Senior night for student athletes is a touching ritual for many. It’s a recognition of individuals in their final year, a moment where the spotlight is on them and the people they choose to walk with.
The celebrations are filled with cheers, love and joy. For some, this is the moment when it all sinks in — that melancholic feeling, realizing that the journey is almost at an end. It’s the rush of memories from their years on the field and in the classroom, and the bittersweet acceptance that a new chapter has arrived sooner than they imagined.
Gameday
On Sept. 20, Newman University held its senior night for the women’s soccer team. Thirteen Jets were honored before kickoff against Southern Nazarene University, celebrating all that they have accomplished throughout their time in college.
The 2025-26 season marks head coach Dylan Gruntzel’s fourth leading the Jets. Several senior teammates have been guided entirely under Gruntzel’s tenure.
Upon reflection of his time with the seniors, he said, “The best part is seeing them grow up into amazing young women who will be amazing in the world. Sometimes as athletes, we think we are here just to grow as a soccer player, when in reality, our growth as a person is what carries a bigger impact.”
Gruntzel’s one word to describe the soon-to-be graduates: “caring.”
“The group has gone through team struggles and their own, but I loved how they cared for everyone around them and could help find solutions or guidance. I believe the world needs more good people, and this class will be great for society. I cannot wait to see their impact on this world,” he said.
Meet the senior women
Gruntzel challenges each class to leave it better than when they found it. The women’s class of 2026 achieved just that.
“It’s easy to get caught up in wins and losses, but compared to where the program was four years ago to where it is now, the program has developed in a lot of ways, and it started with this group,” said Gruntzel.
Carla Apodaca: The goalkeeper who wore number 0 is from Chihuahua, Mexico, and is majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-medicine. Upon graduation, she plans to earn her master’s in biomedical science. Her favorite college accomplishment was finding her path in medical science. Her favorite memory on the field was winning 4-1 against William Jewell College at the beginning of this season. Apodaca was escorted on senior night by her host mom, Monica Lorg.
Maylani Birckbichler: The versatile midfielder who wore number 80 is from Lantana, Texas, and is majoring in biology. Upon graduation, she plans to go to optometry school. Her favorite college accomplishment was completing biochemistry, and her favorite memory at Newman was the talent show her freshman year. Birckbichler was escorted on senior night by her mom, Olivia, her dad, Scott, and brother, Hunter.
Cameron Busby: The midfielder who wore number 8 is from Wichita, Kansas, and is majoring in early childhood education unified. Upon graduation, she plans to work as a kindergarten teacher. Her favorite college accomplishment was graduating with her bachelor’s degree in just two years. Her best memories from Newman were repeatedly sleeping in her teammates Lexi Bauer’s and Jayla Erpelding’s dorm room while sharing a blow-up mattress with Taryn Migdal, who sang to them all night long. Busby was escorted by her mom and dad, Julia and Matthew Busby.
Brooke DeAngelis: The defender who wore number 22 is from Olathe, Kansas, and is majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-physical therapy. Upon graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to earn her doctorate in physical therapy. DeAngelis’ favorite accomplishment was making the MIAA Academic Honor Roll each year. Her best memory is making close friends with her teammates. She was escorted by her mom and dad, Michelle and Luca DeAngelis.
Makayla Deloney: The defender who wore number 42 is from Edmond, Oklahoma, and is majoring in diagnostic medical sonography. Upon graduation, she plans to become a pediatric vascular ultrasound technician. Deloney’s favorite accomplishment was maintaining a 3.5 GPA, and her best memories were all the practices and games with her teammates, sharing laughter and having fun. She was escorted by her mom, dad, grandmother, stepmother, godfather and godbrother on senior night.
Yessica Dozal: The defender who wore number 20 is from Dodge City, Kansas, and is majoring in radiology technology. Upon graduation, she plans to move to Kansas City to pursue her career. Her favorite accomplishment was overcoming injury and the thrill of stepping foot onto the field again. Dozal’s best memories were the first days at Newman, meeting everyone and building friendships. She was escorted by her mom, dad and older sister.
Logan Riley: The defender who wore number 19 is from Derby, Kansas, and is majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-medicine. Upon graduation, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. Riley’s favorite accomplishment was being an All-District scholar in her first year at Newman. Her best memory was the game against Washburn University in the 2024-25 season because she believes that was the game where they came together and played their best. Riley was escorted by her mom, grandma, grandpa and boyfriend.
