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2026 Summit Awards
Each year, the Summit Awards celebrate the athletes, coaches, and moments that define professional paintball. These honors recognize excellence across every aspect of the game—from leadership and clutch performances to breakout stars and unforgettable matches.
Below you’ll find the full list of award categories and their definitions, as well as the voting form where the community helps decide this year’s winners. Join us in honoring the best of the best as we look back on an incredible season.
Be there with the best in the game on March 19th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida for the 2026 Awards!
NXL Pro Award Nominees
Player of the Year
The most complete, dominant, & impactful player of the entire season.
- Johnathan Chavez, PaintballFIT
- Konstantin Fedorov, TonTonFSU
- Tyler Harmon, Edmonton Impact
- Kirill Prihidni, Red Legion
- Scott Stewart, PaintballFIT
Offensive Player of the Year
Given to the top attacker who consistently created pressure & eliminations.
- Johnathan Chavez, PaintballFIT
- Konstantin Fedorov, TonTonFSU
- Axel Gaudin, TonTonFSU
- Pavel Karsliev, Red Legion
- Chris Schehr, Tampa Bay Damage
Defensive Player of the Year
Honors the player who shut down zones, held lines & made key stops.
- TJ Danner, San Antonio X-Factor
- Jason Edwards, Tampa Bay Damage
- Thomas Guest, Los Angelas Ironmen
- Marcello Margott, Tampa Bay Damage
- Trent Mason, PaintballFIT
Dorito Player of the Year
Recognizes the top player on the Dorito side who controlled & attacked effectively.
- Johnathan Chavez, PaintballFIT
- Konstantin Fedorov, TonTonFSU
- Brandon Cornell, Edmonton Impact
- Pavel Karsliev, Red Legion
- Chris Schehr, Tampa Bay Damage
Snake Player of the Year
Awarded to the standout performer dominating the Snake all season.
- Alexander Berdnikov, Red Legion
- Billy Bernacchia, San Antonio X-Factor
- Axel Gaudin, TonTonFSU
- Scott Stewart, PaintballFIT
- Hugo Verhaeghe, TonTonFSU
Flex Player of the Year
For the most versatile athlete who excelled in multiple roles.
- Demetrius Ninios, San Antonio X-Factor
- Justin Rabackoff, Red Legion
- Nathan Schroeder, Seattle Uprising
- Raney Stanczak, Edmonton Impact
- Blake Yarber, San Diego Dynasty
Breakout Player of the Year
Given to a player who made a major leap & became a true difference-maker.
- Ceelos Cortes, San Antonio X-Factor
- Mark Frans, TonTonFSU
- Alec Holland, Seattle Uprising
- Jacob Sebaugh, PaintballFIT
- Hugo Verhaeghe, TonTonFSU
Breakout Team of the Year
The team that rose fastest & exceeded
expectations.
- Baltimore Arsenal
- Royal City Seadogs
- Seattle Uprising
- TonTon FSU
Rookie of the Year
Honors the top first-year pro who made an immediate impact.
- Dilon Rizzardo, Royal City Seadogs
- Andres Saldana, Houston Heat
- Shayne Salmon, Royal City Seadogs
- Jacob Sebaugh, PaintballFIT
- Hugo Verhaeghe, TonTon FSU
Coach of the Year
Awarded to the coach who led, prepared, & elevated their team the best.
- Dave Bains, Edmonton Impact
- Ryan Brand, San Antonio X-Factor
- Kevin Bredthauer, Tampa Bay Damage
- Casey Harris, PaintballFIT
- Pascal Hausser, TonTonFSU
Divisional X-Ball Team of the Year
The top-performing and most consistent divisional X-Ball team of the season.
- Jungle Cats
- Noobies
- NR Factory
- Gunnerz
- Protocol D5
WNXL Pro Award Nominees
Player of the Year
The most dominant, consistent, & impactful player in the WNXL this season.
- Andreina Blanco, The Heroines
- Bianca Fiz, Suricatos
- Roxy Montano, Femmes Fatale
- Daniela Rojas, The Heroines
- Angelina Tejeda, Femmes Fatale
Offensive Player of the Year
Awarded to the league’s top attacker who drove pressure & created key eliminations.
- Andreina Blanco, The Heroines
- Roxy Montano, Femmes Fatale
- Angelina Tejeda, Femmes Fatale
- Alicia Valdivia , The Heroines
- Paige Vasser, Tiki's Ohana
Defensive Player of the Year
Given to the player who locked down zones, stopped pushes, & anchored points.
