MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University student-athletes from the 2024-25 academic year were honored at the annual 'Mustang Athletic Awards Ceremony' held Monday night (April 28) 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 72 senior student-athletes, 127 scholar student-athletes and 12 Mustang medalists were honored during the evening. Student-athletes also received awards from the Intercollegiate Athletic Advisory Committee and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
Senior women's basketball student-athlete Bri Stoltzman from Mankato Minn., was named the 2024-25 Female Athlete of the Year, while senior baseball student-athlete Chase McDaniel from Pahrump, Nev., received the 2024-25 Male Athlete of the Year honor.
 
The Female and Male Athletes of the Year are based off accomplishments from spring 2024 through the winter season of 2024-25.
 
Junior volleyball student-athlete Karli Arkell from Lamberton, Minn., was named the 2024-25 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while senior wrestler Sean Howk from New Ulm, Minn., was named 2024-25 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
Mustang track & field student-athlete Lexy Gilbert served as this year's senior student-athlete keynote speaker.

 
2024-25 MAAC Award Winners:
 
Female Athlete of the Year: Bri Stoltzman, women's basketball
Male Athlete of the Year Chase McDaniel, baseball
 
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year: Karli Arkell, volleyball
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Sean Howk, wrestling
 
Female Leadership Award: Heather Arlen, swimming & diving / track & field
Male Leadership Award: Sean Howk, wrestling
 
Female Grit Award: Audrey Swanson, women's basketball
Male Grit Award: Jakob Braaten, men's basketball
 
Female Sportsmanship Award: Emma VanHeel, volleyball
Male Sportsmanship Award: Daniel Olson, men's cross country / track & field
 
Female Newcomer of the Year Award: Sydney Thein, volleyball
Male Newcomer of the Year Award: Parker Knutson, football
 
Play/Performance of the Year Award: Bri Stoltzman, women's basketball. Scoring 41 points on 15 of 19 shooting with eight rebounds and five assists versus Northern State on Jan. 17.  
 
The SMSU Athletics Department would like to thank the SMSU Alumni Association for their support of the program and to Ryan Rohlik from Marshall Radio for serving as the program's emcee.