KEARNEY, Neb. – Nebraska Kearney Athletics wrapped up the 2023-24 year with the eighth annual "Louie Awards" Monday night (May 6) 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". Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) added awards this year. The night also recognized the Dr. Tom Kropp and Joan Bailey Award Winners 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 (senior by academic status)
  Jillian Aschoff, Basketball (3.98 GPA)
  Melisa Becerra, Tennis (3.96)
  Nicole Messbarger, Track & Field (4.00)

Top Three Male Senior Student-Athletes of the Year (senior by academic status)
  Dean Erdkamp, Cross Country/Track & Field (3.84 GPA)
  Ryder Kirsch, Basketball (3.80)
  Zach Van Brocklin, Track & Field (3.89)

Women's Team Academic Award of Excellence - Volleyball (3.77 GPA last two semesters)

Men's Team Academic Award of Excellence - Cross Country (3.46 GPA last two semesters)

Community Engagement
Women's Team Biggest Community Server - Soccer (400 service hours)

Men's Team Biggest Community Server - Wrestling (900 service hours)

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Awards
Female Team Spirit Award - Soccer

Female SAAC Team Member of the Year - Bailee Sobczak, Basketball
 
Male Team Spirit Award - Wrestling

Male SAAC Team Member of the Year - Bailey Torres, Football
 
Competition
Female Student-Athlete of the Year (minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA)
  Melisa Becerra, Tennis ... winner
  Juliana Botero Molina, Golf
  Jaden Ferguson, Volleyball
  Shiloh McCool, Basketball
  Peyton Neff, Volleyball
  Brianna Russell, Track & Field 
  Jazmin Zamorano, Tennis

Male Student-Athlete of the Year (minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA)
  Wes Ferguson, Track & Field ... winner
  Alex Goracke Track & Field 
  Billy Higgins, Wrestling
  Alex Homan, Track & Field
  Nick James, Wrestling
  Zach Ourada, Wrestling
  Brayden Sorensen, 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) - Alex Goracke, Track & Field

Joan Bailey Award (Given to a student-athlete, coach, staff member or volunteer who) - Dr. Janet Steele, longtime volleyball official scorer