University of Richmond seniors Aidan O’Neil and Hunter Smith have been named among the Top 25 nominees for the Tewaaraton Award, according to an April 18 announcement. The award is given each year to the most outstanding players in college lacrosse.
The recognition places both O’Neil and Smith among the top players in the country, highlighting their impact on a season where Richmond’s men’s lacrosse team has achieved a No. 4 national ranking. Both serve as team captains and are noted for their contributions on offense and defense, respectively.
Richmond is one of only seven programs nationally with multiple nominees this year. Only North Carolina and Princeton have more, each with three nominees. O’Neil and Smith are just the third and fourth players in program history to be named Tewaaraton Award Top 25 nominees, making it the first time two Spiders have been selected in a single season. Previous honorees from Richmond include Ryan Lanchbury (2022) and Dalton Young (2024).
O’Neil leads an offense that ranks first nationally in points per game, shot percentage, and scoring margin while sitting second in scoring offense overall. He has recorded 25 goals and 36 assists this season, surpassing his previous single-season best. His career totals include starting all 62 games with records placing him among Richmond’s all-time leaders.
Smith anchors a defense ranked second nationally in scoring defense, fifth in caused turnovers per game, and tenth in man-down defense. Individually he ranks ninth nationally for caused turnovers per game. This season he was drafted by the Boston Cannons as part of the Premier Lacrosse League College Draft.
Winners of the Tewaaraton Award will be announced following the conclusion of this year’s college lacrosse season at a ceremony scheduled for May 28 in Washington, D.C.
