Below are the nominees for the 2023 Blaster Awards. The winners will be announced at an in-person, red-carpet, student-only ceremony on the evening of May 2 at Volk Gym.
The Blaster Awards were established in 2016 to honor the best in Mines Athletics. Through nominations and votes from Mines' head coaches, the 2023 edition will feature 14 awards.
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MALEÂ ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to an outstanding athlete who is in their first year of eligibility (either a true freshman or redshirt freshman).Â
Ryan Cody (Wrestling)
- Earned the starting job at 184 pounds, going 20-9 as a redshirt freshman
- Was 9-2 in duals and 4-2 against the RMAC, and had nine wins by fall, the fastest in 30 seconds
- Was ranked three times at #20 by the Open Mat
- Finished fourth in the UNK Open Elite bracket and fifth at the NCAA Super Region VI Championships.
Cade Mankle (Basketball)
- Split time between the starting lineup and a reserve role in his debut season
- Great distributor on offense as his 44 assists were fourth on the team
- Registered four double-digit games with a 15-point game against #4/5 BHSU in December
- Shot nearly 40% from the field while collecting 46 rebounds and 14 steals on defense
Lukas Taggart (Golf)
- As a true freshman, has cemented himself as the team's #1 golfer and was the RMAC Championships silver medalist
- Is ranked #76 in the Golfstat D-II rankings, and is #6 nationally among freshmen
- Leads the team in scoring average (72.58) with two top-10 finishes highlighted by runner-up at the Southern Colorado Masters
- Owns Mines' lowest round of the year (66) and four of the five lowest
Tim Thompson (Track & Field)
- Second-Team All-America in the 800m at NCAA Indoor Championships
- First-Team All-RMAC, bronze medalist in the 800m
- One of only two true freshmen to qualify for the NCAA 800m, one of the deepest and most competitive events in the country
Landon Walker (Football)
- RMAC Offensive Freshman of the Year and team's Newcomer of the Year
- Appeared in 12 games in a hybrid tight end/fullback/running back role, rushing 28 times for 220 yards and three touchdowns and catching 12 passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns
- Top games were 130 yards and two touchdowns rushing against Adams State, and 11 carries for 45 yards and a score at Chadron State, and also caught another touchdown
Jakson Winn (Swimming)
- First-Team All-RMAC as part of the 200-medley relay and 2x Second-Team All-RMAC as a true freshman
- Qualified for the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, finishing 18th in the nation as part of the 200-medley relay
- Earned two silver medals and one bronze medal at his first RMAC Championships
- Broke the program record in the 100-back, and helped break two program relay records
Jackson Woolwine (Baseball)
- Starting center fielder and leadoff hitter for all 37 games (to date) as a redshirt freshman
- Hitting .379 and leads the team with 42 runs, ranking second with 50 hits. Also has 12 doubles
- Named RMAC Player of the Week after hitting .750 with 11 runs and 7 RBI in the series sweep of NMHU
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FEMALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to an outstanding athlete who is in their first year of eligibility (either a true freshman or redshirt freshman).Â
Avery Wright (Track & Field)
- True freshman multi-eventer and sprinter broke the program heptathlon record during the outdoor season and is currently in the top 12 nationally
- Scored in both the pentathlon and 60m hurdles at the RMAC Indoor Championships to held Mines to the team title
- Second-Team All-RMAC during indoor season
- Versatile athlete has competed in 10 different events this year
Jordan Tierney (Swimming)
- Three-time All-American as a true freshman in the 200-breast, 400-free relay, and 400-medley relay
- RMAC Freshman of the Year, earned First-Team All-RMACÂ three times and Second-Team All-RMACÂ four times
- Competed in the maximum seven events at NCAAs and finished 15th in the nation in the 200-breast
- Broke four program records in her first season including the 100-breast, 200-breast, and two relays
Kendall Aragon (Softball)
- One of the leading hitters all season long and currently leads Mines with a .379 average
- Also leads the team in hits and runs scored in addition to double-digit totals in RBI in stolen bases
- Has four separate hitting streaks of at least five games this season
- At time of nomination, had hit safely of 31 of 42 games to date and reached base in 34 of 42 games
Afton Rasco (Soccer)
- RMAC Freshman of the Year, Second Team All-RMAC, and RMAC All-Tournament Team
- Started 11 of 20 matches and registered 17 points on seven goals and three assists
- Registered four game-winning goals, the second-most on the team
- Recorded a point in four-straight matches from Sept. 9-23
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MALE ACADEMIC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the most outstanding male scholar-athlete, with a combination of athletic and academic achievement taken into consideration.
