Jokes, cheers, applause and shiny hardware: Just a few words, out of many, to describe the annual LEAFYs Awards ceremony.

The student-athlete body was invited to the Umble Center this past Sunday to receive awards and support the overall community including the staff that have contributed. The emcee was Joshua Short, a broadcast journalist for WNDU 16 news, presented the awards from the 2023-24 academic and athletic school year, along with other faculty and staff members There were a total of 56 nominees for 14 award categories

Jesse Bontrager, a cross country athlete said that “As a freshman it’s empowering,” said Jesse Bontrager, a cross country and track athlete. “It was exciting, but it was also because we had so many people that we knew that were honored.”

This years LEAFYs added two additional awards: The Live FULL award, which is “Presented to a student-athlete who exemplifies the athletic department core values of faith, unity, learning and leadership,” and the Maple Leaf Courage award, “Presented to a student-athlete who exemplifies the mental strength required to persevere through difficulty,” according to Justin Deweese, assistant athletic director of communications over email.

 

The leafy awards

Team Service Award: Women’s   basketball team 

Moment of the Year: Softball’s walk-off win against UM-Dearborn after trailing the entire game.

Fan of the Year: Leah Stolzfus

Men’s highest team GPA: Tennis

Women’s highest team GPA: Cross Country

Coach of the Year: Rustin Nyce

The Live FULL award: Zion Neat

Maple Leaf Courage Award: Alisyn Catenacci

Male Rookie of the Year: Bruno Barac

Female Rookie of the Year: Blanka Bodow

Male Athlete of the Year: Mathew Keitany

Female Athlete of the Year: Annika Alderfer Fisher

John Ingold Award of Excellence: Nelson Kemboi

Ruth Gunden Award Excellence: Annika Alderfer Fisher