SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University Athletic Department recognized and celebrated the achievements of its student-athletes at its sixth annual Cougar Nation Athletic (CNA) Awards, presented by TRUE Community Credit Union, on Sunday evening.
The CNA Awards is a formal, red-carpet event modeled from the well-known ESPYS and created to give the department an opportunity to celebrate and honor the academic, athletic and community excellence achieved by all SAU student-athletes. Awards ranged from the Athletes of the Year to Performance of the Year and Academic Teams of the Year. Nominations for each award were submitted by the SAU Athletics staff, coaches and trainers, and voted on by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
In total 30 awards were handed out to individuals and teams across the department. Among the prominent awards given were the TRUE Community Credit Union Senior, Don McDonald Junior, Kay Dunckel Sophomore and Miriam Sailers Freshman Athletes of the Year.
A complete list of award winners for the 2023 CNA Awards is listed below:
2023 CNA AWARD WINNERS
First Lady Spirit of Sport Award: Maddy Rowley (Softball),
Jamaun Windham (Men's Track & Field)
Culver's Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Jessie Panchaud (Softball),
Landon Raczkowski (Baseball)
Academic Teams of the Year: Volleyball, Men's Basketball
GuideStream Financial Play/Performance of the Year: Lexi Ponstein (Women's Soccer)
GuideStream Financial Community Service Award: Baseball
Biggby Coffee Glue Gal Award: Nicole Clement (Cheer)
Biggby Coffee Glue Guy Award: Nate Flannery (Men's Basketball)
Gene Davis & Sons Catering Reserve Players of the Year: Abbey Hicks (Women's Basketball),
Joshua Blount (Men's Tennis)
Most Likely to be in the Training Room: Nate Flannery (Men's Basketball)
Lean Rocket Lab Cougar Champions Award: Frances Churchwell (Volleyball),
Zach Morse (Men's Cross Country / Track & Field)
Homer Jackson Legacy Award: Becca Mindling (Women's Soccer),
Trevor Rupp (Men's Golf)
Individual Comeback of the Year: Mackenzie Selvius (Women's Soccer)
Team Comeback of the Year: Women's Basketball
Topline Apparel Women's Team of the Year: Women's Soccer
Topline Apparel Men's Team of the Year: Men's Bowling
Staff Member of the Year: Jason Crist
Miriam Sailers Freshman Athletes of the Year: Kendall Bollenbacher (Volleyball),
Gabe Newhof (Men's Basketball)
Kay Dunckel Sophomore Athletes of the Year: Kaylee Beekel (Women's Soccer),
Dean Reynolds (Men's Cross Country / Track & Field)
Don McDonald Junior Athletes of the Year: Alana Nelson (Women's Basketball),
Josiah Fitch (Men's Track & Field)
TRUE Community Credit Union Senior Athletes of the Year: Ariana Stoltzfus (Women's Soccer),
Tommee Smith (Men's Cross Country / Track & Field)