Delphine Dzidinyo Sosu: The charismatic forward who wore the number 10 is from Accra, Ghana, and is in the Master of Social Work program. Upon graduation, she plans to play professional soccer. Her favorite accomplishments were building relationships with instructors, teammates and her kittens. Her best memories at Newman were working on campus over summer break with her Bahamian sisters, Tate Cuffy and Travia Smith, as well as other colleagues, such as Apodaca, Colby Schreiner and role model, friend and boss Ian Lecki. On senior night, Sosu was escorted by Smith, Cuffy, Bauer, Karen Noel, Vanessa Rials and Yelando Johnson.
Ariana Sweitzer: Known commonly as AJ, the attacker who wore the number 9 is from Las Vegas and is majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-veterinary science. Upon graduation, she plans to attend veterinary school. AJ’s favorite accomplishment was being awarded the Claudine Axman Award for demonstrating superior academic performance and leadership in the community and service to the biology department. Her best memory was making friendships for life. Sweitzer was escorted by her mom and dad, Anila and Sean.
Morgan Todd: The forward, famous for her problematic, acrobatic throw-ins, wore the number 3 and is from Brighton, Colorado. Todd is an elementary education major and she plans to pursue her teaching career in Omaha upon graduation. Todd’s favorite accomplishment was the relationships formed with teammates and coaches. Her best memory was when their former athletic trainer secretly took them to Raising Cane’s. She was escorted by her mom, dad, brother and two sisters.
Kaylyn Truong: The forward who wore the number 4 is from Wichita and is majoring in organizational leadership. Upon graduation, she plans to earn her master’s degree or work in human resources. Troung’s favorite accomplishment was making the Dean’s List every year. Her best memory came on the road during an away game in Missouri, when teammates Todd and Sosu were practicing their goal celebrations in the hotel room. Truong was escorted on senior night by her mom, dad and brother.
Abigail Welch: The defender who wore the number 12 is from Wichita and is majoring in nursing. Upon graduation, she plans to stay in college to become a nurse practitioner for a heartfelt purpose — to help people like her sister who live with heart conditions. Welch’s favorite accomplishment is making it into the nursing program. Her best memory is a road trip to Colorado during her sophomore year — walking around the Garden of the Gods and visiting a frozen yogurt store that evening. She was escorted by her father, brother and two sisters.
Harlie Wilson: The defender who wore the number 30 is from Hutchinson, Kansas, and is majoring in criminal justice. Upon graduation, she plans to earn her master’s degree in social work, progressing into work as a child protective services social worker. Wilson’s favorite accomplishment was the journey back to the pitch after suffering an ACL tear, showing resilience and determination by never giving up on herself. Her best memory is all the friendships formed throughout her time at Newman. Wilson was escorted by her mom, Michelle, and father, Danny.
Newman University and its record-breaking men’s soccer team
On Oct. 11, the Newman men’s soccer team hosted Harding University during the Newman Jets senior night.
A frantic, entertaining, titanic battle saw three red cards and eight yellow cards, ending in a share for the points. In the aftermath of a dog fight, the Jets had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Yohsuke Ono smashed home an equalizer in the 79th minute for nine-man Newman.
Before the midst of war on the soccer field, however, 18 players from the class of 2026 were celebrated for their efforts at Newman University.
The 2025-26 season marks head coach Victor Domingues’ third year leading the Jets. Several of the seniors this year have been coached by Domingues throughout all their time at college — some even following him to Newman from his previous institution.
Domingues praised his seniors, saying, “Seeing them grow from their first year into leaders who will soon be graduates has been amazing. The underclassmen now look up to these seniors because they lead by example. They’re in our leadership group, doing all the work that no one usually wants to do — carry, clean, pick up equipment.”
He continued, “All of that, combined with top attitude, sets a good example for the younger players. That is really important because it contributes heavily to the success of Newman men’s soccer, enabling us to reach new heights, continue to break records, and contribute to the culture of chasing excellence.”
He emphasized his players’ daily discipline and determination — even when it may be challenging to excel.
“It shows their maturity to focus on one day or game at a time, and it has been an absolute pleasure watching them grow, compete and achieve their individual and team goals,” said Domingues.
Meet the senior men
Matei Bostaca: Wearing number 38, the defender from London is majoring in business. He was escorted by his teammates and plans to pursue his Master of Business Administration degree upon graduation.
Sergio Morales Diaz: A goalkeeper from Wichita, Diaz wore number 33 and is majoring in business administration. Upon graduation, he wants to see where God leads him, hopefully growing his real estate business and starting a new investment company. Diaz was escorted by family members Sergio, Maria, Xitlalik and Elmer.
Brandon Garcia: A forward from Santa Barbara, California, Garcia is majoring in sociology with a minor in criminal justice. His favorite accomplishment was earning a 4.0 GPA. He wore number 20 in his senior season.
