Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications

General 5/7/2025 11:43:00 AM

Annual Louie Awards Recognizes Loper Excellence for the 2024-25 Year

General 5/7/2025 11:43:00 AM

Annual Louie Awards Recognizes Loper Excellence for the 2024-25 Year

Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska Kearney Athletics wrapped up the 2024-25 year with the ninth annual "Louie Awards" Tuesday night (May 6) in the Ponderosa Room of the Nebraskan Student Union. Sandhills Global

Each team was in attendance to honor winners in the categories of "Classroom Excellence", "Community Engagement" and "Competition" with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) having awards as well. The night also recognized the Dr. Tom Kropp and Joan Bailey Award Winners as well as MIAA Scholar Athletes, All-Americans, national award winners, record breakers, and MIAA Champions. Finally, Sandhills Global was a new corporate partner of the event.

The event wasn't held in 2020 and things were handled virtually in 2021. In addition, the awards given out has changed on an annual or semi-annual basis.

Classroom Excellence
Top Three Female Senior Student-Athletes of the Year (senior by academic status)
Ella Buhlke, Cross Country/Track & Field (4.00)
  Kerra Smid, Cross Country/Track & Field (4.00)
  Lexi Stephens, Volleyball (4.00)

Top Three Male Senior Student-Athletes of the Year (senior by academic status)
  Crew Howard, Wrestling (4.00)
Payton Davis, Cross Country/Track & Field (3.97)
  Jake Boley, Wrestling (3.95)

Women's Team Academic Award of Excellence - Cross Country (3.87 GPA last two semesters)

Men's Team Academic Award of Excellence - Cross Country (3.37 GPA last two semesters)

Louie Awards 2025 - Women's Athlete of the Year/Peyton Neff — ***Peyton Neff***

Community Engagement
Women's Team Biggest Community Server - Soccer (350+ service hours)

Men's Team Biggest Community Server - Wrestling (650+ service hours)

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Awards
Female Team Spirit Award - Soccer

Female SAAC Member of the Year - Ava Brummer, Dance

Male Team Spirit Award - Wrestling

Male SAAC Member of the Year - Garret Hoefs, Football

Competition

Louie Awards 2025 - Men's Athlete of the Year/Crew Howard — ***Crew Howard***

Female Student-Athlete of the Year (minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA)
  Peyton Neff, Volleyball ... winner
  Jillian Aschoff, Basketball
Alexis Bernthal, Tennis
Juliana Botero Molina, Golf
Mary Chvatal, Softball
Lily Novacek, Track & Field
Narindra Ranaivo, Tennis
Maggie Waddington, Swimming

Male Student-Athlete of the Year (minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA)
Crew Howard ... winner
Rylan Basart, Track & Field
Payton Davis, Track & Field
Carter Klein, Football
  Zach Ourada, Wrestling
  Hector Serratos, Wrestling
Allen Taylor, Basketball

Dr. Tom Kropp Dedication Award (Given to a student-athlete, coach, staff member or volunteer who epitomizes what Dr. Kropp was about as a player, coach, instructor & person) - Lonny Polacek, Assistant Track Coach & Juliana Botero Molina, Golf

Joan Bailey Award (Given to a student-athlete, coach, staff member or volunteer who) - Dr. Krista Fritson, longtime Sport Psychologist for Loper women's teams

Gallery: (5-7-2025) 2025 Louie Awards

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Players Mentioned

#2 Lexi Stephens: DS/L; 5' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

#23 Allen Taylor: G; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

Maggie Waddington: Junior

Juliana Botero Molina: Senior

Ava Brummer: Sophomore

Ella Buhlke: Junior; Jr./R-So.

Lily Novacek: Redshirt Junior; R-Jr.

Kerra Smid: Senior; Sr.

Jake Boley: 285; Redshirt Junior

Crew Howard: 285; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Lexi Stephens
: 5' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: DS/L

#23 Allen Taylor
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: G

Maggie Waddington
: Junior

Juliana Botero Molina
: Senior

Ava Brummer
: Sophomore

Ella Buhlke
: Junior; Jr./R-So.

Lily Novacek
: Redshirt Junior; R-Jr.

Kerra Smid
: Senior; Sr.

Jake Boley
: Redshirt Junior
: 285

Crew Howard
: Redshirt Junior
: 285