UNK Athletics: Annual Louie's Caps the 2022-23 Year

Eldredge & Kirsch Tabbed as UNK’s Top Student-Athletes

Kearney, Neb. – 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