Gael Gonzalez: The student assistant coach for the 2025-2026 season, Gonzalez is from Veracruz, Mexico, and is majoring in business data analytics. His favorite accomplishment was earning an All-GAC honorable mention. Upon graduation, he plans to get his master’s degree and continue playing soccer.
Jody Greene: Wearing number 22, the defender from Saint George, Barbados, is majoring in sports media and promotion. His favorite memories were the six versus six tournaments in practice. Upon graduation, Greene plans to excel in life. He was escorted on senior night by his girlfriend, Dezi.
Gabriel Dias Juliani: Wearing number 9, this target man from Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil, is majoring in sports media and promotion. Juliani said his most memorable moment was his hat trick against Oklahoma Christian University. He was escorted by his host family, Grant and Leslie.
Gustavo Dias Juliaini: The number 10 from Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil, is also majoring in sports media and promotion. Upon graduation, he plans to enter coaching as a graduate assistant pursuing a master’s degree. He is most proud of breaking the single-season assists record, accumulating 10. He was escorted by his host family, Jenny, Luke and Pinky.
Reuben Kester: A midfielder out of Milton Keynes, England, Kester is working toward his master’s in business administration. Upon graduation, he plans to become a college soccer coach. His favorite accomplishment was scoring his first goal and wearing number 13 for the Jets. Kester was escorted by his friend, Toby, and wife, Mikayla.
Manasse Matala: The goalkeeper who wore number 98 is from Montpellier, France. Matala is majoring in nursing and respiratory therapy. His most memorable moment was Newman’s 1-0 win against Fort Hays State University. Upon graduation, Matala will work as a respiratory therapist at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
Kei Nagakura: The midfielder from Kamakura, Japan, is majoring in computer science. Nagakura, who wore the number 11, plans to pursue an internship or master’s degree upon graduation. Nagakura’s favorite memory was registering a goal and an assist in the match against his former team. He was escorted by his teammates, Schroder and Borges.
Bilal Olayiwola: A defender from Free Town, Sierra Leone, Olayiwola is working toward a master’s degree in the data science program. The number 27 said his favorite memory was singing on the bus on his first away trip to Midwestern University. Olayiwola was escorted by his friends, and plans to travel and continue playing soccer upon graduation.
Tahj Reid: Wearing number 39, the forward from Belize is majoring in interdisciplinary studies. His favorite times were spent with teammates — training, gym sessions and hanging out. Upon graduation, Reid wants to stay in the U.S. and work.
Daichi Saito: The number 18 midfielder from Sagamihara, Japan, is majoring in sports communication. His favorite memories are celebrating the wins with his teammates. He was escorted by his roommates and wants to continue his soccer career upon graduation.
Eduardo Rifisch Dos Santos: The left back from Panambi, Brazil, majored in business management. Upon graduation, his plans are to build a family with his girlfriend, Sofia. His favorite accomplishment was the goal he scored in the Jets conference opener this season. During his senior season, Dos Santos wore the number 7 jersey.
Cameron Schroder: A midfielder from Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada, Schroder majored in history with a minor in business. Upon graduation, he plans to attend law school back home. Schroder was escorted by his stepdad and mother, and his favorite accomplishment was helping the team make the playoffs for the first time in the Division II era. During his senior season, Schroder wore the number 8 jersey.
Matthew Strezos: A defender from Toronto, Canada, Strezos is majoring in data analytics. Upon graduation, the number 28 plans to travel. Strezos was escorted by friends.
Jonathan Daniel Garcia Vega: A defender from Madrid, Vega majored in business management and marketing. Upon graduation, he plans to pursue his business ideas. His most memorable moment was being part of a generation of players that transformed the soccer program. Vega was escorted by his father, Jonathan.
Gibran Villalobos: Villalobos, a defender from Guadalajara, Mexico, majored in business administration. Escorted by his mom, dad, brother and girlfriend, he plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduation. His best accomplishment came last season when he made the All-GAC Honorable Mention team. He wore the number 3 jersey in his senior season.
Looking forward
A student-athlete’s journey through college is a great representation and preparation for life. Through the highs, the lows and everything in between, an athlete’s time is shaped by mentors, teammates, coaches, professors, family and friends.
We thank the entire soccer class of 2026 for their efforts on and off the field, hoping for prosperity and an abundance of good faith in their future endeavors.
Once a Newman Jet, always a Newman Jet.
Join the Jet nation; apply to Newman University today
Newman University is a Catholic university named for Saint John Henry Newman and founded by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for the purpose of empowering graduates to transform society.