Grayston DiBlasi (Wrestling)
- Mechanical Engineering major
- RMAC Academic Wrestler of the Year
- NCAA Elite 90 winner as having the top GPA at the national championship meet
- NCAA qualifier, First-Team All-RMAC, and NCAA super-regional runner-up
- Led Mines in wins going 28-7 and co-led the team with 11 pins
Duncan Fuehne (Cross Country/Track & Field)
- Engineering Physics (B.S.) / Physics (M.S.) major
- Finished 3rd individually at the NCAA cross country championships to earn First-Team All-America status
- RMAC Academic Runner of the Year in cross country
- NCAA Elite 90 winner as having the top GPA at the XC national championship meet
- Finished ninth nationally at NCAA Indoor championships in the 5K to be a USTFCCCA Second-Team All-American
Adam Houghtaling (Baseball)
- Electrical Engineering major
- RMAC Academic Honor Roll in 2022 (team not yet selected for 2023)
- NCBWA Preseason Second-Team All-American
- Leads the team with 20 doubles while hitting .340 with 28 runs, one triple, four home runs and 32 RBI
- Hit for the cycle for the second time in his career, and also #11 in all-time doubles and all-time home runs in less than three seasons
Mason Karp (Football)
- Mechanical Engineering (B.S.) / Engineering & Technology Management (M.S.) major
- First-Team Academic All-America
- Starting receiver caught 740 yards and six touchdowns in his final season and had 3+ receptions in 14 different games this season
- First-Team Academic All-RMAC
- Finished his career with 1,805 yards off 168 receptions and 11 touchdowns
Scott Reeder (Swimming)
- Electrical Engineering major
- Earned RMAC Academic Honor Roll after being RMAC Academic Swimmer of the Year and Summit Award winner in 2021-22
- Appeared in four individual events at the RMAC Championships and scored team points in each swim
- Posted a NCAA qualifying time in the 500-free.
Brendan Sullivan (Basketball)
-Â Civil Engineering (B.S.) / Engineering & Technology Management (M.S.) major
- RMAC Academic Player of the Year, Second Team CSC Academic All-America
- First Team All-RMAC, D2CCA Second Team All-Region, NABC Second Team All-District
- Averaged 28.7 minutes, 13.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals over 32 games
- Three 20-point games, 128 rebounds fourth on team, 61 assists third on team
Michael Sprauer (Soccer)
-Â Electrical Engineering (B.S. and M.S.) major
- RMAC Academic Player of the Year, First Team CSC Academic All-America
- First Team All-RMAC, First Team RMAC All-Academic, First Team All-Region (D2CCA/United Soccer Coaches), United Soccer Coaches First Team Scholar All-America
- Started 20 matches and scored seven goals with one assist for 15 points
- Scored game-winning goals in back-to-back matches over South Dakota Mines and Regis
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FEMALE ACADEMIC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the most outstanding male scholar-athlete, with a combination of athletic and academic achievement taken into consideration.
