TEMPE– Sun Devil Triathlon's Naomi Ruff and Wrestling's David Szuba were named Kajikawa winners for the 2025-26 school year, given annually to one male and one female graduating senior student-athlete in recognition for his and her contributions at Arizona State University in honor of legendary Sun Devil Bill Kajikawa.
Sun Devil Athletics selects the Kajikawa Award recipients based on demonstrated academic excellence, athletic accomplishment, leadership, and service in the community.
About Naomi Ruff:
Ruff established herself as an elite triathlete at Arizona State after becoming the program's fifth individual national champion in 2024 after her 59:08 finish in the National Championship. She was a member of two national-championship-winning teams (2023, 2022) and built a lengthy resume during her time in the Maroon and Gold.
Aside from her champion nods, she has earned multiple Scholar All-American Honors, All-West and All-East Region Honors, and is a multi-time CTCA All-American. She was also selected as a Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Month and is an eight-time Dean's List recipient.
In the community, Ruff has volunteered at the Arizona Humane Society, Phoenix Children's Hospital, and Feed My Starving Children.
Ruff is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors and is earning her BS in Accountancy and BS in Marketing.
About David Szuba:
Sun Devil Wrestling’s David Szuba led by example on and off the mats throughout the 2025-26 season. Athletically, Szuba continued the now seven-year trend in which an Arizona State heavyweight wrestler has earned All-American status, placing seventh overall in the heavyweight division at the NCAA Championships on March 21. Szuba placed third at the Big 12 Championships on March 7, won 26 matches throughout the season and tallied 14 bonus-point victories.
Academically, Szuba was named an NWCA scholar All-American, earned a spot on the winter All-Big 12 Academic Team and was named the Sun Devil Wrestling Student-Athlete of the Year.
Szuba consistently participated in SACC community service at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in addition to being at the forefront of the Wrestling team’s community service initiatives.
David and his wife, Kaylee, have launched a soap and botanicals company, Plain and Pure, where their website is expected to launch shortly. Szuba is graduating with an MA in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Cybersecurity Policy and Management).