The WPI Department of Athletics is proud to kick off its 2025–2026 Athletics Celebration, a daily series highlighting the top moments from each varsity program's season. The celebration will also recognize each team's Ray Cherenzia '73 Award honoree and selected programs' major award winners, as chosen by WPI Athletics' head coaches.

Top Moment: Castro Earns AFCA First Team All-America Honors
Graduate student Josh Castro delivered one of the finest special-teams seasons in WPI football history, earning a place on the American Football Coaches Association Division III All-America First Team as a punter.

Castro totaled 2,675 punting yards and averaged 44.6 yards per attempt, highlighted by a school-record 94-yard punt. He recorded 20 punts of at least 50 yards and placed 22 attempts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. One of only three special-teams players selected nationally to the first team, Castro's recognition provided a fitting conclusion to a remarkable season for the graduate student.
AFCA All-America – Josh Castro

Senior Day: Engineers Recognize 17 Seniors

Before its season finale at Alumni Stadium, WPI honored 17 seniors for their dedication and contributions to the football program: Jack Thompson, Dan Shanley, Ty Csencsits, Ryan Hannigan, Aedan McDermott, Joey LeClerc, Aiden Cavotta, Josh Castro, Zachary Zambardi, Jack Haber, Dylan Wagner, Tom McGraw, Colin Chandonnet, Nikolas Hemmings, Nate Ambrad, Brady Sheehan and Seth Beyea.

The pregame ceremony provided the Engineers with an opportunity to celebrate a senior class whose commitment extended beyond the action at Alumni Stadium. Through their leadership, preparation and support of their teammates, the 17 honorees helped shape the program and represented WPI throughout their collegiate careers.
Season Finale and Senior Day Recap
   

Ray Cherenzia '73 Award Recipient – Zachary Zambardi

Zambardi was selected as the football program's recipient of the Ray Cherenzia '73 Award. The honor is presented to a member of each varsity team who embodies the spirit of an "unsung hero"—someone who works hard each day, puts the team ahead of individual goals and performs the often-unrecognized responsibilities that are vital to the team's success.

Zambardi's selection recognizes the commitment, selflessness and character he demonstrated as a member of the football program. One of the Engineers' 17 Senior Day honorees, he represented WPI through his dedication to his teammates and his willingness to place the needs of the program first.
   

Additional Season Honors

Castro and junior linebacker Carter Learned earned postseason All-NEWMAC recognition. Castro was selected to the first team as a punter and the second team as a wide receiver, while Learned received second-team honors after leading WPI with 85 tackles, including 48 solo stops.
All-NEWMAC – Josh Castro and Carter Learned

Castro's standout campaign also earned him a place on the New England Football Writers Association College Division All-New England Team. The honor recognizes the top Division II and III players by position from throughout New England.
NEFW All-New England Team – Josh Castro

The graduate student added D3football.com All-Region 1 Third Team recognition as a punter. The selection made Castro the 15th Engineer named to a D3football.com regional team during head coach Chris Robertson's tenure.
D3football.com All-Region 1 – Josh Castro

WPI also distinguished itself in the classroom by placing 38 student-athletes on the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team, the second-highest total among conference programs. Nate Ambrad, Aiden Cavotta, Colin Chandonnet, Ty Csencsits and Ryan Hannigan led the Engineers as three-time honorees.
NEWMAC Academic All-Conference

Senior Colin Chandonnet was selected as WPI football's representative on the NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship Team. The award recognizes student-athletes who demonstrate sportsmanship and ethical behavior that extend beyond the playing rules and customary etiquette of their sport. Chandonnet was recognized for his work ethic, respect for the game and sacrifices on behalf of his teammates.
NEWMAC Fall All-Sportsmanship Team

Eight Engineers - Castro, Ambrad, Hannigan, Learned, Csencsits, Cole Dillon, Garrett Ranieri and Grant Engelhardt - were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. The honor recognizes the nation's leading student-athletes for their combined accomplishments in competition and in the classroom.
CSC Academic All-District Team

Castro capped his decorated year by earning CSC NCAA Division III Academic All-America First Team honors. A computer science Ph.D. student with a perfect 4.00 graduate GPA, he became the fifth WPI football student-athlete to receive CSC Academic All-America recognition and the second to earn first-team honors.
CSC Academic All-America First Team – Josh Castro

The 2025–2026 WPI Athletics Celebration will continue with features highlighting each of the Engineers' varsity programs. Follow WPI Athletics on Instagram (@wpiathletics), Facebook and X (@WPIAthletics) to keep up with the series.

Fans can also follow WPI Football on Instagram (@wpifootball) and X (@WPIFOOTBALL) for the latest program news and updates.