SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The 2026 Golden Dome Awards show was held prior to graduation, marking a beautiful send-off for several student-athletes and a look back at their respective 2025-26 seasons. At the event, nine seniors were presented with the Kanaley award – one of the most prestigious honors bestowed by the university.
Amongst this year’s award winners were: Cailey Dockery (Volleyball), Sebastian Dominko (Men’s Tennis), Will Donovan (Men’s Lacrosse), Dillon Edge (Swim & Dive), Jonathan Hamilton-Meikle (Fencing), Rylie Hanford (Women’s Tennis), Micaela Kastor (Softball), Leah Klenke (Women’s Soccer), and Aamil Wagner (Football).
The Kanaley Award has been presented each year since 1927 to senior monogram athletes who have been most exemplary as both students and leaders. The award is named in honor of Byron V. Kanaley, a 1904 Notre Dame graduate who was a member of the Irish baseball team as an undergraduate. Kanaley went on to a successful banking career in Chicago and served the University as a lay trustee from 1915 until his death in 1960.
Cailey Dockery – Volleyball
Dockery played in all 28 matches during her senior campaign, logging a career high in both digs (179) and assists (37). Over her four-year Irish career, Dockery averaged 1.7 digs over 106 matches. Dockery also excelled off the court with her four-time All-ACC Academic Team status.
Sebastian Dominko – Men’s Tennis
Dominko put together one of the most complete careers all-time in the men’s tennis program. A three-time All-American, the Slovenian compiled 85 singles wins and 71 doubles victories. He was a four-time All-ACC honoree in both singles and doubles; plus, he was the first ACC Player of the Year (2025) in program history.
This past fall, Dominko became the third Notre Dame men’s tennis player all-time to qualify for four straight NCAA Singles Championships. Furthermore, Dominko became the first seven-time NCAA individual championship qualifier (singles & doubles) in the history of Notre Dame Tennis.
Will Donovan – Men’s Lacrosse
A four-time All-American and four-time All-ACC selection who has played in 61 games, recording 122 ground balls, three goals, four assists and 58 caused turnovers. A three-time member of the All-ACC Academic Team, Will has excelled both on the field and in the classroom.
Currently, Donovan and the Fighting Irish are heading to Championship weekend yet again. Donvan has been a menace to opposing attacks this season, recording 15 caused turnovers and 38 ground balls.
Dillon Edge – Swim & Dive
Edge was named captain ahead of the 2025-26 season, in which he made two finals at the ACC Championships. In 2024, the Ohioan was an NCAA qualifier in the 800 free relay. Edge has etched his name in the record books, ranking second in program history in the 200 IM (1:45.43) and sixth in the 200 Fly (1:43.75). In addition, he was a three-time ACC All-Academic Team selection.
Jonathan Hamilton-Meikle – Fencing
Hamilton-Meikle posted a 29-7 record during his senior year, helping the Irish men claim the 2026 NCAA Men’s Fencing Championship on home soil in the Joyce Center back in March. Hamilton-Meikle was a two-time All-American and was on the All-ACC Academic Team multiple times throughout his career. Ultimately, he was a three-time National Champion.
Rylie Hanford – Women’s Tennis
Hanford produced an 11-9 dual record this past spring in singles, while tallying a 14-7 record in doubles. The Ohio native was ranked 69th in doubles before the final ITA poll. The year prior, Hanford led the team in singles dual wins with 18.
The year was highlighted by a great three-round run in the ACC Tournament and a second-round berth in the NCAA Tournament. In fact, Hanford’s senior class made the NCAA Tournament all four years on campus. Hanford also got it done off the court, earning 2026 CSC Academic All-District Team & 2025 ACC All-Academic Team.
Micaela Kastor – Softball
Kastor made 35 appearances with 23 starts in the circle, ultimately tossing 122.1 innings and recording 107 strikeouts along the way. She posted a team-best 4.18 ERA with seven wins. In one of the highlight moments of the year, Kastor recorded her first career no-hitter in a run-rule win over NCCU on Feb. 7.
Over her four-year career, Kastor produced 33 wins with a 4.16 ERA, plus 380 strikeouts.
Leah Klenke – Women’s Soccer
A stellar four-year career capped by being signed by the NWSL’s Houston Dash, Klenke left her mark on the women’s soccer program. At the conclusion of her senior season, Klenke was named First Team All-American, a Mac Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, a CSC Academic All-American, First Team All-ACC and the ACC All-Tournament Team.
Ultimately, Klenke was a three-time All-ACC selection and pushed her Irish squad to four NCAA Tournament berths, which included two Elte Eights. She played in 78 games, recording 27 points on five goals and 17 assists.
Aamil Wagner – Football
Named team captain ahead of the 2025 season, Wagner played a crucial role on the offensive line, starting all 12 games at right tackle. The Ohio native collected many honors by year’s end: Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Finalist, All-State AFCA Good Works Team, the Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award Finalist, All-State Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist and Campbell Trophy Semifinalist.
For the 2024 season, Wagner started in all 16 games, which included the CFP National Championship. He earned the Notre Dame Scholar-Athlete award that season. In 2023, Wagner played in seven games and was a member of the 2023 Joe Moore Award semifinalist offensive line group.
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