The Knox College athletics department announced its annual award winners at a ceremony on Thursday evening at Kresge Recital Hall with Lance Miller and Bria Medina earning the Harley Knosher Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards, respectively.
Miller, a junior from Mascoutah, Illinois, was the Prairie Fire’s top distance runner in cross country and on the track, finishing second at the Midwest Conference Cross Country Championship while shattering the school 8K record that had stood for 24 years by nearly 30 seconds. During the indoor season, he placed second in the 5000 meters and fourth in the 3000 meters at the MWC Indoor Championships. Miller then claimed second once again in the 5000 meters at the MWC Outdoor Championships and third in the 1500 meters. During the year, he set program records in the indoor 1500 meters and the outdoor 5000 meters (by 40 seconds) as well.
A sophomore from Tucson, Arizona, Medina was an All-MWC First Team point guard while leading the women’s basketball team to a 15-10 overall record and 10-6 mark in the league. She finished second in the scoring in the conference (18.2 points per game) and free throw percentage (.796), plus tied her own school scoring record (455 points). Additionally, Medina ranked among the top five in the league in assists (3.4 per game, third), steals (2.2 per game, third) and field goal percentage (.455).
Here are the other award winners honored during the ceremony:
Evelyn Bielefeldt Award, given to the senior student-athlete participating on a women’s team with the most outstanding career in intercollegiate athletics — Haylee Carpenter, women’s basketball and softball
John W. Hilding Prize, given to the senior student-athlete participating on a men’s team with the most outstanding career in intercollegiate athletics — Nicolas Lantzendorffer, men’s soccer
Michel Loomis Award, given to the student-athlete participating on a women’s team selected as the “outstanding performer in an individual sport” in a given year — Franny Hilliard, women’s cross country and track and field
Cleave Bridgman Trophy, given to the student-athlete participating on a men’s team selected as the “outstanding performer in an individual sport” in a given year — Jacob Anderson, men’s track and field
Arvid Pierre Zetterberg Jr. Prize for Women, given to student-athlete participating on a women’s team who, during their first year, exemplified the highest quality of character, scholarship and interest in sports — Darby Wallig, women’s soccer and track and field
Arvid Pierre Zetterberg Jr. Prize for Men, given to student-athlete participating on a men’s team who, during their first year, exemplified the highest quality of character, scholarship and interest in sports — Hayden Derlein, baseball
Jeff Sandburg Mental Toughness Award, given to the senior student-athlete who is judged to have dealt most effectively with adversity during their Knox career — Aleene Ramirez, women’s soccer and track and field
Dean S. Trevor Award for Women, given to the senior student-athlete participating on a women’s team who exemplifies the traits of Dean Trevor. Those include competitive excellence, integrity, honesty and commitment to scholarship — Alex Halleck, women’s soccer
Dean S. Trevor Award for Men, given to the senior student-athlete participating on a men’s team who exemplifies the traits of Dean Trevor. Those include competitive excellence, integrity, honesty and commitment to scholarship — Jonathan Sarich, football
Moller Cup, given to the student-athlete participating on a women’s team who, during their junior year, achieved the highest scholastic average while earning letters in two sports — Eileen Sheetz, women’s cross country and track and field
Hunter Trophy, given to the student-athlete participating on a men’s team who, during their junior year, achieved the highest scholastic average while earning letters in two sports — Lance Miller, men’s cross country and track and field
K-Club Award for Women, conferred on the student-athlete participating on a women’s team who maintained an outstanding academic record during their sophomore year, lettered in two sports and is selected by the athletics department staff as contributing most significantly to the athletics program — Cecilia Goodin, women’s cross country and track and field
K-Club Award for Men, conferred on the student-athlete participating on a men’s team who maintained an outstanding academic record during their sophomore year, lettered in two sports and is selected by the athletics department staff as contributing most significantly to the athletics program — Evan McClusky, men’s cross country and track and field
David Agar Athletic Service Award, given to the person or persons with the most outstanding contributions to athletics in a non-competitive capacity — Norma Rodriguez, Executive Assistant and Visit Experience Coordinator
David Robinson Fan of the Year Award, given to the person or persons deemed to have given Knox teams the most sincere and comprehensive support during any given year — Larry Welch, Abbott Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Faculty Athletics Representative
