Cambridge, Mass. – Tiahna Padilla '26 and Gemma Ogoke '29 were named MA Sorensen Award nominees this week.

The MA Sorensen Award honors MaryAnn (MA) Sorensen, a trailblazing player, coach, and physician who captained the United States to a championship at the 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup and later competed in two more finals. Her legacy celebrates excellence on the field and beyond, and she continues to present the award annually at the Washington Athletic Club awards dinner in Seattle.

This marks Padilla's fourth nomination. The senior captain has been instrumental in leading Harvard to a historic three-peat, earning MVP honors for the second time this fall and First-Team All-NIRA recognition for the fourth consecutive year. A member of the USA senior pipeline since her first year, Padilla holds the program record for career assists. This season, she tallied 95 tackles, 11 turnovers, six assists, and 66 carries, while setting up two clutch tries — including the game-winner in the Dartmouth Ivy Title match with a last-second line break and offload.

Ogoke, a first-year, delivered a breakout campaign en route to First-Team All-NIRA honors and a 2025 NIRA Division I championship. She led the team with nine tries — the first time a forward has topped the scoring chart — and added 117 tackles (91% success rate), 18 turnovers, and 92 carries. Her standout season earned invitations to winter pathway camps with Rugby Canada and USA Rugby, along with a spot at the USA senior domestic camp.

The MA Sorensen Award winner will be announced in June at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle.