SAID & HINKEL EARN OEC CHARACTER CHAMPION AWARDS

The Orange Empire Conference has announced its 2026 Character Champion Award winners recognizing two student-athletes whose leadership, integrity, sportsmanship, and commitment to others have made a lasting impact both on and off the field.

This year’s honorees are Jinan Said of Saddleback College women’s soccer and Jonathan Hinkel of Irvine Valley College men’s tennis, who were selected for exemplifying the values that define the OEC Character Champion Award.

The annual award honors student-athletes who demonstrate sportsmanship, respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity, and responsibility while placing their team and teammates before themselves. The award also recognizes individuals who serve as positive role models within their programs and communities.

Jinan Said - Women’s Soccer, Saddleback College

Said’s accomplishments on the soccer field are impressive, but it is her character and leadership that set her apart.

Over two standout seasons with the Bobcats, Said totaled 23 goals and 17 assists in 44 matches, helping lead Saddleback to a remarkable 34-6-7 record and three consecutive Orange Empire Conference championships. During the 2025 season, she recorded 11 goals and seven assists, while earning OEC Co-MVP honors and United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American recognition.

One of the defining moments of her career came when she scored the game-winning goal that secured Saddleback’s third straight conference title.

Beyond the statistics, Said emerged as a respected captain and role model within the program. Her dedication to excellence extended into the classroom where she earned recognition at the Saddleback Scholar-Athlete Banquet in consecutive years.

Said’s influence also reached the international stage. Representing her heritage with the Jordanian National Team, she helped lift the WAFF Women’s National Championship Trophy, further showcasing the leadership, poise, and integrity that define her character.

She will continue her academic and athletic career at Fresno State on a Division I scholarship beginning in the fall of 2026.

Jonathan Hinkel - Men’s Tennis, Irvine Valley College

Hinkel was selected as the male recipient of the 2026 OEC Character Champion Award earning recognition for his excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and service.

A two-time captain for the Lasers, Hinkel played a key role in Irvine Valley’s recent success. He was named team captain as a freshman during the program’s 2025 State Championship season and again in 2026 as IVC captured back-to-back state titles.

Known for his leadership and professionalism, Hinkel has been praised as an ambassador for the Irvine Valley tennis program. Coaches, teammates, and support staff consistently point to his positive attitude, work ethic, and willingness to represent the college with class.

A standout competitor in both singles and doubles, Hinkel was also recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association during the state championships in Ojai earlier this spring.

While their athletic achievements helped place them among the conference’s elite competitors, both Said and Hinkel distinguished themselves through their commitment to character, leadership, and service.

Their selection as the 2026 OEC Character Champion Award winners serves as a reminder that success is measured not only by victories and championships, but also by the positive impact student-athletes have on their teammates, campuses, and communities.

The complete list of the nominees for each college: