MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University student-athletes from the 2023-24 academic year were honored at the 'Mustang Athletic Awards Ceremony' held Monday night (April 22) inside the R/A Facility.
 
The SMSU Athletics Department and the SMSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the event.
 
Student-athletes were recognized during the evening for earning All-American, All-Conference, Academic All-Conference and various other awards throughout the year. A total of 60 senior student-athletes, 122 scholar student-athletes and 38 Mustang medalists were honored during the evening.

Senior softball student-athlete Paige Ahrendt from Pipestone, Minn., was named the 2023-24 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while senior baseball player Isaac Nett from Albany, Minn., was named 2023-24 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
Junior women's basketball student-athlete Bri Stoltzman from Mankato Minn., was named the 2023-24 Female Athlete of the Year, while senior wrestler student-athlete Caden Steffen from Zumbrota, Minn., received the 2023-24 Male Athlete of the Year honor.
 
The Female and Male Athletes of the Year are based off accomplishments from spring 2023 through the winter season of 2023-24.
 
Steffen also served as this year's senior student-athlete keynote speaker.
 
SAAC also honored student-athletes with several new awards this year:
 
Female Leadership Award: Heather Arlen, swimming & diving
Male Leadership Award: Kyle Luedtke, men's basketball
 
Female Grit Award: Hannah Parsley, women's basketball
Male Grit Award: Caden Steffen, wrestling
 
Female Sportsmanship Award: Emma VanHeel, volleyball
Male Sportsmanship Award: Dunwa Omot, men's basketball
 
Female Newcomer of the Year Award: Leah Jones, volleyball
Male Newcomer of the Year Award: Aeron Stevens, men's basketball
 
Play of the Year Award: Sydney Johnson, soccer; Game-winning goal in 80^th minute to defeat NSIC champion, St.  Cloud State.
 
The SMSU Athletics Department would like to thank the SMSU Alumni Association and Mustang Club for their support of the program and a special thanks to Ryan Rohlik from Marshall Radio for serving as the program's emcee.