Gilman. "She has been consistent and disciplined in the weight room, and that dedication has translated directly into improved performance on the track. Beyond her individual achievements, Eva's positivity and natural leadership have elevated those around her, inspiring her teammates to push themselves and strive for excellence."
Alex Williams (Men's Basketball)
Redshirt Senior | Forward
Dayton, Ohio / Archbishop Moeller (Furman)
"When
Alex Williams arrived at Duquesne University, he was working to overcome a serious foot injury that had sidelined him for an entire year," said Senior Associate Athletic Director
John Henderson. "Caught between programs during his recovery, he was unable to access consistent rehabilitation and structured training. As a result, he arrived on campus having gained weight, lost strength and facing a difficult road back to competitive form. After an initial attempt to return, Alex experienced another setback that ultimately required a medical redshirt. For many athletes, this would have been a breaking point. Instead of giving in to frustration, Alex made the decision to take full control of his future.
"He committed himself completely to a comprehensive strength and conditioning and rehabilitation plan. His dedication was exceptional. Alex embraced a transformational strength program, adhered strictly to a monitored nutrition plan, completed daily rehabilitation sessions, attended numerous physician appointments and added extra conditioning work on his own. He consistently went above and beyond expectations. The results were remarkable. Alex lost 43 pounds, rebuilt his strength and developed a physically dominant presence. His perseverance paid off — he earned starts in several games and delivered impactful performances at a crucial point in the season, helping propel his team up the standings. What stands out most is Alex's attitude. He trusted the process, believed in his coaches, trainers and medical staff, and never allowed adversity to define him. His resilience, work ethic and professionalism make him a pleasure to coach and a powerful example of what commitment and determination can achieve."
About the National Strength & Conditioning Association
Founded in 1978, The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a nonprofit association dedicated to advancing 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. The NSCA community is composed of more than 60,000 members and certified professionals throughout the world who further industry standards as researchers, educators, strength and conditioning coaches, performance and sport scientists, personal trainers, tactical professionals, and other related roles. For more information on the 2025-26 All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Awards, please visit
nsca.com/All-American.
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