Zoe Baker (Cross Country/Track & Field)
-Â Computer Science (B.S. and M.S.)Â major
- RMAC Academic Athlete of the Year for both cross country and track & field
- In cross country, finished 33rd nationally to be a USTFCCCA All-American, and was seventh regionally
- In indoor track, was a First-Team All-American finishing fourth nationally in the 5K and was also the RMAC silver medalist in the 3K and 5K to earn RMAC Track Athlete of the Year honors
- NCAA Woman of the Year finalist, the first in Mines history
Elle Duis (Volleyball)
-Â Civil Engineering (B.S.) / Structural Engineering (M.S.)Â major
- CSC Academic All-District and RMAC First-Team All-Academic along with Second-Team All-RMAC
- Broke the program's all-time digs record and became the first player to surpass 2,000 digs in a career
- Listed 14 times in the program record book including #6 in all-time service aces
- For the season, put up 502 digs at 4.61 digs per set along with 24 service aces while never missing a single set in her entire career
Katie Koehler (Soccer)
- Electrical Engineering major
- Second Team All-RMAC, CSC First Team Academic All-America, First Team Academic All-RMAC
- Scored the latest equalizer in program history on Sept. 25 at MSU Denver at 87:44
- One of two players to start all 23 matches and was second on team with 2,057 minutes
- Scored four goals for eight points and anchored one of the best defensive units in the country
Meghan Slowey (Swimming)
- Mechanical Engineering major
- CSCAA First-Team All-American, finishing #5 in the nation in the 1650-free while shattering the program record and cementing herself as the best miler in program history
- CSCAA Second-Team All-American in the 1000-free as she finished #14 in the nation and as part of the 400-freestyle relay
- Earned her third straight RMAC Swimmer of the Year award thanks to three First-Team All-RMAC finishes including RMAC Champion in the 1650-free. Was also 2x Second-Team All-RMAC
- Finished her career as the second-most decorated swimmer in program history thanks to five all-American swims in four years
Sammy Van Sickle (Basketball)
-Â Civil Engineering (B.S.) / Engineering Technology & Management (M.S.) major
- CSC Academic All-District and RMAC First-Team All-Academic
- RMAC Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-RMAC, Second-Team All-Region, and RMAC All-Tournament
- Surpassed 1,000 points for her career and broke the program's all-time rebounding record while finishing #2 in all-time assists, #3 in all-time steals, and #5 in all-time blocks
- Averaged 9.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 steals per game during the 2022-23 season
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COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to an athlete, male or female, who overcame injury, illness, or other adversity, to perform at a high level this season
Charles Burroughs (Men's Swimming)
Suffered a debilitating back injury that had him out of practice for many weeks and compromised his training, but he was still able to have a great season including an all-American finish in the 200-fly, two silver medals at the RMAC Championships, and two program records.
Everett Delate (Men's Track & Field)
Broke his collarbone in the winter of 2022 and did not compete in the 2022 outdoor season. This year, has broken both the 60m hurdles (indoors) and 110m hurdles (outdoor) program records (the latter had stood since 1986), won the RMAC 60m hurdles championship, and qualified for and was All-American at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Is on pace to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor championships as well.
Adrian Moreno (Football)
Suffered a season-ending arm injury early in the 2021 season that required surgery. Came back to be the team's starting middle linebacker in 2022, earning First-Team All-RMAC and Second-Team All-Colorado status with 58 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Carter Noehre (Wrestling)
Tore his ACL at the Midwest Classic in December mid-season and still placed at the toughest tournament of the year. Continued to wrestle with a torn ACL, returned to beat an All-American in the teams' dual vs Mesa, and finished third at Super Regional championships to qualify for NCAA's.
Annie Osmun (Women's Swimming)
Had shoulder surgery last year and has been rehabilitating the shoulder every day since the surgery. Despite being limited in practice, she is able to excel in her races despite this limitation. She rallied the women's team to qualify two relays to NCAA's – she was the only swimmer on both of the qualifying relays.Â
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SAAC COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
The SAAC Community Impact award is voted upon by the membership of SAAC to recognize the outstanding community service by either one student-athlete, a group, or a team.
Amena Nelson (Soccer/Track & Field)
Gabby Castronova (Volleyball)
Claire Lautman (Women's Swimming)
Maximus Waring (Men's Swimming)
Luke Folsom and Chandler Cole (Baseball)
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MALE IRON DIGGER AWARD
Awarded to two seniors, one male and one female, who have demonstrated unparalleled dedication to physical preparation. Candidates will have been at the forefront of their team's training in both personal improvement and leadership, exemplifying what it means to work behind the scenes. Candidates must have appeared in at least 50% of their team's competitions. This award is voted on by the strength & conditioning staff.
Daniel Caddy (Wrestling)
Caelin David (Soccer)
Josh Johnston (Football)
Garrett Waite (Swimming)
Kevin Zapanta (Baseball)
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FEMALE IRON DIGGER AWARD
Awarded to two seniors, one male and one female, who have demonstrated unparalleled dedication to physical preparation. Candidates will have been at the forefront of their team's training in both personal improvement and leadership, exemplifying what it means to work behind the scenes. Candidates must have appeared in at least 50% of their team's competitions. This award is voted on by the strength & conditioning staff.
