Polk State Athletics 2025-26 in review: Men’s superlatives

It was another exciting year for Polk State Athletics. Throughout the course of the athletic year, however, there were players, moments and performances that stood out above the rest.

As Polk State looks forward to another year of excellence on the courts and fields, and in the classrooms, here’s a look back at the best from the 2025-26 Athletics Year in men’s sports. The selections were made by the Polk State Athletics Eagle of the Month Committee.

Team of the Year: Baseball

For the 2026 season, Polk State Baseball again found itself in the hunt for the postseason. For the fifth time in six years, the Eagles hit the 30-win mark. Polk State posted impressive wins throughout the course of the season, taking series from nationally ranked opponents State College of Florida and College of Central Florida. Ranked among the Citrus Conference leaders in runs scored, the Eagles boasted a deep lineup that included Bradyn Potter, Marvin Montenegro, Hayden Testerman, Kustarr Webb, Jack Muller and Zach Lester.

All-Citrus Conference starting pitchers Carson Montsdeoca and Roman Corinti were a solid 1-2 punch in the weekend rotation. Dalton Tibbetts, Anthony Schatz, Aiden Dolan and Hayden Porter were key arms out of the bullpen as the Eagles ranked in the top 30 nationally in saves.

Athlete of the Year: Eric Dailey, Guard, Basketball

A local 6-foot-3 product from Winter Haven High School, Eric Dailey led Polk State and ranked eighth in the FCSAA, averaging 17.1 points per game. During the 2025-26 season, Dailey hit or eclipsed the 20-point mark nine times, which included a career-high 31 points against IMG Academy on Nov. 9. Dailey shot 42% from the field, 36% from deep and 80% from the free-throw line as a freshman. He also averaged 3.4 rebounds and ranked second on the team in assists (3.0) and steals (1.4) per contest. At season’s end, Dailey was named to the All-Citrus Conference second team.

Freshman of the Year: Marvin Montenegro, Catcher, Baseball

A freshman from Lakeland, Marvin Montenegro made an instant impact for Polk State Baseball. For the season, Montenegro hit .342 with five home runs, 45 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 16 stolen bases this season. He also led the Eagles with four triples. On March 17, Montenegro became the first Polk State athlete in any sport to earn FCSAA Player of the Week honors during the academic year after going 9-for-13 over a four-game stretch with two home runs, seven RBIs and six runs scored. That week was highlighted by a 5-for-5 effort on March 12 in a run-rule victory over No. 22 State College of Florida in which Montenegro had three doubles, a home run, five RBIs and four runs scored as he finished a triple shy of the cycle.

Most Improved Athlete of the Year: Hayden Testerman, Infielder, Baseball

After battling injuries as a freshman in 2025, Hayden “Bear” Testerman was one just three players to appear in all 54 games for the Eagles in 2026. As a sophomore, Testerman led the Eagles with 17 doubles – good for fifth in the FCSAA. Testerman also raised his batting average by nearly 60 points from his freshman season, hitting .325. After recording just one home run and 21 RBIs as a freshman, Testerman finished with four bombs and 44 RBIs as a sophomore. Testerman added 11 stolen bases without being caught.

Academic Athlete of the Year: Kustarr Webb, Infielder, Baseball

With a .425 on-base percentage, five home runs and 37 RBIs, Kustarr Webb was as consistent as they come for Polk State in the middle of the batting order. The Jacksonville native, however, was just as consistent in the classroom. Webb graduated summa cum laude with his Associate in Arts in May and a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. Webb signed to continue his athletic and academic career at Bethune Cookman University.

Coach of the Year: Al Corbeil, Baseball

The longest tenured coach in Polk State Baseball history, Al Corbeil continues to churn out one winning season after another. In his 16th season at the helm, Corbeil guided the Eagles to a 30-win season for the 12th time and for the fifth time in six years – despite not returning an All-Conference player. During his tenure, Corbeil has led Polk State to 534 wins, six conference titles and the 2012 FCSAA championship.

Performance of the Year: Zach Lester, OF, Baseball vs. St. Johns River State College (Feb. 10, 2026)

After leading Polk State in home runs, RBIs and stolen bases as a freshman in 2025, outfielder Zach Lester’s power was slow to show in 2026. By the third week of the season, however, it had arrived in a big way. In a 16-6 road win over St. Johns River State College on Feb. 10, Lester became the first Polk State player to homer three times in one game in four years. Lester put the Eagles ahead for good with a solo home run in the fourth inning. In the sixth, Lester added a second solo blast before capping the scoring with a two-run shot in the ninth. Lester finished the evening 4-for-6 with four RBI and four runs scored, becoming the first player since Jack Duffy in February 2022 to leave the yard three times in one contest.

Game of the Year: Polk State Baseball’s thrilling win at No. 18 College of Central Florida (April 16, 2026)

Polk State Baseball was desperate for a win as it began a three-game series in Ocala against eventual Citrus Conference champion College of Central Florida. Polk State raced to a 3-0 lead behind a splendid start on the mound from Carson Montsdeoca. As the contest headed to the ninth, however, the Patriots had drawn even and seemed to have all the momentum. In the top of the ninth, a walk, hit by pitch and single loaded the bases with one out, but after a strikeout, it was up to Jack Muller to deliver the Eagles with two outs.

On the second pitch of the at-bat, the redshirt freshman lined one up the middle, scoring Kenay Acevedo and Bradyn Potter to cap a three-hit day and put the Eagles ahead for good. Aiden Dolan retired the final four batters to pick up the victory as Polk State prevailed, 5-3.

Moment of the Year: Giles honored before home contest with St. Petersburg College (Feb. 18, 2026)

After nine years at the helm, two trips to the FCSAA Tournament and 119 wins, Head Polk State Basketball Coach Brandon Giles has called it quits. During the Eagles’ Feb. 18 contest against St. Petersburg College, Giles was honored with a plaque before the contest. Several former players, including All-Conference standouts like Tekorian “TK” Smith and George Pridgett, made the trip to be there for their former coach. Many came from out of state as Polk State packed the gym to honor Giles during its annual “Black Out” game.