MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University student-athletes from the 2025-26 academic year were honored at the annual 'Mustang Athletics Awards Ceremony' held Monday night (April 27) inside the R/A Facility.
 
The SMSU Athletics Department and the SMSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the event. The 2025-26 year end video was created by SMSU track & field student-athlete, Jack Clark. 

 
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 93 senior student-athletes, 132 scholar student-athletes, 14 NSIC Myles Brand award winners and eight Mustang medalists were honored during the evening.
 
Student-athletes also received awards from the Intercollegiate Athletic Advisory Committee and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
Junior volleyball student-athlete Leah Jones from Marshall, Minn., was named the 2025-26 Female Athlete of the Year, while senior men's basketball student-athlete Jakob Braaten from Byron, Minn., received the 2025-26 Male Athlete of the Year honor.
 
The Female and Male Athletes of the Year are based off accomplishments from spring 2025 through the winter season of 2025-26.
 
Senior cross country and track & field student-athlete Kyra Kusnierek from Eagan, Minn., was named the 2025-26 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while senior baseball student-athlete Evan Behn from Boone, Iowa, was named 2025-26 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
Mustang football student-athlete Eddie Garcia served as this year's senior student-athlete keynote speaker.
 
2025-26 MAAC Award Winners:
 
Female Athlete of the Year: Leah Jones, volleyball
Male Athlete of the Year Jakob Braaten, men's basketball
 
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year: Kyra Kusnierek, cross country / track & field
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year: Evan Behn, baseball
 
Female Leadership Award: Meghan Pundsack, golf
Male Leadership Award: Daniel Olson, cross country / track & field
 
Female Grit Award: Audrey Swanson, women's basketball
Male Grit Award: Josiah Hedensten, football
 
Female Sportsmanship Award: Kennadi Buchholz, women's basketball
Male Sportsmanship Award: Jacob Taplin, wrestling
 
Female Newcomer of the Year Award: Jordyn Marsh, softball
Male Newcomer of the Year Award: Micah Schlaak, men's basketball
 
Mustang Award: Eddie Garcia, football
 
Play/Performance of the Year Award: Brooke Wettersrom, soccer. Scored game-winning goal in the 67^th minute, less than one minute after Sioux Falls tied the game.
 
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.