Laura Butler (Soccer)
Lauren Decker (Softball)
Elle Duis (Volleyball)
Annie Osmun (Swimming)
Megan Van de Graaf (Basketball)
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MALE OREDIGGER EXCELLENCE AWARD
Awarded to two seniors, one male and one female, who have completed their eligibility and have distinguished themselves in an outstanding manner in achievement, leadership, and school spirit over the course of their Mines careers.
Arvid Veidmark IV (Track & Field)
- Five-year program member as a thrower for track & field
- First and only men's shot put all-American in program history
- Four-time RMAC champion and seven-time all-region in his career
Jack Damenti (Wrestling)
- Sixth-year senior went 36-31 in his career
- Two-year starter at 165 pounds and had his best career season in 2023 going 16-8 and finishing fourth at the NCAA Super Regional Championships
- Four-time NWCA Scholar All-America and two-time First-Team Academic All-RMAC
Sam LaPrade (Swimming)
- 2023 NCAA Championships qualifier
- All-RMAC in all four years, including three straight First-Team All-RMAC seasons
- Holds program records in the 50-backstroke and 200-medley relay
Adam Thistlewood (Basketball)
- Bevo Francis Small College Player of the Year Top 100 watchlist, First Team All-RMAC, D2CCA Second Team All-Region, NABC Second Team All-District
- Led Mines this season in minutes (30.8), scoring (15.9 PPG) and rebounding (6.6 RPG)
- Scored in double-figures in 28 of 32 games with four 20-point games
Adam Houghtaling (Baseball)
- In his third, and final, season with the baseball team after transferring from San Jacinto College.
- 2x Second-Team All-Region first baseman and Second-Team All-RMAC with RMAC Academic Honor Roll in 2022.
- In less than three seasons ranks #11 in program history in all-time doubles and home runs while appearing on three other single-season lists in the record book.
- Has hit for the cycle twice in his career while batting .359 with 63 runs on 108 hits with 38 doubles, two triples, and 18 home runs with 76 RBI in three seasons.
Michael Zeman (Football)
- Two-year team captain, team went 25-5 over the past two seasons with trips to the national semifinals (2021) and final (2022)
- Sixth-year senior became the greatest running back in Mines history setting the career records for rushing yards (4,463), rushing touchdowns (55), and total touchdowns (66), and setting the Colorado touchdowns record as well
- Was a three-time All-American and First-Team All-RMAC selection
- In 2022 rushed for 1,303 yards and 21 touchdowns and caught 277 yards and five TDs
FEMALE OREDIGGER EXCELLENCE AWARD
Awarded to two seniors, one male and one female, who have completed their eligibility and have distinguished themselves in an outstanding manner in achievement, leadership, and school spirit over the course of their Mines careers.
Jordan Barnhart (Soccer)
- RMAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-RMAC, D2CCA First Team All-Region/First Team All-America, United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America
- Co-captain and started all 23 matches and led team with 2,076 minutes
- Scored six times with three assists for 15 points and was 3-3 on PKs
- Anchored one of the best defensive units in the country that allowed just 0.74 goals and 9.7 shots per game with 15 shutouts
Miranda Manfre (Track & Field)
- Middle-distance specializing in the 400 and 800
- Has been All-RMAC as a member of the 4x400 relay
- Three-time RMAC Academic Honor Roll member
- USTFCCCA All-Academic member
Meghan Slowey (Swimming)
- CSCAA First-Team All-American, finishing #5 in the nation in the 1650-free while shattering the program record and cementing herself as the best miler in program history.
- CSCAA Second-Team All-American in the 1000-free as she finished #14 in the nation and as part of the 400-freestyle relay.
- Earned her third straight RMAC Swimmer of the Year award thanks to three First-Team All-RMAC finishes incuding RMAC Champion in the 1650-free. Was also 2x Second-Team All-RMAC.
- Finished her career as the second-most decorated swimmer in program history thanks to five all-American swims in four years.
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MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the most outstanding male and female athletes of the year
John Matocha (Football)
- Harlon Hill Award winner and D2CCA and D2football.com National Offensive Player of the Year as the best player in NCAA Division II
- Quarterbacked Mines to the national championship game leading D-II in passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass efficiency, and points responsible for, generating the third-most total yards (5,221) in a season in D-II history, adding 443 rushing yards and five ground touchdowns
- CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year and consensus First-Team All-American
- Had a prolific postseason producing 23 total touchdowns (19 passing, 4 rushing), more than double the next-best player in D-II, including five or more total touchdowns in each of the first four rounds of the NCAA Division II tournament.
