Kyle Douin and Zoe Barnes have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the University of Southern Maine's Top Dawg Award, celebrating top-performing male and female student-athletes for the 2025-2026 season. Douin excelled in baseball, achieving a .443 batting average and leading the team in multiple offensive categories, while Barnes dominated in track and field by winning the NCAA Division III National Championship in shot put.

By the Numbers
  • Zoe Barnes won the 2026 NCAA Division III shot put with a personal best throw of 14.84m.
  • Kyle Douin achieved a .443 batting average with 70 runs scored and 72 RBIs during the 2026 season.
State of Play
  • The Top Dawg Award has been introduced to recognize exceptional athletic performance at Southern Maine.
  • Both athletes will be honored at the 40th Annual Husky Hall of Fame Banquet during Homecoming Weekend in September 2027.
What's Next

As the Top Dawg Award gains recognition, it may attract more attention to Southern Maine's athletics, potentially increasing recruitment and support for student-athletes. The next season will reveal how Douin and Barnes' achievements inspire future athletes at the university.

Bottom Line

The recognition of Douin and Barnes as Top Dawg winners embodies the university's commitment to celebrating athletic excellence, setting a high standard for future student-athletes to aspire to. Their exceptional performances this past season highlight the ongoing legacy of Huskies athletics.