PRINCETON, N.J — Luke Johnston (Sr., Menlo Park, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep) is among five Princeton University student-athletes named finalists for the 2026 Chris Sailer Leadership Award in honor of Chris Sailer, Hall-of-Fame women’s lacrosse coach at Princeton from 1987-2022. The award, made possible by Lucy Small DeStefano ’99 S94 and Chris DeStefano ’94 S99, is awarded annually to senior student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to serving others.
The Chris Sailer Leadership Award will be presented at the Gary Walters ’67 Princeton Varsity Club Awards Banquet on Thursday, May 21st starting at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. For more information on the 2026 banquet, CLICK HERE.
A senior captain for who helped the Tigers to four (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Championships and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) appearances during his career, Johnston set the Princeton single-season program record in ejections drawn with 97 in 2025.
He was a pillar of steady and positive leadership throughout his career, even when overcoming injury. As a senior captain, Johnston was instrumental in bringing a young team together and navigating the transition that comes with graduating an accomplished class of ten seniors. His steadfast and inclusive leadership helped the team grow and secure the program’s fifth consecutive league title.
Out of the water, Johnston helped the Princeton University Library source an 18th-century manuscript to assist in the study of the American Revolution. The piece included several sea shanties, a singing tradition of water polo alumni at Reunions.
A (2023, 2024, 2025) three-time Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Academic honoree, Johnston is a history major with minors in classics and Judaic studies.
