KEARNEY – Nebraska Kearney Athletics wrapped up the 2023-23 year with the eighth annual “Louie Awards” Monday night (May 1) in the Ponderosa Room of the Nebraskan Student Union.
Each team was in attendance to honor winners in the categories of “Classroom Excellence”, “Community Engagement” and “Competition”. The night also recognized the Dr. Tom Kropp Award Winner, Title IX Trailblazers as well as MIAA Scholar Athletes, All-Americans, national award winners, record breakers, and MIAA Champions.
The event wasn’t held in 2020 and things were handled virtually in 2021. In addition, the awards given out has changed on an annual or semi-annual basis.
Classroom Excellence
Top Three Female Senior Student-Athletes of the Year
Michaela Bartels, Volleyball (4.00 GPA)
Brooke Carlson, Basketball (3.96 GPA)
Avery Wood, Softball (4.00 GPA)
Top Three Male Senior Student-Athletes of the Year
Ben Arens, Cross Country/Track & Field (4.00 GPA)
Luke Stuckey, Cross Country/Track & Field (3.98 GPA)
Justin Vrooman, Cross Country/Track & Field (3.88 GPA)
Women’s Team Academic Award of Excellence
Tennis (3.83 GPA last two semesters)
Men’s Team Academic Award of Excellence
Cross Country (3.31 GPA last two semesters)
Community Engagement
Women’s Team Biggest Community Server
Soccer (511 service hours)
Men’s Team Biggest Community Server
Football (1,220 service hours)
Competition
Female Student-Athlete of the Year (minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA)
Melisa Becerra, Tennis
Emersen Cyza, Volleyball
Klaire Kirsch, Basketball … winner
Shiloh McCool, Basketball
Nicole Messbarger, Track & Field
Male Student-Athlete of the Year (minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA)
Ben Arens, Cross Country/Track & Field
Austin Eldredge, Wrestling … winner
Wes Ferguson, Cross Country/Track & Field
Hunter Kraus, Football
Luke Stuckey, Cross Country/Track & Field
Dr. Tom Kropp Dedication Award (Given to a student-athlete, coach, staff member or volunteer who epitomizes what Dr. Kropp was about as a player, coach, instructor & person)
TJ Davis
Title IX Trailblazers
Sharron Altmaier
Mary Iten
Sherry Morrow
