NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Vanguard women's wrestler Lily Avalos was awarded a prestigious honor today, as she was selected to the 2025-26 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team for the winter seasons.  Avalos was one of 20 student-athletes selected to the honor roll across all three NCAA Divisions. 
 
Allstate and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics began the award in 2024, which came out of the numerous programs Allstate has had in the college football realm.  The initiative is a way to recognize and honor student-athletes who demonstrate levels of volunteerism and civic engagement that are above and beyond their success and achievements in the classroom and competition.  The goal of the program is to provide recognition for these future community leaders, their teams, academic institutions, and the communities they support. 
 
Avalos was nominated by Vanguard, and a judging panel reviewed the selections from across the country.  There are 20 student-athletes named for each season (Fall, Winter, & Spring), netting a total of 60 for one academic year.  Avalos was one of four Division II student-athletes to land on the list and joined the University of Iowa's Ava Bayless as the two women's wrestlers on the winter roster.  Avalos was the only selection from any of the Division II conferences on the West Coast, with Cal Lutheran men's basketball player Camden Hyde being the only other West Coast honoree.
 
Avalos has held a 3.64 cumulative GPA and has a 30-12 record on the mat.  She has been a three-year fellow with College Corps, a program that supports students who serve their communities while pursuing a debt-free pathway through college.  Along with that, she has been a frequent volunteer at the Costa Mesa Senior Citizens Center for Meals on Wheels, delivering meals and support to local seniors. 
 
"We are incredibly proud of Lily.  She represents our team, university, and our sport so well," said Head Coach Joe Evano.  She spreads her gifts to the world every day through sport, community service, and being the person she is.  It's an honor to have her on our team."