Garrett Nielsen (Baseball)
- Leads the team batting .397 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI along with 34 runs and 16 doubles.
- Nationally ranked #25 in doubles and home runs as well as #23 in RBI and #19 in slugging.
- Ranked #2 in the RMAC in slugging and OPS while sitting #3 in home runs, #4 in RBI, and #8 in doubles.
- Currently #9 in program history for home runs in a season and #8 for RBI in a season.
Dillon Powell (Cross Country/Track & Field)
- NCAA national champion in both cross country and the indoor 5K, the first in program history in each
- Led the men's cross country team to the 2022 NCAA team national championship with his individual win
- Reset his NCAA Division II indoor 5K national record at 13:28.46
- All-American in both XC and indoor, and currently holds the nation's #1 5K outdoor time
Anderson Salisbury (Wrestling)
- First-Team All-RMAC going 23-8 at 197 pounds
- Team's captain became just the third Oredigger in program history to be a four-time NCAA Championships qualifier, and ranks fifth all-time in career wins (86) and win percentage (.754)
- Spent the entire season nationally ranked peaking at #4 in his weight class
- NCAA Super Regional runner-up
Brendan Sullivan (Basketball)
- RMAC Academic Player of the Year, First Team All-RMAC, D2CCA Second Team All-Region, NABC Second Team All-District, NABC Division II All-Star Game Participant
- Averaged 28.7 minutes, 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game
- Third on team in assists, fourth in rebounds
- 23 double-digit scoring games, six 20-point games
Garrett Waite (Swimming)
- CSCAA Second-Team All-America in the 200-IM, finishing 14th in the nation.
- 2x First-Team All-RMAC and 3x Second-Team All-RMAC with two silver medals and three bronze medals.
- Competed at NCAAs in four individual events and as part of one relay.
- Broke the program record in the 200-IM multiple times and as part of two relays.
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FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the most outstanding male and female athletes of the year
Drew Stokes (Volleyball)
- First-Team All-American and Second-Team All-American to become the most decorated player in program history.
- RMAC Setter of the Year and First-Team All-RMAC with two First-Team All-Region awards while bringing home RMAC Setter of the Week three times.
- Broke the program's all-time assists record and is listed in the program record book 20 times including #3 in all-time service aces.
- Also surpassed 1,000 digs for her career, giving her 5,899 career assists and 1,0003 career digs.
Ashley Steffeck (Basketball)
- Became the first all-American in program history, leading the team with 14.9 points and 2.9 steals per game.
- D2CCA Second-Team All-Region, First-Team All-RMAC, RMAC All-Tournament and 3x RMAC Defensive Player of the Week.
- Broke the program's all-time steals record, scored the #3-most points in a season, and surpassed 1,000 points for her career.
- Ranked #9 in the nation in total steals, #10 in assist-to-turnover ratio and #11 in steals per game.
Sadriena Rodriguez (Softball)
- 3x RMAC Pitcher of the the Week and one of the top statistical pitchers in the RMAC this season
- Surpassed 200 career strikeouts on April 9 and became first pitcher with 10+ wins and 100+ strikeouts in the same season since 2019
- Top 10 in RMAC in ERA and opp. avg. (3rd), strikeouts (4th), wins and runs allowed (6th) and innings (10th)
- Top 70 in all of NCAA Division II in strikeouts
Reese McDermott (Soccer)
- First Team All-RMAC, First Team Academic All-RMAC, RMAC Tournament MVP, First Team All-Region (D2CCA/United Soccer Coaches), Third Team All-America (United Soccer Coaches), CSC Academic All-District
- Started all but one match and led team with 15 goals while adding two assists for 32 points
- Tied for second on the team with four game-winning goals, scored in 11 matches and three of six postseason contests
- Ranks fifth all-time in career goals (23), sixth in game-winning goals (7) and eighth in points (50)
Meghan Slowey (Swimming)
- CSCAA First-Team All-American, finishing #5 in the nation in the 1650-free while shattering the program record and cementing herself as the best miler in program history
- CSCAA Second-Team All-American in the 1000-free as she finished #14 in the nation and as part of the 400-freestyle relay
- Earned her third straight RMAC Swimmer of the Year award thanks to three First-Team All-RMAC finishes incuding RMAC Champion in the 1650-free. Was also 2x Second-Team All-RMAC
- Finished her career as the second-most decorated swimmer in program history thanks to five all-American swims in four years
Hannah Miller (Track & Field)
- National champion in the indoor pole vault, just the second women's track & field national champion ever and first since 2004
- USTFCCCA First-Team All-America, First-Team All-Region, and First-Team All-RMAC and was the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week in February, the first Mines woman to ever win the award
- Broke the RMAC and Mines indoor record at 4.16m, and in the outdoor season is currently #5 nationally at 4.10m
- Won the RMACÂ indoor championship in the pole vault
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COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the most outstanding coaching staff of the year. All staffs are automatically on the ballot, and the top five vote-getters are finalists.
