Homecoming weekend concluded with SMSU’s 8th annual Athletics Celebration of Excellence on Sunday, Oct. 6. Awards honored athletic performance as well as performance in the classroom for the 2012-13 school year. Last year was a record breaking academic year for SMSU athletes, who achieved an overall GPA of 3.05.

“Our student athletes have great character…it was a monumental accomplishment,” said Athletic Director Chris Hmielewski at the event.

In its best academic year since moving to Division II, SMSU saw eight of 12 NCAA sports attain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The volleyball team had the highest GPA, with 3.57.

SMSU President Connie Gores, who attended the event for her first time, extended thanks to the entire SMSU faculty and families of student athletes for their success.

“That’s truly remarkable and truly impressive, given how busy [student athletes] are,” said Gores in her speech. “Congratulations for all the good work for reaching that 3.05.”

Also being celebrated were the 2012 volleyball team, who had a 30-3 overall record, and ranked 6th in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

The event’s student speaker was Devin Diedrich, a member of the 2012 volleyball team. She was one of the celebrated senior student athletes, and a Mustang Medalist for her accomplishments.

“Marshall has been my home away from home…the team has been like a big group of sisters,” spoke Diedrich.

The 2012-13 Scholar Athlete of the Year winners were Amy Dreessen for softball and Nick Smith for men’s basketball. The 2012 Athlete of the Year award winners were Brooke Burmeister for volleyball and Justin Reinsma for wrestling. These were the highest awards of the event.

“[Our] student athletes exemplify what it means to have life in the balance,” said Gores. “I’m especially pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of Mustang student athletes.”

The complete list of winners from the Celebration of Excellence includes:

Second Team All-Conference – Gannon Moore, Brandon Puffer and Joe Stupka for football; Rachel Westby for Volleyball; Jacob Begin and Justin Reinsma for Wrestling; Steven Kramer for Baseball; and Krista Weiszhaar for Golf.

Honorable Mention All-Conference – Tate Bunker, Kyle Johnson and Jake Thiel for Football; and Sonya Smith for Soccer.

Scholar Athlete Awards – Nate Carr, Alex Huls, Adam Iverson, Charlie Kern, Justin Knakmuhs, Will Kurka, Austin Nichols, Tyler Peschong, Lance Schuveiller, Matt Stark, Jake Theil, Dan Timm and Britt Wickett for Football; Amanda Estes for Cross Country; Autumn Hayes, Shayna Smith and Sonya Smith for Soccer; Brooke Burmeister, Ellen Degler, Mary Groth and Christa Wolf for Volleyball; Tramel Barnes and Nick Smith for Men’s Basketball; Hannah Beeler, Ellen Degler, Emilee Duske and Bree Holleman for Women’s Basketball; Ethan Hildebrant, Micah Larson and Cole Wilson for Wrestling; Craig Popper for Wheelchair Basketball; Ryan Ecalbarger, Ryan Engels and Dylan Shoemaker for Baseball; Amy Dreessen, Rachel Groff, Kailey Hanson, Jennifer Johnson, Katelyn Kalkman, Alysse Luttman, Morgan Peterson and Chelsey Rodenkirch for Softball; Abby Gruber, Haley Gudim, Rachel Patnoe and Katelyn Schwartz for Golf; and Katie Kienitz and Allison Niedert for Tennis.

Mustang Senior Awards – Wes Anderson, Sam Bonsu, Jon Cox, Tyler Erickson, Alex Huls, Abe Kos, Warren Matthews, Gannon Moore, Austin Nichols, Patrick Oliver, Ben Pederson, Tyler Peschong, Mark Schollmeyer, Da’Ronte Smith, Matt Stark, Parker Strom, Joe Stupka and Dan Timm for Football; Brooker Burmeister, Devin Diedrich and Mary Groth for Volleyball; Lisa Schroeder, Jason Bentley and Demond Carter for Cross Country; Michael Appel, Tramel Barnes, Jordan Buddenhagen, Jordan Miller, Tyler Peschong and Lavione West for Men’s Basketball; Nathalie Svensson for Women’s Basketball; Chris Hale, Ed Reno and Devin Terry for Wrestling; Jake Tews and Kyle Timmerman for Wrestling; Alex Alvarez, Corby McGlauflin, Brian Ness, Dylan Shoemaker and Kyler Young for Baseball; Amy Dreessen for Softball; and Haley Gudim, Katelyn Schwartz and Krista Weiszhaar for Golf.

Most Valuable Players – Gannon Moore for Football; Sonya Smith for Soccer; Jordan Miller for Men’s Basketball; David Nelson for Wheelchair Basketball; Justin Reinsma for Wrestling; Kyle Young for Baseball; and Amy Dreessen for Softball.

Mustang Medalists – Warren Matthews for Football; Brooke Burmeister, Devin Diedrich, Mary Groth and Abbey Thissen for Volleyball; Jordan Miller for Men’s Basketball; Jacob Begin, Kyle Begin, Ethan Hildebrant, Micah Larson, Travis Peralta and Justin Reinsma for Wrestling; Steven Kramer and Kyle Young for Baseball; Amy Dreessen for Softball; and Rachel Patnoe for Golf.

2012-2013 Male and Female Scholar Athlete of the Year – Amy Dreessen (Softball) and Nick Smith (Men’s Basketball).

2012-2013 Male and Female Athlete of the Year – Brooke Burmeister (Volleyball) and Justin Reinsma (Wrestling).