- Lysette Barnes, Femmes Fatale
- Nicole Gates, Dallas Vibe
- Heather Groezinger, Femmes Fatale
- Katie Kelley, The Heroines
- Krista Titus, The Heroines
Dorito Player of the Year
Honors the top performer on the Dorito side who controlled, attacked, & delivered
- Corinne Baird, Dallas Vibe
- Andreina Blanco, The Heroines
- Isabella Elezaj, New Jeresy High Rollers
- Casey Erb, Femmes Fatale
- Yei Rojas Suricatos
Snake Player of the Year
Recognizes the standout athlete who consistently excelled in the Snake.
- Gerkary Blanco, The Heroines
- Vayda Dux, New Jersey High Rollers
- Roxy Montano, Femmes Fatale
- Cloe Serino, Dallas Vibe
- Angelina Tejeda, Femmes Fatale
Flex Player of the Year
For the most versatile player able to dominate in multiple positions.
- Katie Kelley, The Heroines
- Daniela Rojas, The Heroines
- Brooklyn Stellato, The Heroines
- Alicia Valdivia, The Heroines
- Paige Vasser, Tiki's Ohana
Breakout Player of the Year
Awarded to a returning player who made a major leap & became a key difference-maker.
- Bianca Fiz, Suricatos
- Hadley Korsman, Dallas Vibe
- Erin Scott, Northern Lights
- Paige Vasser, Tiki's Ohana
- Dallas Whitright, Femmes Fatale
Breakout Team of the Year
The team that rose the fastest, exceeded expectations, & made a big season jump.
- Baltimore Nevermores
- The Immortal Angels
- San Francisco Sirens
- Suricatos
- Femmes Fatale
Rookie of the Year
Given to the top first-year WNXL athlete who made an immediate impact.
- Cassidy Bernaski, Northern Lights
- Carly Colamesta, NJ High Rollers
- Brittany Reid, Baltimore Nevermores
- Cloe Serino, Dallas Vibe
- Morgan Whipple, Tiki's Ohana
Coach of the Year
Honors the coach whose leadership, strategy, & preparation elevated their team.
- Alex Del Mar, Baltimore Nevermores
- Daniel Lee, Femmes Fatale
- Cole Scott, Northern Lights
- Anthony Vitale, The Heroines
Media Award Nominees
Innovator of the Year
For the creator or media team pushing boundaries with new ideas, formats, or tech.
Videographer of the Year
Recognizes the videographer who produced consistently outstanding work all year.
- Aaron Gieseke
- Brian Wolfe
- Matt Clayton
- Dylan Fout
- Josh Lenhart
- Enrique Gonzalez
- George Fava
- Benjamin Plouffe
- Matt Dunn
- Brian Wolfe
Photographer of the Year
Honors the photographer with the
strongest overall portfolio & season impact.
- KnowHope Photos
- Philip Swindall
- Nigel Desouza
- David Hauck
- Dan Shelley
Podcast of the Year
Awarded to the top paintball podcast for content quality, consistency, & community value.
- In The Pits Podcast
- Play the Game Podcast
- Shellda Podcast
- Spick & Span Show
- The Coaches Show
Paintball Content Creator of the Year
Recognizes the creator whose personality, influence & presence made the biggest impact.
- Matt the Gym Rat
- Shellda
- Willballforsoup
- Mr. H 'Mark Kressin'
- Wolf Critchlow
Documentary of the Year
the best long-form storytelling piece covering players, teams or the sport.
- All That Matters, Mikko Huttunen/Hormesis Productions
- TonTon Forever, George Fava/Planet Eclipse
- Road to a Championship: X-Factor vs. Impact, MLPB+
- Heroines* FOREVER, Lori Miller & Jen Fulk/Heroines
- Preferred Mob - A Paintball Series, Joe Pacenka & Ethan Rheault/PB Entertainment
Video of the Year
warded to the most impactful or memorable video of the year.
- NXL World Cup 2025 Highlight, Facefull - Ludo & Olivia Roux
- FEEL IT, George Fava
- REALITY - NXL Texas 2025, Enrique Gonzalez
- NXL Midwest Open | Pro Highlights, Nick Champion
- The Prototype That Finally Beat A Paintball Dynasty,
Paintball Ruined My Life
Photo of the Year
Given to the most striking or iconic photo of the year.
John McGloughlin
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Nigel Desouza
Weronika Krzeminska
Aaron Gieseke
Dan Shelley
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