Cross Country
- National Coach of the Year Chris Siemers was also South Central Region Coach of the Year and RMAC Coach of the Year
- NCAA Division II national champions for the men, third place for the women
- NCAA South Central regional and RMAC champions (men), regional and RMAC runners-up (women)
- Had the program's first-ever individual national champion (Dillon Powell) and won the national meet by the largest margin of victory in NCAA history
Football
- NCAA Division II finalist, making the national championship game for the first time in program history
- Went 13-3, rebounding from an 0-2 start to win 13 consecutive games including four straight playoff wins to make it to the national final and won the RMAC title
- Had the Harlon Hill Award winner (John Matocha), seven all-Americans, and the national coach of the year (Brandon Moore)
- Had the national assistant coach of the year in offensive coordinator Pete Sterbick
Women's Soccer
- Kevin Fickes was the RMAC Coach of the Year and the staff earned South Central Region Staff of the Year
- Had the RMAC Freshman & Defensive Player of the Year, two All-Americans
- NCAA Division II National Quarterfinalist for first time since 2016
- 18-2-3 record, NCAA South Central Region, RMAC Tournament & RMAC regular season champions
Swimming
- Third consecutive RMAC Coach of the Year for head coach Claire McDaniel
- Finished #22 in the nation at the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships
- Qualfied eight individuals, and six relays for the national meet
- Women were second and men third at the RMAC Championships
- Brought home seven All-America awards, had one RMAC Champion, 29 All-RMAC awards, and broke 16 program records
Track & Field
- Won the program's first-ever RMAC Women's Indoor championship, and finished 8th at the NCAA Indoor Championships, the program's highest-ever finish. The men finished 14th nationally
- For the first time ever had men's and women's national champions at the NCAA Indoor meet
- Had both the men and women ranked in the top 10 this season, including the highest-ever women's ranking
- Matt Sparks was the RMAC women's coach of the year and Jocelyn Sparks was the regional assistant coach of the year
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TEAM OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the most outstanding team of the year. All teams are automatically on the ballot, and the top five vote-getters are finalists.
Men's Cross Country
- NCAA Division II national champions
- NCAA South Central regional and RMAC champions
- Had the program's first-ever individual national champion (Dillon Powell) and won the national meet by the largest margin of victory in NCAA history
Women's Cross Country
- Finished #3 in the nation at the NCAA championships, tying the highest finish in program history
- South Central Region and RMAC runners-up, matching the highest finish in program history at both races
- Three all-Americans matched the most in a single season in program history
Football
- NCAA Division II finalist, making the national championship game for the first time in program history
- Went 13-3, rebounding from an 0-2 start to win 13 consecutive games including four straight playoff wins to make it to the national final
- Was a perfect 9-0 to win the RMAC title
- Had the Harlon Hill Award winner (John Matocha), seven all-Americans, and the national coach of the year (Brandon Moore)
Women's Soccer
- NCAA Division II National Quarterfinalist for first time since 2016
- 18-2-3 record, NCAA South Central Region, RMAC Tournament & RMAC regular season champions
- Had the RMAC Freshman & Defensive Player of the Year, two All-Americans
Women's Track & Field
- Won the program's first-ever RMAC Indoor championship
- Finished 8th at the NCAA Indoor Championships, the program's highest-ever finish
- Had the program's first national champion (Hannah Miller, pole vault) since 2004
- Spent six weeks ranked in the top-10 during the indoor season ending at #8; this outdoor season has achieved the highest ranking in program history at #7